Usual disclaimer: Link does not imply full agreement or endorsement. (They are posted in chronological order with the most recent first.)

When Jesus Read the Bible | Feeding on Christ

Discovering Christ in the Psalms | The Christward Collective

How Christ was Administered: Circumcision | Heart And Mouth

How Christ was Administered in the Old Testament: Seed and Land | Heart And Mouth

How was Christ Administered in the Old Testament? Introduction | Heart And Mouth

Help Me Teach the Bible: Vern Poythress on Interpreting Scripture

4 Reasons to Preach Christ from the Old Testament | For The Church

Help Me Teach the Bible: Ligon Duncan on Numbers

The End in the Beginning: A Biblical-Theological Catechism (Genesis) | Feeding on Christ

Proverbs 8:23, the Eternal Generation of the Son and the History of Reformed Exegesis | Reformation21 Blog

The Joy of Seeing Christ in the Old Testament | For The Church

How to Proclaim the Gospel from the Old Testament

How Did Jonathan Edwards Preach on Melchizedek, King of Salem? | TGC

From Blueprint to Building in Your Bible

Seeing Christ In All of Scripture | Green Baggins

Feeding on Christ The Spirit in the Old and New Testament | Feeding on Christ

The Preeminence of Christ in Preaching—Old or New Testament | Prince on Preaching

Help Me Teach the Bible: Liam Goligher on Isaiah (Part One)

BibleX: Videos on Preaching Christ from the Old Testament

Feeding on Christ Our Shield and Reward | Feeding on Christ

Help Me Teach the Bible: How the New Testament Helps Us Teach the Old Testament Rightly

An In-Depth Interview with Vern Poythress on Biblical Theology andChrist in the Old Testament | TGC

Game-Changer for Bible Reading | Desiring God

Every Story Casts His Shadow | TGC

Pyromaniacs: How does Proverbs point to Christ?

Christ in the Psalms | Credo Magazine

Jesus and Moses | Reformation21 Blog

Jesus and Abraham | Reformation21 Blog

Jesus in the Old Testament: Adam | Reformation21 Blog

The Old Testament in the New Testament | The Reformed Reader

What Did the Old Testament Writers Know about the Unfolding of the New Testament? | TGC

The Serpent on the Pole and the Cross of Christ | The Christward Collective

The Christology of Genesis 3:15

Thoroughly Uncontroversial: Sinclair Ferguson on Christotelic Interpretation

The Pentateuch is Christian Scripture | Gentle Reformation

From Bondage to Liberty: The Gospel According to Moses by Anthony Selvaggio | Reformation21 Blog

Job is a Book About Jesus: An Interview with Christopher Ash | Bible Gateway Blog

Top 20 Christ-Centered Expository Preaching Checklist | Prince on Preaching

An Introduction to Orthodox Christology: The Historical Books and Psalms by Keith Mathison | Ligonier Ministries Blog

Trinity in Old and New Testament (Vos) – The Scriptorium Daily

How Did Jesus Read the Old Testament? | The Christward Collective

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: Jesus in Every Scripture by Dr. Walt Kaiser Jr. | The Exchange

Jonathan Edwards on David as a Type of Christ | Feeding on Christ

7 Tips on Teaching and Preaching the Old Testament | The Christward Collective

The Big Picture Jesus | Credo Magazine

How to Preach Christ in All the Scriptures – OT Prophecy

Free eBook: Christ-Centered Preaching and Teaching|- The Gospel Project

9 Traces of the Doctrine of the Trinity in the Old Testament | Feeding on Christ

Preaching Christ From Proverbs – Part 1

A Biblical Theology of Exile/Restoration in the OT Prophets | Feeding on Christ

Christ in the OT: Present or Absent?

