Concealed in the Old, revealed in the New

Robert Campbell tells us the gospel from the Old Testament.

The Messiah is God, he is the everlasting Father¹ and being God he has always existed.^2,3 He was there at the creation.³

Christ’s birth

Born of a virgin,⁴ in Bethlehem² surrounded by women weeping bitterly for dead children,⁵ begotten of God,⁶ born in the normal way,² he has no air of majesty to make him desirable.⁷ Born as a Jewish8 child,1 a descendant of David,⁹ who David calls Lord,¹⁰ he is God’s son.^9,6 For a while he will be lower than the angels,¹¹ but he is righteous and brings salvation with him.¹² God will put his Spirit upon him,¹³ he is a servant in whom God delights.⁶

Christ’s preaching

Ministering in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,¹¹ he tells many parables¹⁴ that will be passed down to later generations.¹⁴ He is a light to those who walk in darkness¹ and people rejoice before him.¹ But many people who hear him do not understand,⁶ they see him but cannot perceive.¹⁵ If they had understood, their hearts would be healed.¹⁵ He brings good news to the poor, ¹⁶ binds the broken hearted¹⁶ and proclaims liberty to captives.¹⁶

Christ’s crucifixion

He comes to Jerusalem riding on a donkey¹² and the children praise him.¹¹ He is betrayed for only 30 pieces of silver¹⁷ and although he has done no violence and there is no deceit in his mouth, ⁷ he is flogged⁹ and taken like a lamb to the slaughter. ⁷ His hands and his feet are pierced,¹⁸ his heart melts within him, his strength dries up,¹⁸ he is poured out like water,¹⁸ all of his bones are out of joint¹⁸ but are not broken.¹⁹ His appearance is marred beyond human semblance.²⁰ Men reject and despise⁷ this man of sorrows, well acquainted with grief. ⁷ Although oppressed and afflicted, he does not open his mouth. ⁷

His garments are divided up¹⁸ and they cast lots for his clothing,¹⁸ he is given sour wine to drink,²¹ treated lower than a man,²² he is despised and mocked.²² He cries out that God has forsaken him²³ and he is pierced. ⁷

He lies in the dust of death,18 considered by his generation to be struck off from the land of the living, ⁷ stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. ⁷

When people look at the one they have pierced, they mourn.²⁴ It is for our iniquities he is crushed; ⁷ he is wounded and stricken for our transgressions. ⁷ He bears our grief and carries our sorrows. ⁷ We are healed by his stripes. ⁷ It is his chastisement that causes us to have peace⁷ because God laid on him all of our iniquity,⁷ his soul is a sin offering.⁷ Many people can be considered righteous because he bears their iniquities.⁷

Christ’s resurrection

After three days he rises again²⁵ and having borne the sins of many he now makes intercession for them.⁷ He is called counsellor,¹ he is a priest for ever.¹⁰ The wonderful1 Prince of Peace,¹ all things are put under his feet¹¹ and he will reign for ever.⁹ The stone that the builders rejected has become a corner stone,²⁶ a precious corner stone that is a sure foundation.²⁷

He has made a new covenant²⁸ and all from the least to the greatest will know him²⁸ as he pours out his Spirit on all flesh.²⁹ Those who find him find life,³ he is a light to the nations and his salvation shall reach the ends of the earth.³⁰

Coming judge and saviour

He is not intimidated by earthly rulers.⁶ Kings and princes shall prostrate themselves before him.³⁰ Those who hate him love death,³ those who fail to find him injure themselves.³ He will execute judgment among the nations.¹⁰ He shall judge, not by what eyes see or ears hear, but with rightousness.³¹ He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth and with his breath he will kill the wicked.³¹ The government is on his shoulders.¹

He shall be great to the ends of the earth^2,8,6 and his kingdom have no end.^1,32

Old Testament References

1 Isaiah 9.1-7
2 Micah 5.2-4
3 Proverbs 8.22-36
4 Isaiah 7.14
5 Jeremiah 31.15
6 Psalm 2.7-12
7 Isaiah 53
8 Genesis 49.10
9 2Samuel 7.12-17
10 Psalm 110
11 Psalm 8.2-7
12 Zechariah 9.9
13 Isaiah 42.1
14 Psalm 78.2-4
15 Isaiah 6.9-10
16 Isaiah 61.1-3
17 Zechariah 11.10-13
18 Psalm 22.14-18
19 Psalm 34.20
20 Isaiah 52.13-15
21 Psalm 69.21
22 Psalm 22.6-8
23 Psalm 22.1
24 Zechariah 12.10
25 Hosea 6.2
26 Psalm 118.22
27 Isaiah 28.16-17
28 Jeremiah 31.31-34
29 Joel 2.28-29
30 Isaiah 49.6-7
31 Isaiah 11.1-5
32 Daniel 7.13-14