Knowing Christ in the Old Testament

I can’t think of any more important reason for studying the Old Testament than in the fact that Christ Himself is known through its pages.  For instance, Luke 24:44-45 records these words of Jesus to His disciples following His resurrection:  “And he said unto them, ‘These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms concerning me.’  (45) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.” 

Though I might not be able to find Christ in every verse of scripture, yet from every verse of scripture I can find my way to Christ.  It is no wonder that throughout Christ’s ministry He did everything in fulfillment of the Old Testament.  When He was born, nearly 100 Old Testament passages were fulfilled.  In the course of His ministry the Four Gospels allude or reference over 600 Old Testament scriptures.   Jesus tells us this in John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” 

We learn from Genesis 3:15 that as the “Seed of Eve” He would become involved in a cosmic battle with Satan, and accomplish victory.  We know from Proverbs 30:5 and Psalm 110 that God the Son has been eternally by the Father’s side.  According to Isaiah 6 and John 12:41, this “Son” is as much God as the Father is God.  Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7 tells us that in being God, somehow He would become a man by being virgin born and someday ruling on the Throne of David in Jerusalem.  In Isaiah 55:1 He makes a passionate plea for all those who thirst and are hungry to be filled.  If for nothing else, getting to know Christ through the study of the Old Testament is strong enough reason to survey its contents.