Christians sometimes make the mistake of thinking that the Old Testament is less important to us than the New Testament. After all, if Christianity is all about Jesus, then surely the part of the Bible that tells us about his coming is the bit that really matters?
Advent reminds us why that’s not quite right. During this season of hope and expectation, many of our traditions, such as the Advent wreath, or the readings at a carol service, remind us of the long history of Israel’s longing for the coming of the Messiah. Starting with Abraham this week, we see that the whole story of Israel has God’s promises at the centre, driving the plotline.
As the Apostle Paul tells us, “no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ” (2 Cor 1:20). He is what the saints of the Old Testament were trusting in and hoping for. So, in the end, it is really Christ who is at the centre of the whole Old Testament story, driving its plotline. Once we grasp that, the Old Testament becomes a place where we can continually encounter Christ in the treasure trove of God’s promises to his people.
Ed