Gospel-Centered Posts July 2013

Preaching [Insert Word] Jesus | Biblical Preaching

Christ-Centered Preaching and The Gospel Project | The Exchange

C.H. Spurgeon on Typology | Credo Magazine

Yahweh Is the Sweetest Name I Know | Desiring God

Founders Ministries Blog: How Should We Preach Christ in Every Sermon? – Leviticus 18:5

Bryan Chapell on Christ Centered Preaching: Part One | The Exchange

Bryan Chapell on Christ-Centered Preaching – Part 2 | The Exchange

Typology as Prophecy | Credo Magazine

Reformed Theological Seminary Panel: Seeing Christ In The Old Testament | The Gospel Coalition

The Wisdom of the Son (Seeing Christ in the Proverbs) | Feeding on Christ

A Covenantal Approach to the Song of Songs | Feeding on Christ

Samson — Christ-Centered Preaching | The Exchange

Preaching Christ and Commending Virtue | Trevin Wax

The Christ of the Bible from Renewing Your Mind Radio with R.C. Sproul

The Warrant for Typological Interpretation of Scripture | Credo Magazine

Mosaic Magazine » The Ten Commandments

BibleX: The Sermon on the Mount, Mosaic Law, and Christian Ethics

Book Review — Introduction to Messianic Judaism | Truth Within the Static

Is Jesus in the Old Testament? | Christ the Truth

Daniel Block’s Doubts About Christ-Centred Hermeneutics | Christ the Truth

Preaching the Old Testament | Credo Magazine

Psssst: Melchizedek!

Christ-Centered Hermeneutics | The Exchange 

Founders Ministries Blog: Why We Should Preach Christ in Every Sermon

The Trinity as Old Testament Book Club

The Ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer by Stephanie van Eyk | Ligonier Ministries Blog

The Blessed Cursed Tree | Reformation21

Christ-Centered Reading, Preaching, and Teaching | Project TGM

Take Your Vitamin Z: How Were People Saved in the Old Testament?

Christ our representative and the shape of evangelical preaching | The Proclamation Trust

The Songs of the Son (Seeing Christ in the Psalms) | Feeding on Christ

Matthew 5:17 | The Briefing

Christ-Centered Preaching (Part 1): The “Dilemma” of Christ-Centered Expository Preaching | TonyMerida.net

Do We Have to Mention Jesus in Every Sermon? | A Stranger in the House of God

Why Was Christ Veiled in the Law? | Feeding on Christ

Messianic Theology of the Old Testament | Bible X

6 Discontinuities between the Old and New Covenants | Andy Naselli

The Messiah in the Old Testament | Credo Magazine

Preach the Old Testament as if Jesus Is Risen | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Jesus the Messiah

Death and Resurrection: The Typlogical Structure of Old Testament Redemptive History | Feeding on Christ

3 Principles for Preaching the Pentateuch by Daniel Hyde | Ligonier Ministries Blog

Christ Is Not Just Another Theme in the Old Testament | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Jesus in the Lions’ Den? Preaching Christ from Daniel | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Intended Allegory in the Song of Songs? | For His Renown

The Resurrection of Christ in the Old Testament |Credo Magazine

The Day of Atonement was a Copy of Christ’s Atonement by Sinclair Ferguson | Ligonier Ministries Blog

Jesus Christ, Anointed One by R.C. Sproul | Ligonier.org

Allegorical Preaching: What Would Calvin Say? | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Preaching Jesus All the Time | Credo Magazine

The Bible’s Christocentric Structure | Strands of Thought

The Boice Center Lecture Series #1: Inerrancy and the New Testament use of the Old Testament on Vimeo

Slow Down! A Different Perspective on Christ in the Old Testament | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Hosea 11 in Matthew 2

From Wisdom to WISDOM

The Holy Spirit in the OT from Renewing Your Mind Radio with R.C. Sproul

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament by Sinclair Ferguson

Jesus Sings | Desiring God

Joy in Spite of Death

Calvin on Christ in All of Scripture | Justin Taylor

Seeing Christ in Every Chapter of the Bible Is Not a Late 20th Century Development | Justin Taylor

