16th December

Jesus said to them: "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Luke 24, 44

The Old Testament and the Saviour

The Old Testament contains the whole history of humanity before Jesus such as God considers it. On one hand there are the acts and the thoughts of the descendants of Adam and on the other hand the ways of how God acts. It brings to the fore that man is a sinner who God wants to save.

It is impossible for human being to save himself and to escape judgement: suffering, death, judgement for eternity. "There is no-one who seeks God, all have turned away" (Romans 3, 11 & 12).

However, throughout the centuries God brings out the guiltiness of men and leads the look of the believers to his work which one day will be fulfilled. This work of atonement is announced by direct prophecies and symbols. The believers of that time could proclaim by looking at the future: "Our condition would be hopeless and we could only expect the terrible judgement for eternity; if God would not fulfill his promise of a Saviour one day. However, this promise is fulfilled. Thanks to this Saviour, God can forgive us.

After the coming of Jesus to earth, the same Spirit of God testified to the apostles by saying: All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name (Acts 10, 43).