In prophecies and pictures, contrasts and types, every page and passage of the Old Testament points to Jesus. This is a huge claim, but it is one that Jesus himself and his Apostles made very clear.
Here are 7 passages that show us that all of Scripture is about Jesus Christ:
Passage 1: Luke 24
In perhaps the most black-and-white of the claims, Jesus says that he is the subject of the Old Testament. And he’s not merely talking about vague references, either. He says the Scriptures make plain that the Messiah would suffer and die, rise into glory, and give forgiveness of sins in his name! This means that Christ and the gospel are hidden on every page and every passage, if we have eyes to see. He even marveled that his disciples could not get this, calling them “slow of heart to believe” the Old Testament!
- And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” [27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. …Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms (these are the 3 divisions of the Old Testament – including every book!) must be fulfilled.” [45] Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46] and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Luke 24:25-27, 44-47 ESV)
Passage 2: John 5
Here again Jesus very clearly points to himself as the subject of the Scriptures:
- You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, [40] yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. …For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. [47] But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”(John 5:39-40, 46-47 ESV)
Moses, who wrote the first 5 books of the Bible, wrote about Jesus! Think of the stories included in these books: Abraham and Isaac, the Passover lamb, the sacrifices in Leviticus, the Priesthood in Numbers, the laws of the King in Deuteronomy 17, and so much more. ALL about Jesus.
Passage 3: Acts 10
We’ve seen Jesus’ claims. What about the apostles? In Acts 10 we see that Peter also believes that all of Scripture points to Jesus.
- To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”(Acts 10:43 ESV)
All the prophets spoke of Jesus and the gospel! Jonah? Yes, that pictures Christ. Obadiah and Nahum? Jesus the Judge. Isaiah? Yes, when he saw the Lord high and lifted up, he was looking at the Son of God!
Passage 4: 2 Corinthians 1
Now we come to Paul. And we are not surprised to learn that Paul agrees with Jesus and Peter.
- For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV)
All the promises of God are fulfilled (find their ‘Yes’) in Jesus. All of them!
Passage 5: Colossians 2
Paul also speaks of the Law as being about Jesus. The Law was a shadow, but Jesus is the substance!
- Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. [17] These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.(Colossians 2:16-17 ESV)
Passage 6: 2 Timothy 3
In Paul’s letter to Timothy he mentions Timothy’s faith in Christ, which he got from the ‘sacred writings,’ or the Old Testament Scriptures! (thanks to Vic Connell for pointing this one out!)
- …and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.(2 Timothy 3:15 ESV)
Passage 7: Hebrews 10
Finally, the author of Hebrews is also in agreement. Quoting the Old Testament as the words of Jesus himself, he records:
- Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; [6] in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. [7] Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” (Hebrews 10:5-7 ESV)
The Scriptures, in both the old and new testaments, agree, overlap, flow together and join into one great story of Jesus Christ. They point to the forgiveness of sins that come through his name alone. What encouragement we have, knowing that all of God’s revealed word is pointing us to come to him through his Son, Jesus Christ!
When we have Jesus, we have enough.
The Church at Meadowlake 