Who Goes There? | Cor Deo

How to Preach the Gospel from Every Part of the Bible | Credo Magazine

Our Only Hope: The Messiah (Psalm 89) | Credo Magazine

“On Preaching Christ from Daniel” by Sidney Greidanus

The Psalms in Christian life

This is priceless | The Proclamation Trust

Various Quotations on Christ in the Old Testament

Looking for the absent God

The Gospel of Jesus in the Story of Joseph | Trevin Wax

Preaching Jesus all the Time | Credo Magazine

The Bible is About Jesus | Secundum Scripturas

One Story of Salvation: Nancy Guthrie on Christ in the Old Testament | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Preaching Christ from Deuteronomy | The Gospel Coalition

Kingdom Through Covenant | Reformation21

Borrowed Light: In Defense of a Christ-Centered Hermeneutic OR A Reply to Dr. Eric Hankins

Ed Stetzer – Teaching Christ from the Old & New Testaments

Where Is Jesus In The Old Testament? | Blogging Theologically

Preaching the psalms | The Proclamation Trust

A Conversation with Andy Naselli | Credo Magazine

Jesus and the Psalms by L. Michael Morales | Reformed Theology Articles at Ligonier.org

Who Is the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53?

Safety, Fulness, and Sweet Refreshment in Christ | Jonathan Edwards

On the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, Part 6 | Credo Magazine

Preaching the Person in the Old Testament | Biblical Preaching

The Trinity: Everywhere Taught in the Old Testament | Blogging Theologically

To Fulfill the Law and Prophets | Ad Fontes

Deuteronomy and Christology in the Gospel of Matthew | Reformed Forum

How Did Luke Use The OT in His Writing? | Blogging Theologically | Jesus, Books, Culture, & Theology

Christ-Centered Preaching Isn’t Anti-Trinitarian

Saturated with Christ | Challies Dot Com

Exodus 19:4-6 | The Briefing

Preaching Christ from Isaiah | The Gospel Coalition

Isaiah by the Day: A Conversation with Alec Motyer | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Jesus Is What the Old Testament Promised Him to Be | Kevin DeYoung

The Ultimate Theophany | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Christ in the Old Testament | Reformed Forum

How much should the OT influence our interpretation of the NT? |Credo Magazine

BibleX: Walter Kaiser on Job 19:21-27 and Resurrection

On the Third Day | Crossway

The Suffering Servant and Isaiah 53: A Conversation with Darrell Bock | The Gospel Coalition Blog

How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens | Justin Taylor

On Preaching the Old Testament | Ordinary Pastor

Old Testament Narratives as Pictures, Windows, and Mirrors | Justin Taylor

The Challenge of Preaching Christ in Genesis | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Jesus As the New Israel | Justin Taylor

How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens | A Book Review

Anticipating the Coming of the Spirit! | Think Theology

Book Reviews | Interview: Christ Centered Biblical Theology | The Gospel Coalition

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: Interpretation vs. Application | The Cripplegate

Christmas: Something Greater than the Temple is Here | The Cripplegate

Themelios | Review: Reclaiming The Old Testament For Christian Preaching | The Gospel Coalition

Preaching Christ in the Proverbs (Video and Audio) | Feeding on Christ

Pyromaniacs: Ashford Bible Conference 2011: Christ in the Old Testament

The Gospel According to Jonah | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Christ in Genesis « Resources for Studying and Teaching Bible

Book Reviews | Review: The Beginning And End Of Wisdom | The Gospel Coalition

How Could They Get It? | Challies Dot Com

Seeing Jesus in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job | Justin Taylor

The Wisdom of Solomon and the Greater Glories of Christ | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Book Reviews | Book-note: Help In Gospel-centered Bible Reading | The Gospel Coalition

Preaching Christ from the Wisdom Books | The Gospel Coalition

Where Do We Find Jesus in the Old Testament? | Desiring God

How the New Testament Writers Understood the Old Testament | Justin Taylor

Does the Old Testament Teach That Salvation Is by Works? | Blogmatics

How Could God Ask That? | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Jesus and the Psalms by L. Michael Morales | Reformed Theology Articles at Ligonier.org

Christ in the Temple | Christocentrism

Wisdom Christology: An Interview with Dan Ebert | TGC Reviews

Strawberry-Rhubarb Theology: Why a Cloud?

