Galatians
3:15-17 To
give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it
or adds to it once it has been ratified. Now the promises were made to Abraham
and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many,
but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. This is what I
mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant
previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the
inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to
Abraham by a promise.
The purpose of the Bible is
to point people to Jesus Christ. But how does it point to Him? Some people
think the Bible is mostly history. In the Old Testament Jesus is never
mentioned. How can it be pointing us to Jesus Christ? How is Jesus the subject
of the entire Bible when he is not mentioned by name in the Old Testament?
Jesus becomes the subject of
the Old Testament in two ways. First he is the subject by fitting in with its
general themes. Secondly, he is found in the fulfilling of specific prophecies
that are found in the Old Testament. Jesus becomes the subject of the New
Testament in a more obvious way. It tells His story and is most exclusively
about Him. The information provided is sufficient for our understanding of Him,
his mission and the future work of Christ for us.
The great themes of the Old
Testament are many. Creation mentions how God created the world and chose to
make mankind in His image. No sooner were they created that they fall into sin
by disobeying God. Instead of humility and gratitude in dependence on Him, they
chose to rebel and live as they chose. The result was sin and death for the
human race. Yet God leaves the door open for their reconciliation in the
future.
