“Then he said to them, ‘Oh, foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
Luke 24:25-27 ESV
“For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.”
John 5:46 ESV
There is a lot on social media among Christians who use the term “Christ-centered,” many books, sermons, and songs. But what does it mean exactly, and why is it used? Why so much emphasis? Perhaps the most important question will be, is it biblical to give so much emphasis to the person and work of Christ? This topic is one that is simple but at the same time very profound and has to do with the theology of “fulfillment,” and it is a topic that the Old Testament itself gives priority to. John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles all preached this message, and it is the central theme of the gospel.
The Apostle Paul declared that Jesus came when the time was fulfilled. At the very least, this implies that there was a time of preparation. Preparation for something great is anticipated. In the progressive plan of God, everything that had happened had its purpose and goal of pointing to and exalting Christ.
The era of Moses pointed to this moment of fulfillment and emphasized that coming moment. The arrival of the Son of God indicated the culmination of that time. Up to this point in history, this had been the goal of EVERYTHING that had happened in the past.
The Lord promised on several occasions a Redeemer, Savior, the Messiah, the best and greatest prophet and giver of the law. All the types and shadows in the Old Testament were only shadows of the one who is to come. It can be said that there has never been a true king, a true prophet, a true judge, a true teacher. Because in a sense, all the past were nothing more than shadows of the True One, the Lord Jesus Christ!
From Genesis to Malachi, there are some 353 prophecies about Christ fulfilled in the New Testament!
The Bible was written and preserved for us, but it is not about us; the Scriptures testify of Christ! All the promises are to Him, to Christ, and we are heirs of those promises by faith in Him.
“for all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter the Amen to the glory of God through us.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV
Saint Augustine is credited with saying,
“the old is in the new revealed, and the new is in the old hidden.”
From Genesis, we see in the ‘protoevangelium’, the first promise of redemption, which was fulfilled on the cross.
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Genesis 3:15 ESV
In Deuteronomy, we see the promise of a prophet like Moses… But better, greater.
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You shall listen to him.”
Deuteronomy 18:15 ESV
In the New Testament, we see The Father say the same thing from a cloud of glory at the transfiguration.
“And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself.”
Matthew 17:3-8 ESV
Moses and Elijah, who have always represented the law and the prophets, at this very significant moment, disappear, and the text says that they looked up, and saw no one, except Jesus alone! To him, give ear! This is the message of the Bible. Jesus is the true Prophet, the true King, the true Teacher, the true Judge, the True High Priest of the better and new covenant based on better promises, and the true and greater giver of the law, His law!
Everything points to Christ—the sacrifices, the temple, the tabernacle, the Sabbath—and we can write countless examples of the types and shadows of Christ in the Old Testament. But the New Testament declares it with more clarity.
Christ is..
“above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”
Ephesians 1:21 ESV
Christ is..
“the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”
Hebrews 1:3 ESV
It is Christ who sustains everything in creation!
In Christ..
“all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”Colossians 1:16-17 ESV
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
John 1:3 ESV
Christ is everything! And in the infinite wisdom of God the Father, He decreed it so, and the Spirit glorifies Him and guides us to Him.
As Christians, we must also be Christ-centered because Christ is the center of everything, including the Word of God. And if Christ is the center of the Bible (and the universe), then He must be the center of our lives as well. Our new identity is in Him, and at all times we must worship and give thanks that by faith, and with a humble heart we can approach this King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to whom is due all honor, glory, and power forever and ever, amen.
The great mystery in all this is this beautiful truth:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 ESV
Repent of your sin and of trusting in yourself. Come to Christ, believe in Christ, and trust in Christ. You will have peace with God, forgiveness of your sins, and rest for your soul. Center your life in Christ, because He truly is the center of all things.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation
to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
-Romans 1:16
