A Biblical Vision, Part I: Mastering the Old Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I : Mas ter i ng the Ol d Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

b. Christ’s explicit teaching that he had come not to abolish the Scriptures but to fulfill them completely.

4. Theological dialogue with the Pharisees

a. John 5.39-40 – You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, [40] yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

b. Jesus explaining to the experts in Scripture that reading them without having his identity in mind is poor, ineffectual exegesis.

5. Prophetic quotation in Heb. 10.5-10 cf. Ps. 40.6-8

a. Ps. 40.6-8 – Sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. [7] Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: [8] I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” b. Heb. 10.5-10 – Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; [6] in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. [7] Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”[8] When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), [9] then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. [10] And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.