Finding Jesus in the Old Testament: A Beginner’s Guide

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament: A Beginner’s Guide

Blog: Walks With the Lord

The Bible is a grand narrative—one seamless story of redemption, promise, and divine love. For many believers, Jesus Christ is most vividly encountered in the New Testament: His birth, His ministry, His sacrifice, and His resurrection. Yet, what many don't realize is that Jesus is also richly present in the Old Testament—not in name alone, but in symbol, prophecy, and even appearance.

Finding Jesus in the Old Testament is like discovering hidden treasure. Once you see Him in Genesis, in Exodus, in the Psalms and Prophets, your Bible reading is never the same again. You begin to understand the full, beautiful picture of God’s redemptive plan unfolding from the very beginning. This post is a beginner’s guide to recognizing Jesus in the Old Testament and understanding how the whole of Scripture points to Him.

Why Look for Jesus in the Old Testament?

Jesus Himself said in John 5:39 (ESV), “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.” At that time, the "Scriptures" referred to the Old Testament.

After His resurrection, Jesus met two disciples on the road to Emmaus and opened their eyes to the truth:
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” – Luke 24:27 (ESV)

So, according to Jesus, the Old Testament is full of clues, types, and prophecies pointing directly to Him. The entire Bible is Christ-centered.

1. Jesus in Old Testament Prophecies

One of the clearest ways we see Jesus in the Old Testament is through Messianic prophecies—specific predictions about the coming Messiah.

✅ Genesis 3:15 – The First Gospel (Protoevangelium)

"He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
This is God’s judgment on the serpent after Adam and Eve’s fall. It’s also the first prophetic whisper of Jesus. Jesus (the seed of the woman) would one day crush Satan's power, though He would be wounded in the process—pointing to the cross.

✅ Isaiah 7:14 – The Virgin Birth

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Immanuel means “God with us.” This prophecy points directly to Jesus’ miraculous birth in Matthew 1:23.

✅ Isaiah 53 – The Suffering Servant

This chapter is perhaps the most vivid Old Testament portrayal of Jesus’ suffering and death:
"He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities..."
Hundreds of years before the crucifixion, Isaiah saw it through the Spirit.

✅ Micah 5:2 – Birth in Bethlehem

"But you, O Bethlehem... from you shall come forth... one who is to be ruler in Israel..."
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just as this prophecy predicted.

There are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled in His first coming. The statistical probability of one man fulfilling even a fraction of those by chance is astronomical—further confirming Jesus as the Messiah.

2. Jesus in Old Testament Types and Shadows

A “type” is a person, event, or institution that prefigures Jesus. These are like shadows cast by the Savior before His physical arrival.

✅ Adam – The First and the Second

Adam brought sin and death; Jesus, the “Second Adam,” brings righteousness and life.
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:22

✅ Noah’s Ark – A Type of Salvation

The ark saved Noah’s family from God’s judgment. Jesus is our ark, saving us from judgment when we trust in Him.

✅ The Passover Lamb (Exodus 12)

The blood of the lamb on the doorposts spared the Israelites from death. Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), whose blood saves us from eternal death.

✅ The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:4–9)

When the Israelites were bitten by serpents, they were healed by looking at a bronze serpent lifted on a pole. Jesus referred to this in John 3:14-15:
“As Moses lifted up the serpent... so must the Son of Man be lifted up...”

✅ Melchizedek – The Priest-King (Genesis 14)

Melchizedek is a mysterious figure, both king and priest. Hebrews 7 tells us Jesus is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, combining royalty and priesthood perfectly.

3. Jesus in Theophanies (Old Testament Appearances)

Some scholars believe that certain appearances of the “Angel of the Lord” or mysterious divine figures in the Old Testament are pre-incarnate appearances of Christ.

✅ The Angel of the Lord (Genesis 16, Exodus 3, Judges 6)

This figure speaks as God, receives worship, and has divine authority. Many believe this is the pre-incarnate Christ interacting with humanity before His earthly birth.

✅ The Fourth Man in the Fire (Daniel 3)

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace, a fourth man appeared:
"...like a son of the gods." – Daniel 3:25
This could very well be Jesus walking in the fire with His faithful followers.

4. Jesus in the Psalms and Wisdom Literature

The Psalms, written largely by King David, often contain deep prophetic insight about Jesus.

✅ Psalm 22 – The Crucifixion Psalm

David describes the agony of someone being pierced, mocked, and surrounded by enemies.
"They have pierced my hands and feet... they divide my garments among them..."
This is a clear foreshadowing of Jesus’ crucifixion.

✅ Psalm 110 – The Priest-King

"The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand... You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'"
Jesus quoted this Psalm, claiming it referred to Him (Matthew 22:44).

5. Why This Matters for Our Faith

Understanding Jesus in the Old Testament is not just an academic exercise—it deepens our faith and trust in the God who keeps His promises. It shows that the cross wasn’t a last-minute rescue plan; it was part of God’s design from the beginning.

It also reminds us of the unity of Scripture. The Bible is not two disconnected halves but one divine story, authored by the Holy Spirit and centered on Christ.

Jesus is the thread that ties Genesis to Revelation. From the garden to the cross to the empty tomb, He is present, active, and redeeming.

How to Start Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament

  1. Pray for Understanding
    Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes, just as Jesus did for the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

  2. Read with Christ in Mind
    Approach the Old Testament not as a historical textbook, but as part of a grand narrative centered on Jesus.

  3. Study Prophecies and Fulfillments
    Keep a notebook comparing Old Testament prophecies and their New Testament fulfillments.

  4. Use a Christ-Centered Study Bible
    Bibles like the ESV Study Bible, The Jesus Bible, or the CSB Christ-Centered Bible offer helpful notes and cross-references.

  5. Join a Bible Study Group
    Digging into Scripture with others can bring insight and clarity, especially from more experienced believers.

Let’s Walk Together

Have you encountered Jesus in the Old Testament? Are there verses or stories that have suddenly come alive for you in a new way? I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or questions. Please share in the comments below or send a message. This blog is a place where we walk with the Lord together—and part of that walk is learning how every page of Scripture draws us closer to Christ.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the beauty and unity of Your Word. Thank You for revealing Your Son not only in the New Testament but throughout the Old. Open our eyes to see Jesus more clearly in the Scriptures. Help us to trust in Your promises, knowing that every prophecy, every shadow, and every story ultimately leads us to the cross and the empty tomb. Strengthen our faith and deepen our love for You through Your Word. In Jesus’ precious name we pray,

Amen.

Stay rooted in the Word. Keep walking with the Lord.
– Walks With the Lord ✝️

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