When the apostles poured over the Old Testament scrolls, they saw more than ancient history or prophetic utterances—they saw Christ illuminated on every page. From the creation narrative in Genesis to the final messianic prophecies of Malachi, the Scriptures weave an intricate tapestry that prefigures, anticipates, and heralds the redemption God would accomplish through His Son, Jesus Christ. This conviction—that Christ is the beating heart of all Scripture and the master key to its proper interpretation—has been the cornerstone of Biblical hermeneutics since the church’s inception.

But how does this grand collection of books, penned over millennia by a diverse array of authors, find its ultimate fulfillment in one person? The answer lies in the divine authorship and sovereign orchestration of God, who meticulously arranged events and inspired the writing of Scripture to unveil His redemptive purposes across the ages.

The Apostolic Model for Reading the Old Testament: The apostles discerned Christ throughout the Old Testament because they grasped a fundamental truth: God’s revelation was progressively unfolding, with its magnificent climax in Jesus. This lens of interpretation wasn’t mere allegorising; it was a Spirit-inspired insight into the very nature of God’s redemptive plan.

• Example 1: The Apostle Paul, with his rabbinical background, saw profound Christological significance in Israel’s exodus experience (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). Paul saw in the Red Sea crossing not just a historical event, but a foreshadowing of Christian baptism and a powerful illustration of God’s judgement and mercy—judgement on the enemies of His people (the Egyptians) and mercy for those who trust in Him (the Israelites).
• Example 2: Jesus himself modelled this Christ-centered reading of the Old Testament. In the poignant scene on the road to Emmaus, the risen Christ joins two discouraged disciples. Jesus didn’t just cherry-pick a few messianic prophecies (Luke 24:27); He demonstrated how the entire sweep of the Old Testament—its narratives, laws, poems, and prophecies—pointed to Him.

Christ in Old Testament Promises: The Old Testament is replete with promises that foreshadow the coming Messiah. These divine pledges, scattered throughout the narrative, create a crescendo of anticipation for the Redeemer.

• Example 1: The first messianic promise, often called the protoevangelium (first gospel), is found in Genesis 3:15. In the aftermath of humanity’s fall, God declares to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” This cryptic pronouncement is the seed from which the entire redemptive story grows. It foretells the cosmic conflict between the offspring of the woman (ultimately Christ) and the offspring of the serpent (the forces of evil), culminating in the decisive victory of Christ over sin and Satan, albeit at great cost to Himself.
• Example 2: Another pivotal promise is found in God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:3. This promise of universal blessing through Abraham’s lineage finds its fulfillment in Christ, the ultimate seed of Abraham. The Apostle Paul elaborates on this in Galatians 3:16, stating, “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ.”

Christ in Old Testament Prophecies: Beyond general promises, the Old Testament has numerous specific prophecies that point unmistakably to Christ. These prophetic utterances, often given centuries before their fulfillment, prove the divine orchestration of salvation history. READ OUR POST: How Jesus Fulfilled Impossible Prophecies: Against Quintillion-to-One Odds

• Example 1: Remember Isaiah 7:14? This extraordinary prophecy finds its fulfillment in the miraculous conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Matthew’s Gospel explicitly connects this prophecy to Jesus’ birth, underscoring the events of Christ’s life were not happenstance but the unfolding of God’s eternal plan.
• Example 2: Micah 5:2 provides another striking messianic prophecy: This prophecy not only pinpoints the birthplace of the Messiah but also hints at His eternal nature. Matthew 2:1-6 recounts how the chief priests and scribes cited this very prophecy when Herod inquired about the birthplace of the King of the Jews.

Christ in Types and Shadows: The Old Testament is a rich tapestry of types and shadows—persons, places, things, and events that serve as divinely designed foreshadows of Christ. These types are not mere coincidences, but intentional patterns woven into the fabric of redemptive history. READ OUR POST: Types of Christ and His Cross in the Old Testament

In Persons:

• Example 1: Adam, the first man, is a type of Christ. Paul draws this parallel in Romans 5:14, calling Adam “a type of the one who was to come.” Just as Adam’s disobedience brought sin and death to all humanity, Christ’s perfect obedience brings righteousness and life to all who believe in Him. Adam represents fallen humanity; Christ is the head of a new, redeemed humanity.
• Example 2: Melchizedek, the mysterious king-priest of Salem, is another powerful type of Christ. Hebrews 7 elaborates on this typology, showing how Melchizedek’s unique priesthood—not based on Levitical descent—prefigures Christ’s eternal, superior priesthood. Like Melchizedek, Christ is both king and priest, bringing righteousness and peace.

