WATCHWORD:
But as for you, continue what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2
Meditation:
Old Testament Jesus?
You say that Jesus is not mentioned in the Old Testament? You can’t be serious. Are you looking with honest and spiritual eyes? Do you understand what you are reading?
One of the beautiful things about Jesus being the fulfillment of the law is that the Old Testament frequently points directly to him as the Messiah. Please note, it is not like we threw out the Old Testament or rewrote it once Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Granted, the New Testament is added to God’s story, but remember that both are testaments to the truth of who God is. And Jesus is God.
Let’s review and translate: First of all, God has said, “I am God with you, for all time and throughout eternity,” that alone is pretty inclusive, wouldn’t you say? Then consider the name Jesus, which means the Lord saves. They called Him Immanuel, meaning God with us.
From beginning to end, the Bible reflects the glory and the personage of Jesus. The Old Testament is full of prophecies about Jesus and images that foreshadow him. In John 5:39, Jesus says: “You (Jewish people) diligently study the Scriptures (the 39 books of the Tanakh, or Old Testament) and miss the fact that these Scriptures testify about me.”
Then there is the conversation on the road to Emmaus: “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Did not Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Old Testament concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25-27).
I guess we are foolish, trying to find the spiritual Jesus with secular and literal eyes. We don’t quite understand Jesus as “the Angel of the Lord”. It is hard for us to imagine Jesus as the voice from heaven when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac. And don’t forget the voice speaking to Moses from the burning bush. Who do we think the “Redeemer” is who saves Israel from evil?
The truth of this matter is that our Lord Jesus himself is the finest teacher on whether Jesus is to be found in the Old Testament. The Holy Bible that you hold? The story of Jesus. That should be sufficient. So be it.
Open My Eyes :
Open my eyes that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Closing Prayer:
Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Open our eyes that we may see the wonders of your Word; and give us grace that we may clearly understand and freely choose the way of your wisdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
