John 5:39-40
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
NKJV
Those adopting replacement theology view the Old Testament as a book of history and prophecy, telling a story of Israel’s rejection of God. This rejection of God reached its climax when the High Priest called for the crucifixion of Jesus (Mark 16:6-15). With this rejection of the Son of God, replacement theology believes that the Jews have somehow committed an unpardonable sin and no longer have a place nationally in God’s plan. However, each individual Jew can receive salvation by renouncing Judaism and adopting Christianity. Is it any wonder many Jewish people will not accept Yeshua as their Messiah since it means almost certain banishment by family and lifelong friends?
This, along with many other heinous crimes against the Jewish people is why their religious leaders teach that Jesus is the God of Christianity but not the God of the Jews. As such, they refuse to include the New Testament as part of God’s Word. As such, Jewish people are deceived and wait for the arrival of their savior when their savior already came, died, and rose again for their sins making it possible for them to have eternal life (John 3:16).
Some, who believe in both the Old and New Testament, unfortunately, believe they provide two paths to salvation. These are those adopting dual covenant theology. However, this would make Jesus a liar and disqualify Him from being the perfect Lamb of God for He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the father except through me.” (John 14:6)
The truth is that many accounts in the Old Testament are a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and His ministry. Let us take a moment to look at some of these foreshadowings.
1) God calling upon Abraham to sacrifice his only son (Genesis 22:1-18) – Just as God offered His only Son as the sacrifice for all our sins, God asks Abraham to offer up his son Isaac. Another parallel here is that Isaac was actually the second born son of Abraham with Esau being the first. This parallels the first man, Adam, who was the son of the flesh, and Jesus the promised one of Genesis 3:15. It is through the sacrifice of the promised Son of God, Yeshua, that humanity receives salvation from sin.
2) The life of Joseph – Joseph, the favorite son of his father was despised and rejected by those of his family. This rejection led to his imprisonment and the presumption he was dead by his father. However, in a turn of fate, those that rejected him eventually, in their time of greatest need, turned to and found deliverance in Joseph. Jesus was also rejected by those of his family lineage, the Jews and his heavenly Father who allowed Him to die. However, Jesus did not stay dead forever and rose from the dead. In the Great Tribulation to come, the nation of Israel will look upon the one they pierced (Zechariah 12:10), Jesus Christ and turn to Him in their greatest time of need.
3) The Children of Israel’s journey to and deliverance from Egypt – The children of Israel came to Egypt to escape a devastating famine and when the time was right, left Egypt. Jesus too escaped to Egypt with his earthly father Joseph to escape the massacre of Jewish children and later returned when it was safe (Matthew 2:16).
4) The passage of Israel through the Red Sea – The Jews escaped the attacking Egyptian army by passing through the Red Sea after God parted it. However, the Egyptian army, who followed them into the sea, drowned. This is symbolic of the waters of baptism, which symbolize the death of the flesh and the resurrection to new life of the believer. The Israelites also left the waters of baptism at the Red Sea and wandered 40 years in the wilderness. Jesus left the waters of baptism and fasted 40 days in the wilderness before being tempted by the Devil (Luke 4:1-13)
5) The receiving of the Law – Fifty days after crossing the Red Sea, Moses ascended Mount Sinai and received the Law, initiating the covenant of the Law. Similarly, 50 days after the resurrection of Christ, the 120 receive the Holy Spirit in the upper room, initiating the New Covenant (Acts 2:1-4).
When we look at these interesting parallels in the Old and New Testaments, we can see that the New Testament is indeed contained in the Old Testament and that the New Testament indeed explains the Old Testament. There is therefore only one conclusion to be reached, God remains true to his promises to the Jews and just as the sons of Israel turned to their deliverer when in great need, a day is coming
when the nation of Israel will look upon the one they pierced and accept their messiah. If you have not already done so, take a moment to pray this prayer with me now and make Jesus, Yeshua, your savior,
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.
Jesus, Yeshua, is now your savior and Messiah and you now have eternal life. Now, go out and share with others what Jesus has done for you so they too can have forgiveness of their sins and eternal life.
Next Saturday, we will begin looking at how the Jewish feasts point to Jesus.
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