Reading the Old Testament as Part of the Story of Jesus
For Christians, reading the Old Testament is not an excursion into a disconnected religious past. Genesis through Malachi introduces the story, hopes, failures, promises, images, and questions that prepare us to understand Jesus. Learning to read those books well can deepen the way we read the entire Bible.
The Christian Bible Does Not Begin With Matthew
It can be easy to treat the Old Testament as introductory material before reaching the “Christian” part of the Bible. The New Testament itself does not read Scripture that way.
Jesus and His first disciples lived within Israel’s biblical story. The language they used—Messiah, covenant, Kingdom, sacrifice, Son of David, Passover, temple, Spirit, resurrection—comes with a history.
That is one reason a daily rhythm of reading across Scripture can be so valuable. The Bible Reading Plans available through Daily Bread can help us move through different portions of Scripture instead of remaining only with the books we already know.
Genesis Gives Us the Problem the Gospel Addresses
Genesis begins with a good creation and human beings made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–31). Genesis 3 then describes humanity’s rebellion and the resulting fracture in our relationship with God, one another, ourselves, and creation.
Those opening chapters introduce the problem that echoes throughout the Bible.
The gospel makes deeper sense when we realize Jesus has come not merely to make bad people somewhat better, but to bring God’s redemptive purposes toward their fulfillment.
Israel’s Story Gives Us the Language of Redemption
The exodus teaches us about deliverance. Passover gives us sacrificial imagery. The covenant teaches us about God’s faithful commitment. The tabernacle and temple develop the theme of God’s dwelling presence.
The New Testament repeatedly draws upon this language.
When John calls Jesus “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), the statement carries the weight of a much longer biblical story.
The Psalms Teach Us How to Pray
One of the greatest gifts of the Old Testament is that it does not only tell us what to believe. It also gives us language for life with God.
The Psalms teach us to praise, lament, confess, rejoice, question, remember, and hope.
If you encounter an unfamiliar biblical theme while reading, Daily Bread’s Topics tool can help you explore related passages throughout Scripture.
The Prophets Teach Us What God Cares About
The prophets repeatedly call God’s people back to faithfulness. They confront idolatry, injustice, religious hypocrisy, exploitation, and misplaced trust.
Yet the prophets also speak hope. They anticipate restoration, God’s Spirit, a renewed covenant, a righteous King, and a day when God’s purposes will extend to the nations.
Those promises prepare readers for the New Testament announcement that Jesus is bringing God’s Kingdom near.
Jesus Helps Us Read the Whole Story
After the resurrection, Jesus walked with two discouraged disciples and interpreted the Scriptures in light of what God had accomplished through Him (Luke 24:25–27).
Jesus does not erase the Old Testament. He helps us see where its story is going.
That gives us an important reading posture: first understand a passage in its biblical setting, then ask how it contributes to the larger story fulfilled in Christ.
Use Study Tools Without Losing the Story
Word studies can help us trace ideas through Scripture. Daily Bread provides a searchable Word Studies tool based on the BSB concordance.
But tools are most helpful when they serve attentive reading rather than replace it.
Read the paragraph. Read the chapter. Ask where you are in the biblical story. Notice repeated words and themes. Pray about what you encounter.
Let the Old Testament Become Daily Bread
Some Old Testament passages will remain challenging. Others will become favorite places to return again and again.
Keep reading.
The more familiar we become with the first three-quarters of our Bible, the more clearly we begin to hear echoes and connections throughout the New Testament.
For those who want to study these connections more systematically, the Online Bible Institute also provides free biblical education and courses that explore the larger biblical story.
The goal, however, is never merely to collect biblical information. We read because Scripture teaches us who God is, shows us His faithfulness, leads us toward Jesus, and nourishes a life of following Him every day.
