Today is Wednesday, February 15th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2258

Karen's Korner readers are aware of our church's 31-week Bible Study which we embarked on early last fall. This coming week, we will be looking at week #20. One more week after this one and we will finish the Old Testament.
 
Why do we have 21 weeks of Old Testament and only 10 of New Testament? Part of the reason is the Old Testament is a larger portion of the Bible!
 
Don't we know more about the New Testament than the Old??
 
With these thoughts in mind, Mariel Betts clipped a column out of her hometown newspaper a couple of weeks ago and I share it with you today:
 
"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law
or the Prophets;
I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill it.
For truly I say to you,
until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or stroke
shall pass away from the Law,
until all is accomplished."
~ Matthew 5:17,18
 
Dear Friends,
 
    Of what good is the Old Testament? Does it have relevance to our lives today? If so, in what way? The religious leaders of Jesus' day thought He was violating the scriptures with His radical teaching and unorthodox behavior. Today some people make the opposite mistake. By supposedly "Believing in Jesus," they reduce the Old Testament to a collection of sentimental stories and moral lessons on the level of Aesop's Fables.
 
    In verse 17, Jesus makes it clear that it is wrong thinking to view the Old Testament as having been abolished by Him. Rather, they point to Him! He came to the earth to bring the Old Testament Scriptures to fruition. As the apple is to the bud and blossom, and the completed house is to the blueprint, so Jesus -- in His person, teachings, and actions -- is to the law and prophets!
 
    Well, then, if we have Jesus, we don't need them anymore, right? Wrong. See verse 18. The Old Testament Law is more sure, and secure than anything in the heavens or on the earth. Not one stroke shall pass away from it until Jesus fulfills it completely, and all it reveals about God's redemptive plan is accomplished.
 
    Listen, The Old Testament Scriptures, properly understood in relation to Jesus -- to whom it points and in whom it is fulfilled -- will remain essentially important for as long as human history continues. Paul wrote to Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
 
    How does your attitude toward the Old Testament measure up to Jesus? Do you read it? Do you desire and strive to understand it: Do you love it? (Psalm 119:97)!
 
    As this New Year dawns, I challenge you to spend time in the Old Testament. Watch for what it teaches about God, man, sin, redemption. Look for Jesus in it. Make it part of a regular diet of God's Word. Grow from it. Enjoy it! You will be blessed.
 
In Christ's Love,
Pastor Tim Sir
Saratoga Presbyterian Church

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