What would Jesus say about the Old Testament?

We all have questions about the Old Testament, and it is OK to acknowledge that some of it throws up questions for us culturally, in the way it’s written, and in its content.


Many would say that the Old Testament is irrelevant to our lives BUT...

  • As Christians we believe it is completely relevant because Jesus based his identity and mission in it.

  • Jesus does not see inconsistencies between the Old and New Testaments. He sees one continuous message and one God behind it all. If Jesus thinks that then so should we as his followers.


What does Jesus say the Old Testament is about?

  • Jesus says the Old Testament is ultimately about Him. He is the answer humanity has been searching for.

  • Jesus says it is possible to be searching and miss him – it doesn’t mean he isn’t there, it means we need to pray that he’d open our eyes to see him throughout the Old Testament.

  • Jesus doesn’t criticise people searching for answers, He criticises their attitude – Don’t use your questions as barriers to faith in Jesus, but as bridges through which Jesus can reveal Himself to you.


How does Jesus want us to respond to the Old Testament?

  • He wants us to come and find life in him

  • Two ways to respond:

1) Recommit ourselves to submit to the scriptures

2) Don’t let your questions hold you back from Jesus


Questions:

  • Which parts of the Old Testament does our culture find hard? Which parts do you find easiest and hardest?

  • When you find parts of the Old Testament hard, why is that?

  • Jesus says that the “scriptures cannot be broken” (John 10:35).

  • What does it look like to read the Old Testament assuming we are the one that is broken?

  • Jesus says that all the scriptures are about Him. How do we read the Old Testament so that it leads us to worship Jesus? It might be helpful to watch this video by Tim Keller.

  • How can we as a church model Jesus’ approach to the Old Testament in all that we do?