Introduction
The Bible is a unified story that reveals God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Central to this narrative is Jesus Christ. While the New Testament explicitly introduces Jesus, the Old Testament anticipates and foreshadows Him in many profound ways. Jesus is not an afterthought in the biblical narrative; rather, He is its very foundation, present from the beginning and throughout the Scriptures.
Jesus' Own Testimony About the Old Testament
Jesus Himself declared that the Old Testament Scriptures testify about Him. During His earthly ministry, He confronted religious leaders who studied the Hebrew Scriptures with diligence but missed their central message—Jesus Himself.
In John 5:39–40, 46, Jesus says:
"You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life... If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me."
Here, Jesus affirms that Moses, the author of the Torah, pointed forward to Him. He also indicates that the life-giving message of Scripture is fulfilled in Himself.
Jesus Fulfills Old Testament Prophecy
Throughout His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled over 300 specific prophecies found in the Old Testament. These include:
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His virgin birth — Isaiah 7:14
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His mission to the brokenhearted — Isaiah 61:1
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His atoning death — Isaiah 53
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His crucifixion experience — Psalm 22
For instance, prior to His crucifixion, Jesus quoted Isaiah 53:12, applying it directly to Himself:
"It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me." (Luke 22:37)
After His resurrection, on the road to Emmaus, Jesus taught two of His disciples how the entire Old Testament—from the Law of Moses through the Prophets—was pointing to His suffering, death, and glory.
Luke 24:25–27 records:
"Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself."
Theophanies: Appearances of God in Human Form
A common objection to the divinity of Jesus is that "God is not a man" (Numbers 23:19), and that God does not change (Malachi 3:6). While these are true regarding God's eternal nature, they do not preclude God from revealing Himself in human form temporarily—nor from entering the world through the Incarnation for redemptive purposes.
In the Old Testament, there are several appearances of God in human form, known as theophanies or Christophanies. These are pre-incarnate appearances of Christ—God manifesting in human form before the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
1. God Appears to Abraham (Genesis 18)
The Lord (Yahweh) appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre in the form of a man. Abraham recognized the divine nature of his visitor and bowed in reverence.
2. God Wrestles with Jacob (Genesis 32:24–30)
Jacob wrestled with a “man” until dawn and afterward declared, “I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” This mysterious figure is commonly understood as a pre-incarnate Christ.
3. God Appears to Samson’s Parents (Judges 13)
The “angel of the Lord” appeared to Manoah and his wife. This angel is distinguished from other angelic beings by accepting worship and speaking as God Himself. Manoah declared, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God!”
These episodes demonstrate that while God is not a man in essence, He has chosen to reveal Himself in human form for specific purposes. These appearances foreshadow the ultimate self-revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
The Incarnation of Jesus Christ
The Incarnation is the act of the eternal Son of God taking on human nature. This is not a contradiction of God’s nature, but a mystery of divine humility and love. The apostle Paul describes this in Galatians 4:4–5:
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law.”
The Incarnation was necessary for two reasons:
1. To Fulfill the Law on Our Behalf
As human beings, we have failed to meet God’s perfect standard. Jesus lived a sinless life and fulfilled the Law completely (Matthew 5:17). By doing so, He became our perfect representative.
2. To Shed Blood for the Forgiveness of Sins
The Law required a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22). Therefore, Jesus had to possess a real human body. Hebrews 10:5 explains:
“When Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me.’”
Through His death on the cross, Jesus bore the sins of the world and secured redemption for all who believe in Him.
Jesus’ Role in God’s Eternal Plan
Jesus did not merely appear on the scene during the New Testament. According to John 1:1–3, He was present in the beginning and involved in creation:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... Through Him all things were made.”
The entire Bible—Old and New Testaments—is a Christ-centered narrative. The Law, the Prophets, the Writings, and the Psalms all anticipate the coming of the Messiah who would save humanity.
Responding to God's Love in Christ
The Bible’s central message is that although all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), God has demonstrated His love by sending Christ to die for sinners (Romans 5:8). The gift of salvation—eternal life through Jesus—is freely offered to all (Romans 6:23).
Paul affirms in Romans 10:9:
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Conclusion
The Old Testament is not merely a backdrop to the life of Jesus—it is a profound testimony of God’s plan, pointing forward to Him in types, shadows, prophecies, and direct appearances. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He is the living Word who became flesh to bring redemption to the world. The Incarnation was not a divine improvisation but the climax of God’s eternal redemptive plan. Recognizing Jesus in the Old Testament enriches our understanding of the whole Bible and deepens our faith in God’s unchanging love.
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