Christ in OT | Christ the Truth

Reformation Theology: The Reformers’ Hermeneutic: Grammatical, Historical, and Christ-Centered

What Do You Mean When You Talk about Christ in the Old Testament? | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Blackham-Goldsworthy Debate | Dr. Blackham

Monergism : Christ in the Old Testament

Christ’s Inner Life…In the Psalms | unashamed

Banner of Truth Trust General Articles

The Gospel-Driven Church: Guidelines for Finding Christ in the Old Testament

True & Better on Vimeo

What I Have Learned after Years of Preaching Christ in the OT | Justin Taylor

PT Media Papers | The Proclamation Trust

Ligon Duncan – A Gospel Exposition of the Ceremonial Law

Pyromaniacs: Christ in the Old Testament: introductory challenges, parameters, cautions

Pyromaniacs: Relationship of Old and New in Messianic Prophecy: Huh? and Oh!

Law and Gospel

Triablogue: The Evidence Of Biblical Prophecy

Pyromaniacs: Christ in the Old Testament | A bibliographical colloquium

Preaching the Gospel in Judges | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Christ-Centered Zeal: Some Concerns from an OT Scholar | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Koinonia: Thoughts on Egypt and prophecies in Isaiah 19 by Walt Kaiser

The Relationship Between the Old Testament & the New Testament | SBC Voices

Ligon Duncan – Preaching The Gospel From The Book With The Worst Title In The English Bible

Keller on Jonah and Jesus | Justin Taylor

SermonAudio.com – Edmund P Clowney Legacy Corporation

Was Salvation Through Jesus Christ in the Old Testament? | Gospel-Centered Musings

New Testament Use of the Old Testament, by Roger Nicole

T. Desmond Alexander Audio Lectures and Sermons | Feeding on Christ

Help! I’m Looking for Jesus in the OT | The Gospel Coalition Blog

Echoes of the Old Testament in John 1:1-14 | Feeding on Christ

Exile & Restoration in the Death & Resurrection of Christ | Feeding on Christ

The Grace of God in the Bible

Against Heresies: Whose Son is the Christ? | The Ref 21 M’Cheyne Blog

The Apostolic Hermenuetic: Preaching Christ From All The Scriptures

As the prophets from the beginning have declared concerning him (1)

Theocratic Case Laws and the New Covenant Era

The Christology of Sacrificial Countdown at the Feast of Tabernacles

Finding Meaning in the Pentateuch | Christianity Today

The Messianic Hope - Is the Old Testament Really Messianic?  || B&H Academic

If You Believed Moses, You Would Believe Me | Desiring God Christian Resource Library

I don’t think fathers should get too proud though. Instead of honoring their dads with their first word, it’s more likely that one of the first babies said “dada” and one of the first men jumped in and claimed the word as a self-identifier.

“Dada!”

“Did you hear that honey? He said my name!”

“Your name’s not Dada!”

“It is now”

Something like that.

Jesus’s First Words
But what about Jesus? What were his first words as a baby?

Perhaps you’re saying, “What a ridiculous question! We aren’t told and it doesn’t matter.”

Well, we are told. And it does matter.

“When He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I come – In the volume of the book it is written of me – To do Your will, O God’” (Heb. 10:5-7)

A bit more than “Dada” isn’t it? He quoted Psalm 40.

And a bit earlier than most babies. “When he came into the world.”

When was that?

Was it when He was delivered in the stable and breathed His first breath?

Or was it nine months earlier, when  he was conceived of the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb?

Probably the latter, as that was “when he came into the world” and into the body prepared for him.

So how did he speak in the womb?

He didn’t of course. An embryo can’t speak and didn’t speak.

The End and the Beginning
Hebrews 10:5 is not speaking of Christ as man, but of Christ as God. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle is given a secret look behind the curtain of heaven to hear what the Son of God said as He departed heaven and, a blink later, arrived on earth. These were the words on his heart, mind, and lips as He entered Mary’s womb and this world.

He looked back on the history of Israel, saw hundreds of thousands of animal sacrifices, slaughtered bodies piled up to heaven, and said, “THE END.”

