In yesterday’s devotion we examined three ways Jesus viewed the Old Testament. In today’s devotion we will examine three more ways our Savior esteemed the OT.
Jesus personally submitted to everything written in the Old Testament (1)
Jesus states this clearly in (Matthew 5:17-19): “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore, anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus did not come to contradict Scripture but to fulfill it. Jesus obeyed everything in the OT because to Him it was God’s Holy Word.
Jesus confirmed some of the most controversial stories in the OT (2)
According to Don Stewart: “In addition, Jesus confirmed some of the most ridiculed stories in the Old Testament. It is almost as though He went out of His way to put His divine approval on them.”1 The following stories are three classic examples: Not only did Jesus believe in the creation account of the universe found in Genesis, but He also believed in the creation of Adam and Eve. We read in (Matthew 19:4): “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. ‘They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” Jesus also believed in the existence of Noah, of a giant ark, and a worldwide flood. In (Matthew 24:37-39) Jesus tells us: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
One addition example is the story of Jonah and the huge fish. Jesus uses this story to illustrate His resurrection when we read: “Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.’ He answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’” (Matthew 12:38-40). It is so important to remember that Jesus was the purest person who ever lived, and He never lied. So as fantastic as some of these stories are if they were made up or exaggerated then this would make Jesus a liar and clearly destroy His claim to deity.
Jesus saw much of the Old Testament speaking about Him (3)
Again, quoting Don Stewart: “Jesus saw the Old Testament as a document that spoke primarily about Him. His life and ministry were the fulfillment of Old Testament teachings.”2 The following three portions of Scripture clearly show this to be the case. (John 5:39): “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” (Matthew 5:17): “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Luke 18:31-33): “Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, ‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.’”
Did Jesus believe the Old Testament? Not only did He believe every one of the 39 inspired books in it, but He also knew that the message it contained was all pointing to Him. So, if Jesus had complete confidence and trust in the Old Testament so should we.
1 What Was Jesus’ View of the Old Testament? by Don Stewart (blueletterbible.org)
2 What Was Jesus’ View of the Old Testament? by Don Stewart (blueletterbible.org)