Jesus Christ, the New Testament Reality
The Old Testament uses physical objects to portray spiritual matters. In the New Testament Jesus Christ is the reality and He replaces all the physical symbols, both now and in eternity.
One example is John the Baptist’s word in John 1:29. In the OT physical animals were presented on the altar as sacrifices and offerings. But when John saw Jesus, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Jesus replaced all the OT animals.
In the OT, God’s house was a physical tabernacle and then a physical temple. Jesus replaced them with Himself as the dwelling place of God. John 1:14 says literally that the Word tabernacled* among us. Then in John 2:19-22 He presented Himself as the replacement for the physical temple.
All the NT believers together are the universal church, the Body of Christ, and the one new man. Ephesians 1:22-23 proclaims that the church is His Body. First Corinthians 12:12 shows that Christ is not only the Head of the Body but also the reality of the whole Body.
According to Colossians 3:10 we have put on the new man. And in verse 3:11 in this one new man “Christ is all and in all.” He is all, everything, and He is in us all. This is the reality today and will continue into New Jerusalem.
* “Tabernacled” is the literal translation, although most English versions use the word “dwelt.” See the sections Literal Translation and NT Translations on https://biblehub.com/parallel/john/1-14.htm.
Photo courtesy of pixabay.com.
Posted by Don on March 6, 2024
https://newjerusalem12.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/jesus-christ-the-new-testament-reality/
