Jesus Showed the Importance of the Old Testament
(Extract from Desire of Ages, Chapter 83 - The Walk to Emmaus)
Based on Luke 24:13-32, Mark 16:12, Matthew 18:20
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:27
Beginning at Moses (writings of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), the very Alpha of Bible history, Christ expounded (while walking along with the two disciples) in all (Genesis to Malachi) the (Old Testament) Scriptures (no New Testament Scriptures yet) the things concerning Himself. Had He first made Himself known to them, their hearts would have been satisfied. In the fullness of their joy they would have hungered for nothing more. But it was necessary for them to understand the witness borne to Him by the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon these their faith must be established (the reason why Jesus taught the Old Testament). Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to explain the (Old Testament) Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets (including books of the major and minor prophets such as Samuel 1 & 2, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jonah, up to the very last book Malachi) that this was the very strongest evidence for their faith.
In teaching these disciples, Jesus showed the importance of the Old Testament as a witness to His mission (salvation/redemption of fallen humanity). Many professed Christians now discard the Old Testament, claiming that it is no longer of any use. But such is not Christ's teaching. So highly did He value it that at one time He said, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets (all Old Testament books), neither will they be persuaded, though one rose (resurrect) from the dead." Luke 16:31.
It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs (examples: Adam, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah) and prophets (not false prophets but all true prophets of God) from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time (not only about 2,000 years ago). The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New (Testament). It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world's Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New.
Beginning at Moses (writings of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), the very Alpha of Bible history, Christ expounded (while walking along with the two disciples) in all (Genesis to Malachi) the (Old Testament) Scriptures (no New Testament Scriptures yet) the things concerning Himself. Had He first made Himself known to them, their hearts would have been satisfied. In the fullness of their joy they would have hungered for nothing more. But it was necessary for them to understand the witness borne to Him by the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon these their faith must be established (the reason why Jesus taught the Old Testament). Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to explain the (Old Testament) Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets (including books of the major and minor prophets such as Samuel 1 & 2, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Jonah, up to the very last book Malachi) that this was the very strongest evidence for their faith.
In teaching these disciples, Jesus showed the importance of the Old Testament as a witness to His mission (salvation/redemption of fallen humanity). Many professed Christians now discard the Old Testament, claiming that it is no longer of any use. But such is not Christ's teaching. So highly did He value it that at one time He said, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets (all Old Testament books), neither will they be persuaded, though one rose (resurrect) from the dead." Luke 16:31.
It is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs (examples: Adam, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah) and prophets (not false prophets but all true prophets of God) from the days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time (not only about 2,000 years ago). The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New (Testament). It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty. The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world's Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New.