He looked ahead and saw His own body start to develop as He joined with Mary’s egg in her virgin womb, and cried with delight, “The BEGINNING.”

He saw a human body, a divinely prepared body, a bleeding body, a dead body, a resurrected body. And said, “Behold, my body. Behold, I’m coming. This is what the Old Testament was all about. I delight to do your will O my God!”

What excitement, what energy, what enthusiasm for the task!

What unforgettable first words.

1. Speaking personally, how has learning to read the Old Testament with an eye to Jesus impacted your piety and pastoral ministry?
2. Why should the average Christian layman (i.e., someone not regularly preaching or teaching the Bible) learn how to read the Old Testament looking for Jesus?
3. What authors and books (historic or modern) have most helped you in learning how to read the Old Testament Christologically?
4. Tell us about your new book Jesus on Every Page.  Why did you write it, for whom is it written, and is there anything unique about it which sets it apart from other contemporary books about Jesus in the Old Testament?
5. Is the title of your book a bit hyperbolic?  Should we really look for Jesus on every page?
6. How intimately connected is your approach to finding Jesus in the Old Testament to Covenant Theology?  Say someone was persuaded of New Covenant Theology, Progressive Covenantalism, Historic Premillennialism, or some variety of Dispensationalism; would he still find your book helpful?  Why?
7. How would your approach to finding Jesus in the Old Testament compare with that of Sidney Greidanus (i.e., Preaching Christ from the Old Testament )?  Graeme Goldsworthy?  Walt Kaiser?
8. Is it legitimate to find Jesus in an Old Testament account when it would appear that the human author was not thinking of Jesus?  For example, would it be legitimate to find Jesus in the book of Esther, when the human author of Esther seems to be simply recording a historical event?  Why or why not?

You can read my answers here.

ADAMS, JAMES E., War Psalms of the Prince of Peace. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian & Reformed,, 1991.

BARRETT, MICHAEL P., Beginning at Moses. Greenville, SC: Ambassador-Emerald, 2001. **

BEEKE, JOEL and SELVAGGIO, ANTHONY (eds), Sing a New Song. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2010.

CHAPELL, BRYAN, Redeeming the Expository Sermon. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005.

CHAPELL, BRYAN, Christ-centered Preaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005. **

CLOWNEY, EDMUND, The Unfolding Mystery. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1988. **

CLOWNEY, EDMUND, Preaching Christ in All of Scripture. Illinois: Crossway, 2003. **

DE GRAAF, S.G., Promise and Deliverance (4 vols). Phillipsburg: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1977.

DILLARD, RAYMOND AND LONGMAN , TREMPER, An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.

EDWARDS, JONATHAN, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 9, A History of the Work of Redemption. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1989. **

DREW, CHARLES, The Ancient Love Song. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2000. **

FAIRBAIRN, PATRICK, The Typology of Scripture, 2 Vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 1989. **

FAIRBAIRN, PATRICK, The Interpretation of Prophecy. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1993.

FRANCE, RICHARD T., Jesus and the Old Testament. Vancouver: Regent College Publishing, 1998. **

GOLDSWORTHY, GRAEME, According to Plan. Illinois: IVP, 1991. **

GOLDSWORTHY, GRAEME, Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000. **

GORDON, ROBERT, Christ in the Old Testament, 4 Vols. Glasgow: Free Presbyterian Publications, 2002. **

GREIDANUS, SIDNEY, Preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999. **

GREIDANUS, SIDNEY, The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text. Leicester: IVP, 1988.

HANSON, ANTHONY T., Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. London: SPCK, 1965.

HENGSTENBERG, ERNST W., Christology of the Old Testament, 2 Vols. London: T & T Clark, 1875.

HOWARD, DAVID M., Interpreting the Historical Books. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006.

KAISER, WALTER C., The Uses of the Old Testament in the New. Eugene: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2001. **

KAISER, WALTER C., Preaching and Teaching from the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003.

KAISER, WALTER C., Messiah in the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. **

KEACH, BENJAMIN, Preaching from the Types and Metaphors of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Kregel, MI, 1972.

