M I N I S T RY | P R E A C H I N G
Finding Jesus in the Old Testament
A Christ-centered perspective enables us to welcome the Old Testament back to the table without fear. Three complementary lenses can help us see the gospel message in any Old Testament passage: prophecy, typology, and the progressive history of redemption.
Three ways to see the gospel through the ancient text
Fulfillment of Prophecy A defining mark of Christian witness has always been the link between Israel’s prophets and the striking fulfilment of their words in Jesus. The New Testament authors have already interpreted many prophetic passages in light of Jesus, revealing God’s plan of redemption embodied in His Son. On our side of the Crucifixion, it is easy to recognize the hope-filled anticipation of the Savior in the suffering servant oracle of Isaiah 53. Who could miss the messianic reverberations as Nathan relates God’s promise to David about his everlasting throne
By ROBERT M. EBY
I
n nearly every family, there is someone who is awkward, occasionally entertaining, and never predictable. This person’s antics elicit uncomfortable glances between family members and bewildered silence from visiting outsiders. What are we to do? Should we move the Christmas gathering without telling the weird relative, or ignore him or her and hope for the best? Many of today’s sermons treat the Old Testament almost like an eccentric family member — present but frequently a source of discomfort and confusion. At some level, this is understandable. After all, the Old Testament goes on and on about circumcision, relates breathtaking episodes of divine judgment, and tells of heroes who cavort with prostitutes, commit adultery, murder innocent victims, and walk naked through town prophesying. Because of the awkwardness, some preachers opt to leave the Old Testament out of their gatherings. Is this the only solution, or is there a way to connect the ancient text to the current age? The answer lies in Jesus’ relationship to the Old Testament. These 39 books are not just a religious history of primitive forerunners. They represent the raw power of God confronting the hopelessness of humanity with the promise of a Savior. Jesus himself characterized the Scriptures this way (Luke 24:44; John 5:39). Preaching the entire Old Testament compels us to see Jesus on every page. He is there. The preacher’s task is to find Him.
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Fall 2021
Preaching the entire Old Testament compels us to see Jesus on every page. He is there. The preacher’s task is to find Him.
