Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament

The Old Testament is not just a prelude to the New—it is a divine revelation of God’s plan of redemption, pointing continually to the coming of Jesus Christ. Through prophecy, foreshadowing, poetry, and law, the Old Testament reveals the heart of God and His promise to send a Savior. This teaching explores five key ways Jesus is revealed in the Old Testament.

1. Direct Prophecies About the Messiah

These passages explicitly foretell Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection:

• Isaiah 7:14 – Born of a virgin (fulfilled in Matthew 1:22–23)

• Micah 5:2 – Born in Bethlehem (fulfilled in Matthew 2:1–6)

• Isaiah 53:3,5 – Despised, rejected, and pierced for our transgressions

• Psalm 16:10 – Resurrection foretold (fulfilled in Acts 2:27–31)

2. Messianic Types and Shadows

Many people and events in the Old Testament point to Jesus:

• Adam – The first man; Jesus is the Second Adam (Romans 5:12–19)

• Joseph – Betrayed and exalted to save many

• Passover Lamb – Jesus is our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7)

• Tabernacle – Every part symbolized Jesus’ work (Hebrews 9)

3. Suffering Servant and Coming King

The Old Testament presents a Messiah who suffers and reigns:

• Isaiah 53 – Describes Jesus’ suffering and sacrificial death

• Zechariah 9:9 – Predicts Jesus’ triumphal entry on a donkey (fulfilled in Matthew 21:5)

4. Psalms That Speak of Christ

The Psalms are rich with prophetic imagery:

• Psalm 22 – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (quoted by Jesus on the cross)

• Psalm 110 – Speaks of the Messiah’s divine authority (cited in the Gospels and Hebrews)

5. The Law and the Prophets as a Whole

Jesus confirmed that all of Scripture points to Him. On the road to Emmaus, He explained the writings of Moses and the Prophets as a unified testimony about Himself (Luke 24:27). The law reveals our need for a Savior, and the prophets declare His coming.

Conclusion: Jesus Is the Thread of Redemption

From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament is a treasure trove of revelation pointing forward to Jesus Christ. He is the promised Seed, the Passover Lamb, the suffering Servant, and the righteous King. To read the Old Testament with eyes on Jesus is to see the unfolding of God’s love across time—and the arrival of His Son as the fulfillment of every promise.

He is:

• The Seed who will crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15),
• The Lamb provided for sacrifice (Genesis 22),
• The Rock in the wilderness (Exodus 17),
• The Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23),
• The One who stands in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3),
• And the Shepherd who gathers His sheep (Ezekiel 34).

The Old Testament is not about rules. It’s about rescue. It’s not just history. It’s hope.

It’s about Jesus. Always has been. Always will be.