How Does The Old Testament Point To Jesus?
The Old Testament: A Tapestry Pointing to Christ
The Old Testament is often seen as a history of Israel, a collection of laws, poetry, and prophecy. Yet, at its heart, it serves as a grand narrative that anticipates and points forward to Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself affirmed this truth when He said, “These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.” - Luke 24:44 ASV
1. Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus
The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies that find their fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Consider the following examples:
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The Messiah’s Birth: The prophet Isaiah foretold a virgin birth:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. - Isaiah 7:14 ASV
This is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 1:22-23 ASV. -
The Place of Birth: Micah predicted the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem:
But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel… - Micah 5:2 ASV
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The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 gives a vivid description of the suffering and sacrificial death of the coming Servant, fulfilled in Jesus’ crucifixion:
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities... and with his stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5 ASV
2. Types and Shadows of Christ
The Old Testament presents many “types” and “shadows” — people, events, or institutions that prefigure and foreshadow Jesus.
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Adam as a Type of Christ: Paul calls Jesus the “last Adam,” showing that Adam foreshadowed Christ’s role as the head of a new humanity.
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. - 1 Corinthians 15:22 ASV
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The Passover Lamb: The Passover sacrifice foreshadows Jesus as the ultimate Lamb of God, whose blood brings deliverance:
For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ. - 1 Corinthians 5:7 ASV
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Moses and the Exodus: Moses led the Israelites out of slavery; Jesus leads us out of bondage to sin.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. - John 1:17 ASV
3. The Law and Sacrificial System
The law and sacrificial system were never meant to be ends in themselves. They pointed to humanity’s need for a Savior and the ultimate sacrifice to come.
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The Day of Atonement: The annual sacrifices for sin pointed to the one perfect sacrifice:
But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. - Hebrews 10:3-4 ASV
But he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. - Hebrews 10:12 ASV
4. Jesus’ Own Testimony
Jesus made it clear that the Scriptures testify about Him:
And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. - Luke 24:27 ASVHe also declared:
Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me. - John 5:39 ASV
5. The Promise of a New Covenant
The prophets foretold a coming new covenant, fulfilled in Jesus:
Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel… I will put my law in their inward parts… and I will forgive their iniquity… - Jeremiah 31:31-34 ASVJesus proclaimed at the Last Supper:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you. - Luke 22:20 ASV
Conclusion: The Old Testament’s Unified Testimony
The Old Testament is not merely background for the New; it is a unified story that finds its climax in Jesus Christ. From prophecies and types to the sacrificial system and the very promises of God, all Scripture points us to the Savior. As followers of Christ, we are called to read the Old Testament with eyes open to the glory of Jesus, the One who fulfills all of God’s promises.