Glimpses of the Messiah

My dad had many one-liner jokes about the good side of being old, mostly to defend the reality that he was getting on in years. Never once did I hear him put down anything that was old. While I would not apply that to socks, stuff at the back of the frig, or a Windows 95 computer, he did teach me to value what others might consider obsolete.

For instance, many Christians do not bother with the Old Testament. Some have been told it is just that — old. It has no bearing on our lives because supposedly it ‘teaches salvation by works, and since that failed, God had to send Christ.’ This is tragic for several reasons, mostly because that that is a totally not true statement!

Another reason is that by not reading it, people miss out on its teachings. For example, Paul uses a quote from the Psalms to say this:

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:1–4)

The OT has much to teach and encourage us about life, giving us increased hope!

The second reason to value the OT is that it speaks of Christ. He said so when talking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection:

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:25–27)

Some of my favorite books are those that draw out the references to Jesus from the OT and show how He has always been involved in God’s plan for redemption!

Another important connection between the two testaments is how often the OT is quoted in the NT. One of them is cited in today’s devotional reading. The OT prophet Isaiah says this:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1–3)

Several hundred years later, Jesus began His ministry using the OT and connecting Isaiah’s words to Himself:

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:16–22)

At that time, the people loved what Jesus was saying, but note that He stopped right in the middle of what Isaiah said. The Lord’s first appearance on earth fulfilled that purpose — to minister to needy people. The second part of Isaiah’s words (about the day of vengeance of our God . . .) is for the next time He comes.

These and many other connections usually require careful reading and the ability to connect the dots and discern the implications. However, casting half of God’s Word aside results in missing out the wonder of God’s plan to redeem sinners. Without reading the OT, I would miss the fulfillment of prophecy and many of the promises of God. I would also miss out on the way God works in all of history.

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Jesus, thank You for that short clue where You: ‘interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself’ — just enough to know that You can be found in the OT narratives, prophecies, praises, and wisdom. Just enough to prod me to keep reading those ancient books and finding instruction for life, hope for the future, and so many glorious glimpses of You.