Christocentric

One of the things I am becoming more and more convinced of, is the fact that the Old Testament points to Christ. Mark Harpt says this, "One of the most enlightening events of a Christian's life is the moment he or she discovers that Jesus Christ is interwoven into the entire Old Testament. It is said that Jesus can be found on every page of the Old Testament."

Consider how often Jesus refers to the Old Testament or the "Scriptures" in light of Himself, His ministry, and His fulfillment of them. He spoke of Himself from the Old Testament (the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms) to the two on the road to Emmaus. He told the spiritual leaders of the day that they were missing the boat, for they studied the scripture, yet failed to see Christ in them.

Remember the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch? This man was reading from the book of Isaiah, and Acts 8 says, Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus."

My challenge to myself and to you is this: Look for Christ in the Old Testament. Become familiar with the prophecies about Him. Consider his character in the lives of the Old Testament "heroes." Remember that Jesus took the Old Testament literally. He spoke of Abraham, Moses, David, Naaman, Elijah, Elisha, Noah, etc.

In regard to the book of Ruth, consider that Boaz displays Christ as our Redeemer. He is our kinsman, as the Word become flesh. With His blood, not the blood of bulls and goats, He purchased our redemption, God reconcilling us to Himself through Christ.

Let me finish by quoting this old adage: "The New [Testament] is in the Old [Testament] contained, and the Old is by the New explained."