How the Old Testament Points to Jesus

Discovering Christ Throughout the Story of Scripture

Many people think the Old Testament is primarily a collection of ancient stories, laws, kings, prophets, and historical events. While it contains all of these things, the Old Testament is also preparing the way for Jesus Christ.

From Genesis to Malachi, God is revealing His plan of redemption. The promises, covenants, sacrifices, prophecies, symbols, and events of the Old Testament all point forward to the coming Messiah.

Jesus Himself taught that the Scriptures testified about Him.

After His resurrection, Jesus explained to His followers how the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms pointed to Him and His mission.

Understanding how the Old Testament points to Jesus helps us see the Bible as one unified story centered on God’s plan of salvation.

Every Promise Leads to Jesus

Jesus in the Promise of Genesis

The first promise of a coming Savior appears shortly after humanity’s fall into sin.

After Adam and Eve sinned, God promised that one day the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’s head.

This promise begins a theme that runs throughout the entire Bible.

Even in humanity’s darkest moment, God revealed His plan to send a Redeemer.

Jesus in God’s Covenant with Abraham

God promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his descendants.

This promise extended far beyond Abraham’s immediate family.

Through Jesus Christ, people from every nation can receive God’s blessing, salvation, and forgiveness.

The covenant with Abraham points forward to God’s worldwide plan of redemption through Christ.

Jesus in the Passover

One of the clearest Old Testament pictures of Jesus is found in the Passover.

When God delivered Israel from Egypt, each family sacrificed a lamb and placed its blood on the doorposts of their homes.

The blood of the lamb protected them from judgment and led to their deliverance.

Jesus became the ultimate Passover Lamb.

His sacrificial death provides forgiveness and deliverance from sin for all who trust in Him.

Jesus in the Sacrificial System

Throughout the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered for sin.

Animals were sacrificed as symbols of atonement and reconciliation with God.

These sacrifices pointed forward to the perfect sacrifice that Jesus would offer through His death on the cross.

Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament, Jesus offered Himself once for all.

His sacrifice accomplished what animal sacrifices could never fully achieve.

Jesus in the Tabernacle and Temple

The Tabernacle and later the Temple represented God’s presence among His people.

They were places of worship, sacrifice, prayer, and fellowship with God.

Jesus fulfilled what the Tabernacle and Temple symbolized.

Through Christ, God came to dwell among His people.

Because of Jesus, believers now have direct access to God.

Jesus in the Offices of Prophet, Priest, and King

The Old Testament revealed three important leadership roles.

Prophets spoke God’s Word.

Priests represented people before God.

Kings ruled God’s people.

Jesus perfectly fulfills all three roles.

He is the ultimate Prophet who reveals God.

He is the Great High Priest who intercedes for His people.

He is the King of Kings who reigns forever.

Jesus in the Life of Moses

Moses delivered God’s people from slavery and served as a mediator between God and Israel.

Jesus provides an even greater deliverance.

He rescues people from slavery to sin and becomes the perfect mediator between God and humanity.

Moses pointed forward to the greater Savior who would come.

Jesus in King David

God promised David that one of his descendants would reign forever.

The prophets repeatedly connected the coming Messiah to the line of David.

Jesus was born into David’s family and fulfills God’s promise of an eternal King.

He reigns not only over Israel but over all creation.

Jesus in the Psalms

Many Psalms point directly to Christ.

Some describe His suffering.

Others describe His kingship.

Still others celebrate His victory and eternal reign.

The Psalms help us understand both the humanity and divinity of Jesus.

They also reveal the Messiah’s suffering long before His crucifixion.

Jesus in the Prophets

The prophets repeatedly foretold the coming Messiah.

They predicted:

His birth

His lineage

His ministry

His suffering

His death

His resurrection

His kingdom

Books such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Micah, and Zechariah contain remarkable prophecies that find fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Jesus in Isaiah’s Suffering Servant

Isaiah 53 provides one of the clearest pictures of Jesus in the entire Old Testament.

The prophet describes a servant who would suffer for the sins of others.

He would be rejected, wounded, and bear the punishment that belonged to humanity.

Christians recognize this prophecy as a powerful description of Jesus’ sacrificial death.

Jesus in Jonah

Jonah spent three days in the great fish before being delivered.

Jesus used Jonah’s experience as a sign pointing to His own death, burial, and resurrection.

Just as Jonah emerged after three days, Jesus rose from the grave on the third day.

Jesus in the Feasts and Festivals

The feasts given to Israel point toward Christ.

Passover points to Jesus as the Lamb of God.

Firstfruits points to His resurrection.

Pentecost points to the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Day of Atonement points to His work as our High Priest.

The Feast of Tabernacles points to God’s presence dwelling with His people.

The biblical festivals reveal God’s redemptive plan through Christ.

Jesus in the Entire Story

The Old Testament is not merely preparation for Jesus. It is filled with shadows, symbols, promises, and prophecies that find their fulfillment in Him.

Every major section of the Old Testament points toward Christ.

The Law points to our need for a Savior.

The Prophets announce His coming.

The Psalms celebrate His reign.

The stories reveal God’s unfolding plan of redemption.

What Jesus Said About the Old Testament

Jesus taught that the Old Testament pointed to Him.

After His resurrection, He explained to His disciples how Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms spoke about Him.

The early church understood that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises throughout Scripture.

Reading the Old Testament through the lens of Christ helps us better understand its purpose and message.

Why This Matters

When we understand how the Old Testament points to Jesus, the Bible becomes one connected story rather than two separate collections of books.

We see God’s faithfulness across generations.

We recognize how God’s promises unfold throughout history.

Most importantly, we discover that from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is ultimately about God’s plan to save and restore His people through Jesus Christ.