A seminary professor once said that to fully understand Jesus, we must read and understand what was prophesied about Him in the Old Testament. That full and historic manifestation of Jesus builds our faith. Many believers today are unaware of what was written about Him thousands of years ago.

I once audited a seminary class and visited the men’s room. Above the urinals were printed copies of the Greek alphabet that students used to memorize. I thought it strange that in such a private place, the students could not get a break from their studies. Another seminary professor said something that clarified what was happening. The course of study emphasized the New Testament over the Old, leaving his students uninformed about the depths of the Hebrew language. 

Jesus, who is the all-encompassing Word of God, confirms the Old Testament. The New Testament fulfills the Old Testament. Without understanding the foundational truths of the Old Testament, it is hard to see the all-encompassing nature of Jesus, as spoken of prophetically across time and in both covenants.

Paul wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16). The word Paul used for Scripture did not reference the New Testament that did not yet exist. The use of the word “Scripture” referred to the Old Testament Scriptures that Jesus and His apostles frequently used to explain Jesus and His mission before the full canon of the Bible was assembled. 

When Paul introduced himself to his Roman readers, he wrote this, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God – the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son” (Romans 1:1-3).  Paul finished the book of Romans with these words, “Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God” (Romans 16:25-26).

If Jesus and his apostles, who lived at the beginning of the New Covenant, frequently referenced the Old Testament Scripture, we should make sure we do not neglect what was written historically about the Lord to help us see and experience the all-encompassing nature of Jesus. 

The New Covenant in which we now live has been fulfilled in Jesus, who rose from the dead and is now seated upon His heavenly throne. Neglecting a deeper, more expansive, and historical understanding of Jesus leaves us lacking.