How Is Jesus Connected to the Old Testament?
Because every page of Scripture whispers His name.
Maybe you’ve opened the Bible hoping to find hope — but got stuck in the book of Leviticus, wondering why priests are sprinkling blood on altars.
Maybe you’ve heard that Jesus brings grace, but the Old Testament seems full of wrath.
Maybe you’ve wondered, “Is the Old Testament even relevant anymore?”
If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. Many people love Jesus but avoid the Old Testament — not realizing that to truly understand who Jesus is, we must see Him through the lens of the Old Testament. Without it, the Gospel feels like a movie starting halfway through.
Here’s the truth that changes everything:
Jesus is not just in the New Testament. He is the fulfillment of the Old.
From Genesis to Malachi, the entire story was always pointing to Him.
If we miss this, we miss the full glory of the Gospel. But if we see it — if we understand how Jesus connects to the Old Testament — our hearts will burn like the disciples’ did on the road to Emmaus.
Let’s walk through that story — the one story that binds all of Scripture together — and see Jesus at the center of it all.
🧭 One Central Truth: Jesus Fulfills the Old Testament
Jesus Himself said:
“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.” (Matthew 5:17)
He didn’t come to erase the Old Testament — He came to complete it. Every command, every sacrifice, every prophecy, every poem — all of it was about Him.
This isn’t poetry. It’s prophecy fulfilled.
Let’s walk through 10 major ways Jesus is connected to — and completes — the Old Testament.
📖 1. The First Gospel: Jesus in Genesis 3:15
Right after the fall of humanity, while Adam and Eve stood trembling in shame, God gave a promise — not punishment:
“I will put enmity between you and the woman… he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
This is the protoevangelium — the first Gospel.
It speaks of a descendant of Eve who would crush the serpent’s head, even as He Himself is wounded.
That descendant is Jesus Christ.
He was wounded on the cross — but in that death, He defeated Satan, sin, and death forever.
From the third chapter of the Bible, the shadow of the cross was already cast.
🕊️ 2. The Sacrificial System: Jesus Is the Perfect Lamb
The Law of Moses is full of sacrifices — bulls, goats, lambs, doves. Why?
“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22)
But these animal sacrifices were temporary, symbolic.
“It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4)
They were shadows of a greater reality — pointing to a final, perfect sacrifice:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
Jesus is the Lamb.
He was spotless.
He was sacrificed.
And His blood doesn’t cover sin temporarily — it washes it away forever.
🕍 3. The Temple: Jesus Is the Dwelling Place of God
The temple was the heart of Israel’s worship. It was where heaven met earth.
But Jesus said something shocking:
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19)
“He was speaking about the temple of His body.” (v. 21)
Jesus is the true temple.
He is where we meet God.
He is the place where sacrifice is made, sin is forgiven, and God dwells with us.
And now, because of Him, we are temples too — filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).
👑 4. The Promised King: Jesus Is the Son of David
God made a promise to King David:
“I will raise up your offspring… and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12–13)
At first, that seemed to be Solomon. But Solomon failed. Every king after him did too — until Jesus.
The angel told Mary:
“The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign forever.” (Luke 1:32–33)
Jesus is the true King — not just of Israel, but of the entire world.
And His kingdom has no end.
📜 5. The Law: Jesus Is the Righteous One
The Law given at Sinai was good — but we were not.
The Ten Commandments reflect God’s holiness. But no one has kept them perfectly.
Except Jesus.
“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth.” (1 Peter 2:22)
He fulfilled every part of the Law (Matthew 5:17).
He obeyed where we disobeyed.
Then He took our penalty — the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13) — so we could be free.
Now, we are no longer under the Law as a means of salvation — because Christ fulfilled it.
🔥 6. The Prophets: Jesus Is the Long-Awaited Messiah
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah — they all pointed forward to someone coming.
Isaiah 7:14 — “The virgin will conceive…”
Micah 5:2 — “From Bethlehem will come a ruler…”
Isaiah 53 — “He was pierced for our transgressions…”
All fulfilled in Jesus — down to the detail.
“Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer…?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them… the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24:26–27)
The prophets weren’t predicting vaguely.
They were writing His biography before He was born.
🧱 7. The Exodus: Jesus Is the Greater Deliverer
Moses led the people out of slavery in Egypt — but their hearts were still chained to sin.
Jesus came to bring a new Exodus:
“Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin… If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34–36)
Moses gave the Law on stone tablets.
Jesus writes His Law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).
Moses brought manna.
Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35).
🎯 8. The Feasts and Festivals: Jesus Is the Substance
Every feast in the Old Testament was a signpost:
- Passover – Jesus is the slain Lamb.
- Unleavened Bread – Jesus is sinless.
- Firstfruits – Jesus is the first to rise from the dead.
- Day of Atonement – Jesus is our High Priest and our Sacrifice.
“These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 2:17)
He’s not just part of the story — He is the story.
🪞 9. The Psalms and Writings: Jesus in Song and Suffering
Psalm 22 – “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Psalm 16 – “You will not let Your Holy One see corruption.”
Psalm 110 – “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand…’”
David sang of Jesus centuries before Bethlehem.
Even Job, in his agony, cried out:
“I know that my Redeemer lives…” (Job 19:25)
The Old Testament is filled with the ache — and the anticipation — of Jesus.
🌍 10. The Covenant with Abraham: Jesus Is the Blessing for All Nations
God told Abraham:
“Through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 22:18)
Paul explains:
“The promises were spoken… to your seed… meaning one person, who is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16)
Jesus is the offspring — and now, anyone, anywhere who believes in Him becomes part of Abraham’s family.
This promise wasn’t just for Jews.
It was for you.
✨ Why This Truth Changes Everything
When you see Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament:
- The Bible becomes one story, not two disconnected halves.
- The Law becomes a mirror, showing your need — and Jesus as the answer.
- The Prophets become hope, not just history.
- The cross becomes the center of all time.
Jesus said:
“You search the Scriptures… yet you refuse to come to Me.” (John 5:39–40)
He wasn’t criticizing Scripture — but showing that Scripture points to Him.
If we miss that, we miss the heart of the Bible.
📣 Come to Jesus — the Fulfillment of All Things
All of history led to a hill called Calvary.
All the promises of God found their “Yes” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).
And now, all of it comes down to this question:
Will you come to Him?
He is the Lamb who takes away your sin.
He is the King who will never fail you.
He is the fulfillment of every longing, every prophecy, every shadow.
You don’t need religion.
You need Jesus.
🙏 A Simple Prayer to Respond
“Jesus, I see now that all of Scripture points to You. You are the Lamb, the King, the Savior. I confess my sin, my need, and I turn to You in faith. Fulfill in me the promise You made — to forgive, to restore, and to give eternal life. I trust You. Amen.”
📖 Next Steps:
- Read Luke 24 — the full story of Jesus opening the Old Testament for His disciples.
- Start the Gospel of John to meet Jesus in full.
- Get into a church that teaches the whole Bible as one story — centered on Christ.
The Old Testament wasn’t replaced.
It was fulfilled.
In Jesus — for you.