KENT, KISSLING, AND TURNER (eds), Reclaiming the Old Testament for Christian Preaching. Downer’s Grove: IVP, 2010.

LAW, HENRY, Christ is All, 5 Vols. Staffs, England: Tentmaker Publications, 2005.

LEVEBVRE, MICHAEL, Singing the Songs of Jesus. Tain, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2010. **

MACARTHUR, JOHN, The Jesus You Can’t Ignore. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008.

MASTERS, PETER, Not like any other book. London: Wakeman Trust, 2004.

MATHEWSON, STEVEN, The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.

MERRILL, EUGENE H., A Kingdom of Priests. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987.

PENNY, ROBERT L. (ed), The Hope Fulfilled. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2008.

POYTHRESS, VERN S, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1991. **

PRATT, RICHARD L., Designed for Dignity. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2000. **

PRATT, RICHARD L., He Gave Us Stories. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1993. **

ROBERTSON, O. PALMER, The Christ of the Covenants. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1980. **

ROBERTSON, O. PALMER, The Christ of the Prophets. Phillipsburg: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2004.

ROBINSON, HADDON, Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.

ROBINSON , HADDON AND LARSON,CRAIG BRIAN  The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching: A Comprehensive Resource for Today. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.

RYDELNIK , MICHAEL, The Messianic Hope. Nashville: B&H, 2010.

RYKEN , LEYLAND AND LONGMAN III, TREMPER (eds), The Complete Literary Guide to the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.

SELVAGGIO, ANTHONY, A Proverbs-driven Life. Wapwallopen: Shepherd Press, 2008.

STEPHEN, JONATHAN. Close Encounters with the Son of God. Epsom: DayOne, 1998. **

STEWART, ALEXANDER, The Tree of Promise. Edinburgh: W P Kennedy, 1864.

STUART, DOUGLAS, Old Testament Exegesis. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001.

VAN GRONINGEN, GERARD, Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1990.

WALVOORD, JOHN F, Jesus Christ Our Lord. Chicago: Moody, 1969.

WRIGHT, CHRISTOPHER J. H., Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament. Illinois: IVP, 1992. **

YOUNG, EDWARD J., My servants the prophets. Eugene: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2001.

“So what?” many say.

“No great loss, is there?” others shrug.

Let me suggest seven reasons to stop shrugging and start studying the other 60 percent of our Bibles.

1. The Old Testament reveals Christ.

The Old Testament doesn’t just “point forward” to Christ; it reveals him. It isn’t merely a series of signposts to Christ; his revealing shadow falls on every page, exciting faith and love in believing hearts.

But why linger in the Old Testament shadows when we have New Testament sunlight?

Have you never found it easier to read and be refreshed in shade? Have you never admired the unique and wondrous beauty of the dawn?

Consider the unparalleled revelation of Christ’s substitutionary atonement in Isaiah 53. And although the Gospels describe Christ’s outer life, the messianic psalms disclose his mysterious inner life, the unfathomably deep emotional and mental struggles of his earthly suffering.

2. The Old Testament is a dictionary of Christian vocabulary.

How do we understand the theological words, phrases, and concepts of the New Testament? If we turn to a modern dictionary, we will import 21st-century Western meaning into ancient Eastern words. Greek lexicons will usually get us closer to the original meaning, but that still assumes the biblical authors were influenced exclusively by Greek culture.

Rather, when we come to a word, phrase, or concept in the New Testament, our first question should be, “What does the Old Testament say?” Remember, the New Testament was originally written by Jews, and much of it was written to Jews. It assumes knowledge of the Old Testament and builds upon it.

3. The Old Testament is a manual for Christian living.

While there is understandable debate over the continuing validity of a small percentage of Old Testament laws, there are 10 clear and unchanging moral principles that God applies in different ways in different contexts: to Israel in the wilderness (Exod. 20), to Israel about to enter the promised land (Deut. 5), and to Israel settled in the land (Proverbs). Jesus and the apostles continue this varied cultural application of these same 10 moral principles for their own generation (e.g. Matt. 5; Eph. 5). All these examples provide models for how to think about and apply these moral principles in our own day.

