It seems like a simple way to explain the differences in the 2 major parts of the Bible.
But it’s wrong.
Jesus makes appearances in BOTH Testaments.
If you know what I’m talking about, stop right here for a minute and reply to this email and tell me what you think the answer is I’m about to share (then come back and finish reading to find out if that what I actually said). If you are shocked and have no idea what I’m about to say, just keep reading because this is for you!
Jesus appears numerous times in the Old Testament. He wasn’t born of a woman like in the New Testament. He just showed up (as an adult) for a period of time then left. His body, then, was more like an angelic body. Not a human body – but human looking.
There is a big term for this event. It’s called a Theophany. Technically, it’s a pre-incarnate (pre human birth) occurrence of Jesus on earth. It comes from 2 Greek words which mean “God” and “appearance”. Literally an appearance of God to humans.
Let me give you an idea of what I am talking about.
In Genesis 18, Abraham and Sarah have a special visitor. He came with a special message that within a year, Sarah would have a baby and Abraham’s lineage would have an heir (just as God promised in Genesis 15).
Genesis 18:1 says “And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre…” When it says the LORD like that, in a physical body, it’s a reference to Jesus. He’s the one who interacts visibly with people.
(Hint, I wrote about this story in Miracles: Faith in Action)
That’s a simple one. Here’s another.
In Daniel 7 we read of a vision Daniel had of a terrible beast and prophet on earth. Nothing good comes from that, But in verse 9 we read
“As I looked,
thrones were placed,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
its wheels were burning fire.”
Daniel was seeing Jesus. Not the meek and lowly Jesus of most of the gospels. This is like Jesus at the battle of Armageddon. It was a terrible view of the awesome 2nd person of the trinity. Jesus coming in Power.
Another majestic situation is where we see Jesus in the Old Testament comes from Isaiah 6.
Isaiah was bound to be a prophet. And he had a dream one night where he encountered God who commissioned him. But in the dream, he saw Jesus, in the temple, sitting on a throne.
“I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” Jesus is the visual representation of God. When God is seen, it’s Jesus. So here it’s Jesus that Isaiah saw.
(This one I detailed in depth in Jesus Above All – which I’m giving away for free here if you like.)
There are more. Moses seeing God on Mt. Sinai (his face glowed for days after) is generally considered a theophany. Ezekiel saw a figure of wheels within wheels.
You can even do a whole study of this across the Bible.
I have a point here. Be careful when it comes to generalizing about the Bible or about God.
While it’s easy to make simple statements, it’s not always accurate to do so. The better path is that of study. You don’t need to be a crotchety old professor-type to be a Bible student. You just need an open mind and a willingness to expend some time and energy to do it. The rest will come to you.
If this is of interest to you and you want to know more, reply and let me know. I’d love to find a study for you that will enhance your spiritual maturity.
Blessings,
Dennis