In Things:

• Example 1: The Passover lamb, instituted in Exodus 12, is a vivid type of Christ. The unblemished lamb, whose blood protected the Israelites from judgment, foreshadows Jesus, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Paul explicitly makes this connection in 1 Corinthians 5:7, declaring, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
• Example 2: The bronze serpent lifted up in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9) is another striking type of Christ. When the Israelites were dying from venomous snake bites, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it on a pole. Anyone who looked at it in faith was healed. Jesus Himself drew this parallel in John 3:14-15, saying, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

In Places:

• Example 1: The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, serve as types of Christ. These sacred spaces where God dwelt among His people prefigure Jesus, who “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The Greek word translated “dwelt” literally means “tabernacled.” Just as the Tabernacle was the place of God’s presence and the site of sacrifice, Christ is now the place where we meet God and find atonement.
• Example 2: The cities of refuge in the Old Testament (Numbers 35:9-34) typify Christ as our refuge from divine judgment. These cities provided protection for those who had accidentally caused someone’s death. Similarly, Christ is our city of refuge, protecting us from the judgment we deserve for our sins. Hebrews 6:18 alludes to this, speaking of those “who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.”

In Events:

• Example 1: The Exodus from Egypt is a monumental event that typifies Christ’s redemption. Just as God delivered Israel from physical bondage in Egypt, Christ delivers His people from spiritual bondage to sin. The crossing of the Red Sea prefigures baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-2), and the provision of manna in the wilderness foreshadows Christ as the true bread from heaven (John 6:32-35).
• Example 2: The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is another significant event that typifies Christ’s atoning work. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 9-10 extensively develops this typology, showing how Christ, as both perfect high priest and perfect sacrifice, has entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven, obtaining eternal redemption for His people.

Christ in the Law and Prophets: Jesus emphatically stated that He did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). This fulfillment is comprehensive, encompassing every aspect of the Old Testament revelation.

Conclusion: The Old Testament is far from a disconnected anthology of ancient writings. Rather, it is a unified, divinely orchestrated narrative that finds its climax and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. By understanding how the promises, prophecies, types, and shadows of the Old Testament point to Christ, we gain a richer, more profound appreciation for the work He accomplished through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection.

This Christ-centered reading of the Old Testament isn’t a New Testament innovation or a fanciful reinterpretation. Instead, it’s the key that unlocks the deepest meanings of these ancient texts, revealing the consistent purpose of God throughout history. As the author of Hebrews declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8)—the same Savior promised from the dawn of human history, revealed in the fullness of time, and reigning in glory forevermore.

In light of this grand narrative, we’re invited to read the Old Testament with new eyes, seeing on every page glimpses of the One who would come to seek and save the lost. This approach not only enriches our understanding of Scripture but also deepens our worship of the God who, from before the foundation of the world, purposed to redeem a people for Himself through His beloved Son.

Jesus in the Old Testament: Related FAQS

• Why is it important to see Christ in the Old Testament? Seeing Christ in the Old Testament helps us understand the unity and continuity of God’s redemptive plan throughout Scripture. It enriches our understanding of Jesus’ role and identity and deepens our appreciation for God’s sovereign orchestration of salvation history.
• How did Jesus Himself view the Old Testament? Jesus viewed the Old Testament as authoritative Scripture that spoke about Him. He often quoted from it and taught that it pointed to Him, as seen in Luke 24:27 where He explained to His disciples how all the Scriptures spoke of Him.
• What is typology in biblical interpretation? Typology is a method of biblical interpretation where persons, events, or things in the Old Testament are seen as foreshadowing or prefiguring aspects of Christ or New Testament realities. It’s based on the belief that God designed earlier biblical events and institutions to prefigure later ones, especially those related to Christ and His redemptive work.
• Are all Old Testament passages meant to be interpreted as directly referring to Christ? While Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Old Testament, not every passage is a direct prophecy or type of Him. Some passages primarily address their immediate historical context, but still contribute to the overall redemptive narrative that culminates in Christ.
• How can understanding Christ in the Old Testament impact a Christian’s faith? Recognising Christ in the Old Testament can deepen a Christian’s faith by revealing the consistency of God’s plan throughout history. It can also enrich Bible study, enhance appreciation for God’s wisdom and foresight, and provide a more holistic understanding of Christ’s person and work.

Related Reads:

• Is Jesus the Jewish Messiah? Seven Arguments You Can’t Ignore
• Why do We Affirm Jesus is Fully God and Fully Man?
• Affirm the Virgin Birth? Why Must We?