4. The Old Testament presents doctrine in story form.

God has not only given us laws; he’s given us lives. He’s incarnated his 10 moral principles in the lives of Old Testament characters, providing us with fascinating biographies to inspire and warn (1 Cor. 10:11; Luke 17:32).

We also see New Testament doctrines worked out in Old Testament believers’ lives: through typology we learn most about Christ’s priesthood from Aaron, kingship from David, and prophetic office from Moses. Abraham demonstrates justifying faith, Elijah portrays effectual and fervent prayer, Ruth and Naomi display the communion of saints, Job perseveres through the Lord’s preservation, and David exhibits how forgiveness and chastisement often go together. And it’s all in the vivid Technicolor and Dolby of flesh-and-blood humanity.

5. The Old Testament comforts and encourages us.

As we read the Old Testament narratives, we experience the beautiful comfort and hope that Paul promised would accompany such study (Rom. 15:4). We are comforted with God’s sovereign love, majestic power, and covenant faithfulness in his relationship with Israel.

When we know the Old Testament backgrounds of the “Hall of Faithers” in Hebrews 11, we’re encouraged to follow their Christ-focused faith and spirituality.

In the Psalms, we’re given songs that have comforted and encouraged believers throughout the world and throughout the centuries.

And when we see the way that hundreds of Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, our faith in God and his Word is strengthened.

6. The Old Testament saves souls.

The apostle Paul had the highest regard for the Old Testament’s origin, nature, power, and purpose (2 Tim. 3:16-17). But the Old Testament wasn’t only helpful for Christian living; it gave Christian life. When Paul assured Timothy that “the Holy Scriptures [are] able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus,” he was speaking of the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15). Like the New Testament, the Old Testament also saved (and still saves) souls through faith in the Messiah.

7. The Old Testament makes you appreciate the New Testament more.

For all the Old Testament reveals of Jesus, and of Christian doctrine and experience, we must concede that it also conceals, that there’s a lot of frustrating shadow, that there’s unfulfilled longing and desire, that there’s often something—or rather someone—missing. The more we read it, the more we long for and love the incarnate Christ of the New Testament. The dawn is beautiful, but the sunrise is stunning.

This post first appeared at The Gospel Coalition.

I’ve always been amazed at John Piper’s ability to write poems. Apart from an utterly unforgettable forgettable poem I wrote for my future wife on Valentine’s day about 24 years ago, my poetic gifts have remained resolutely dormant, if not totally extinct.

But a few weeks ago, I sat down and thought, “I wonder if I could write a poem about Christ in each book of the Old Testament.” I sat at a blank screen thinking I’d still be there an hour later with no pixels to show for my effort. But then the “muse” descended upon me, and 30 hours later, lo and behold, I had 30 verses! It’s not exactly Robert Burns or William Shakespeare (maybe a bit limerick-ish in places), but still, I hope it gets the Old Testament’s Christ-centered message across in a slightly different way.

As you can see, we even made a video of it with some of the kids in my congregation. I understand that some of these poor children had “Jesus on Every Page” ringing in their ears for the next couple of days (and nights!)

You can download a pdf of the poem here, and feel free to embed and share the video and poem elsewhere. Meanwhile, John Piper’s position as the Poet Laureate of the Reformed world remains unthreatened.

(PS: Remember if you order Jesus on Every Page before the end of this week, you’ll receive $100 of free OT resources. Details here.)

Jesus On Every Page

In a similar way, Christians go back to the Old Testament to build a bigger and better picture of Jesus Christ. By connecting with His past, we connect better with Him and deepen our love for Him. The Old Testament connects us with Jesus’ past in the following ways (read the rest of this post at Christianity.com where I explain the following points):

1. We are reading Jesus’ Bible
2. We are learning Jesus’ language
3. We are singing Jesus’ songs
4. We are feeling Jesus’ feelings
5. We are hearing Jesus’ voice
6. We are seeing Jesus in action
7. We are admiring Jesus’ trophies

Full post here.

