Discussion Series | Rooted | 6. Why The Old Testament Matters

The Old Testament isn't a confusing collection of ancient laws and violent stories. It's the first half of one unified story — and it's impossible to fully understand Jesus without it. Today Pastor Steve walks us through covenants, sacrifices, and the logic of blood — and shows us how all of it points directly to Christ.

Key Topics

Covenants

A covenant is a binding promise God makes with His people

Every major covenant points forward to Jesus

Key covenants: Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New Covenant

Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise God ever made

Sacrifices

The sacrificial system was God's way of showing His people what sin actually costs

Leviticus isn't boring — it's a detailed picture of what it takes to approach a holy God

The system was never meant to be the final answer — it was always pointing forward

Why So Much Blood?

Leviticus 17:11 — the life of the flesh is in the blood

Blood represents life given in place of another life

Every sacrifice was a preview of one moment — the cross

John 1:29 — "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"

How It All Points to Christ

Luke 24:27 — Jesus opened the Scriptures and showed how they were all about Him

Abraham and Isaac → the Father giving His Son

The Passover Lamb → Jesus whose blood causes judgment to pass over us

The High Priest → Jesus our permanent High Priest

The Suffering Servant → Isaiah 53, written 700 years before the cross

Key Scriptures

Leviticus 17:11

2 Samuel 7:12–13

Jeremiah 31:31–34

Isaiah 53

John 1:29

Luke 24:27

Hebrews 10:1–4

Hebrews 4:14–16

Reflection Questions

What part of the Old Testament has always confused you most?

How does understanding the sacrificial system change the way you see the cross?

If the Old Testament is one long arrow pointing to Jesus — what does that change about how you read it?

Want to Go Deeper?

According to Plan — Graeme Goldsworthy

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth — Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart

Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who's been avoiding the Old Testament.

Subscribe | Leave a Review | Share with a Friend