Sadly, it’s not unusual for the average believer to struggle with the Old Testament – or a majority of it. There are several reasons for this. Some reasons are understandable, but all are inexcusable. Initially, the Bible is a Jewish book, and it is difficult today to acclimate to an eastern mindset when you are from a western culture. Also, the Old Testament covers about 1200 years of history, whereas the New Testament covers only 100 years. The Old Testament is organized into genres instead of being ordered chronologically, so the action and teaching of the New Testament seems less difficult to read. There are more reasons for the hesitance to dig into the Old Testament, but let’s stop here and ask, “What would Jesus say?” What did Jesus Himself say and imply about our vital need to understand the Old Testament?
Remember the two walking on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24? The scene takes place three days after the crucifixion. These two Christ-followers are dejected and disappointed, because they had hoped that Jesus might have been the Messiah. They had no awareness of the resurrection. Jesus joined them in their discussion, but they did not recognize him. They did rebuke Jesus for being unaware of what had taken place – three days before. In verses 25-27 we have a description of Jesus taking control of the conversation. He rebuked these travelers for being dull in their belief of all that the prophets had spoken. The prophets were clear that the Messiah would suffer before entering into His glory. And beginning at Moses [The Torah] and all the prophets, He explained and interpreted for them all these [Old Testament] Scriptures concerning Himself. These two believers later realized and recognized who had been walking and talking with them and how their hearts were burning within them as He opened the Scriptures.
Through this experience, Christ was underlining how important – even vital – it is for us as believers to have a “comprehensive remembrance” of the Old Testament, so that we can acclimate to a “progressive recognition of the revelation” of who Jesus Christ truly is!
What more did Jesus think about the Old Testament?
This study could go on indefinitely, but let’s give you a start by looking at a few very pointed examples.
Jesus, a Jew and a Rabbi, probably quoted a prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 every morning and evening. This is known as the “SHEMA,” a declaration of loyalty of God’s covenant. And some believe that He quoted the entirety of Psalm 22 while suffering during the crucifixion.
Jesus stated in Matthew 5:17-20 that He came, not to abolish the Old Testament, but to fulfill the law and the prophets. He made multiple references to the Old Testament in his conversations about various issues. The conversations began with the question, “Have you not read?” This question obviously pointed to his expectation that they had not taken advantage of the Old Testament writings and teachings.
He made several statements about the unity and sanctity of the entirety of the Scriptures; at that time much of the Old Testament was available. The New Testament was still being written and compiled. “It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.”
(Luke 16:17)
He also stated that “You fall into error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29)
In our next post we will look into what various writers of the New Testament letters have said about the importance of and our vital need for the Old Testament.