Easter in the Old Testament – Part 1

Jesus is the only religious leader who has risen from the dead. Each year we celebrate this truth on Resurrection Sunday (Easter). The Apostle Paul wrote, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Paul repeatedly indicates the Scriptures (Old Testament) taught the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Even though they were observant Jews, His disciples did not understand these truths.

Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.” However, the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said (Luke 18:31-34).

After His resurrection, Jesus encountered two of His disciples as they walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The two had heard reports that Jesus had risen, but they had not seen Him yet. Jesus death and burial confused them. They expected the Messiah to deliver Israel from Rome.

Jesus said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. (Luke 24:25-27)

Later that evening He appeared to His disciples in Jerusalem and said, “‘all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day’” (Luke 24:44-46).

Jesus had shared the scriptures with the disciples prior to His crucifixion. They did not understand. Now Jesus “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” God must open our minds to comprehend His truth. “The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Giving us the ability to understand Scripture is a ministry of the Holy Spirit, “the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things” (John 14:26).

Could you share the Gospel using only Old Testament scriptures? Jesus, Paul, the apostles and the early believers did. Next week we will look at the Gospel as recorded in the Old Testament.