Many book trailers ask the author, Why did you write this book? I want to flip that a bit and answer the question, “Why should you read this book?” Let me give you seven benefits of reading Jesus on Every Page (RSS/Email readers view here)

1. Bigger picture: You’ll get a bigger picture of redemption, and of the God of redemption, by seeing how God’s plan of redemption began long before Bethlehem and Calvary.

2. Increased confidence: You’ll increase your confidence in Scripture by seeing the beautiful unity of God’s unfolding plan of salvation by grace in both Testaments.

3. Amazing grace: You’ll be more amazed at God’s grace as you discover it revealed in places and experienced by people that you’d never thought of before.

4. Ten Keys: You’ll get 10 keys to help you understand the Bible better, especially the bits that we struggle with most. How do you tackle the prophets? What is a type? What do you do with the law? And so on.

5. Better teacher: You’ll become a better teacher of Scripture. Are you a preacher, a Sunday school teacher, a Bible study leader, or even just want to teach your own children better? This book will help you teach more clearly and confidently, especially from the more difficult and neglected parts of the Bible.

6. Richer New Testament: You’ll understand the New Testament better. One hugely beneficial side-effect of studying the Old Testament is the way it enriches our understanding of so many parts of the New Testament. For example, it’s almost impossible to understand the Epistle to the Hebrews without knowing about Leviticus.

7. Warm heart: You’ll have your heart warmed, as we walk the Emmaus road with Jesus as our guide.  Yes, I want to fill your brains with information, but above all I want to fill your hearts with love. Both Christ’s love for you and your love for Christ.

Oh, yes, and there’s an eighth reason: buy before August 31 and you get $100 of Old Testament Freebies including videos, posters, lectures, and eBooks.

• Old Testament Introduction Course. My 63-lecture, 450+ page introduction to (almost) every book in the Old Testament. Each Old Testament book is summarized and analyzed, with many Christ-centered applications.
• Cross Reference – Angel of the Lord Video Curriculum and Study Guide: 10-video series on Christ’s appearances as the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament, together with pdf of Study Guide.
• God’s Home: A mini-novel with nine chapters that looks at the Christ-centered meaning of the Tabernacle from the perspective of a young Jewish girl, Jerusha. Also comes with study questions.
• God’s Food. A five-part Bible Study on the Messiah-centered significance of the Jewish sacrificial system.
• Jesus on Every Page Digital Posters: 8 Digital Posters presenting the content of the book in graphical form.
• Jesus on Every Page Study Guide Answers.

Just email your digital receipt or a scan of your shop receipt to jesusoneverypage@gmail.com

JesusOnEveryPage.com

Jesus on Every Page provides 10 simple ways to seek and find Christ in the Old Testament. In just over a week, on August 20, it will go on sale in bookshops and online, although you can pre-order right now. You can watch a couple of video trailers, read the endorsements, and choose from a range of online stores at jesusoneverypage.com.

As part of the launch offer, for a limited period of time (until August 31) , I’m making available $100 of Old Testament resources for free download to everyone who purchases the book in paper or eBook form. All you need to do is email your digital receipt or a scan of your shop receipt to jesusoneverypage@gmail.com and I’ll send you instructions on how to access the following free materials:

• Old Testament Introduction Course. My 63-lecture, 450-page introduction to (almost) every book in the Old Testament. Each Old Testament book is summarized and analyzed, with many Christ-centered applications.
• Cross Reference – Angel of the Lord Video Curriculum and Study Guide: 10-video series on Christ’s appearances as the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament, together with pdf of Study Guide.
• God’s Home: A mini-novel with nine chapters that looks at the Christ-centered meaning of the Tabernacle from the perspective of a young Jewish girl, Jerusha. Also comes with study questions.
• God’s Food. A five-part Bible Study on the Messiah-centered significance of the Jewish sacrificial system.
• Jesus on Every Page Digital Posters: 8 Digital Posters presenting the content of the book in graphical form.
• Jesus on Every Page Study Guide Answers.

That’s $100 of free Old Testament resources if you buy Jesus on Every Page before August 31!