Seeing Christ in the Shadows: Finding the Savior in the Old Testament

Sometimes, when we’re deep in the work, especially when we’re knee-deep in scripture study, it can feel like we’re reading a massive, sprawling library—and we’re worried we might get lost in the details. We get so focused on the Gospels, the beautiful life and ministry of our Savior, that we risk missing the incredible, foundational threads woven throughout the rest of the canon.

It’s a common feeling, isn't it? Like we’re trying to connect the dots, but some dots seem to belong to a different picture entirely. But dear friends, the Lord never leaves us with incomplete pictures. The entire scripture record is designed to point to Him.

This week, we dove into some powerful insights from Dr. Josh Sears regarding the Old Testament. It was a real refresher on how the whole narrative—from Genesis right through to Malachi—is a grand, unfolding drama culminating in the coming of the Savior. It reminded me of how understanding the covenants and prophecies in the Old Testament gives such profound depth to our understanding of the Book of Mormon and our own lives as Latter-day Saints.

The Bigger Picture: Prophecy and Pattern

What struck me most was the concept of "types and shadows." The Old Testament isn't just ancient history; it’s filled with foreshadowings. The prophets, the laws, the very narratives—they are all pointing forward. We aren't just reading about kings and battles; we are reading about the *pattern* of God’s plan to redeem His children through His Son.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material, remember this: Every book contributes to understanding the others. When we study the Old Testament through a Christian lens, we start to see Christ’s role not just as a historical figure, but as the fulfillment of prophecy, the central character in the entire divine drama.

A Bite-Sized Mission Prep Skill

As we continue our journey to be better internet missionaries, I want to share a quick skill from this discussion. When you are studying scripture with an investigator, and you come across a difficult or seemingly unrelated passage in the Old Testament, don't gloss over it! Instead, pause and ask: “What might this passage be pointing toward? What pattern might I be missing?” This habit of looking for the thread connecting disparate pieces is what makes a disciple, and it’s what the Spirit helps us see.

It’s a constant reminder that every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time, and that means being a student of the restored gospel in all its depth.

I highly recommend listening to the full episode to follow along with Dr. Sears and John. It’s a wonderful deep dive into how to read the Hebrew Bible through a Christian lens. If you want to continue building on this, I’ve flagged a few areas in LivingBook related to prophecy that you might want to explore for your own social scripture study.

Keep digging into those scriptures, brothers and sisters. Don't let the depth of the Old Testament intimidate you; let it excite you! The Savior has a plan, and He has already laid out the roadmap for us.

If you’re looking for more material to ponder as you prepare for your own service or just want to deepen your understanding of the restored gospel, check out the latest Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. And if you want to discuss these concepts further with others, consider joining a Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces!