Click and share this 2 minute Lenten Reflection on finding clues for Jesus the Messiah in the Old Testament: https://soundcloud.com/prayfortwo/lenten-reflection-holy-monday
One reason I stress making the daily readings a part of your prayer routine is that you start to see the New Testament prefigured in the Old Testament, and the Old fulfilled in the New. We can read the Old Testament very much like a detective’s mystery, filled with clues about how the story will end. There were at least 150 predictions in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in person of Jesus Christ – an almost impossible number mathematically. Unless, of course, you are the creator of the world!
Listen to this reading from Isaiah, Chapter 42. First, picture not knowing Jesus but anticipating a coming savior of the world. Then listen knowing the end of the story, and how brilliantly the prophecy describes the Jesus we know and love.
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
Upon whom I have put my Spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
Not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
A bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
Until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.
Father of Grace and Mercy – you love us so very very much. Thank you for unveiling yourself to us across thousands of years and scores of prophets in the Old Testament. Help us to see your beautiful son in new ways – prefigured in the Old, and fulfilled in the New. Amen.