“For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me” (John 5:46).
The Pharisees, who prided themselves so much on knowing the Scriptures, failed to recognize the One whom Moses wrote about. The Pharisees were guilty not only of rejecting Christ’s words but of rejecting the words of the Scriptures—despite that they were living according to the Word of God.
Some branches of the Christian church have taught that the Old Testament did not speak of Christ, that the law taught salvation by works, and that the Jews were saved through obedience to the law. Some have even said that the God of the Old Testament was different from the God of the new. The God of the old dispensation was mean and wrathful; the God of the new is gentle and merciful. God, however, is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The old dispensation never taught salvation by works. Salvation has always been by grace and through faith. This was Jesus’ point in John 5:46.
Hendriksen explains that there are four lines running through the Old Testament which lead to the coming Messiah: historical, typological, psychological, and prophetical.
First, the entire history of the nation of Israel teaches that the forces of darkness continually advance against God’s people, and, therefore, only God can save them.
Second, the ceremonial law, the sacrifices, systems, and signs all pointed to man’s need for atonement and to the coming Redeemer.
Third, time and again the Israelites broke God’s covenant. People like Moses, David, and Job all realized their helplessness to save themselves. They looked forward to the Redeemer’s coming.
Finally, the prophetic writings are filled with truths concerning the coming of Christ—that He would be born in Bethlehem, that He would speak the truth, that Elijah would be His forerunner, and that He would perform miracles.
On account of all these testimonies within Scripture, the Pharisees then had no excuse to reject Christ. People today are left with no excuse. Even those who have never read the Bible stand condemned because the law has been written on their hearts, yet they still refuse to worship God.
Take some time to read Stephen’s testimony of Christ (Acts 6:8–7:60). What was the response of the Jews? You should be able to use the Old Testament as proof concerning Christ. Using Acts 6, 7 and corresponding verses become familiar with passages that speak of Christ.
