What does the Catechism say about Jesus in the Old and New Testaments?

 

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses Jesus' presence in both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting his central role in God's plan of salvation:

Jesus in the Old Testament:

• Preparation: The Old Testament is seen as preparation for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. It contains prophecies, figures (types), and events that foreshadow his life, death, and resurrection.
• Typological Reading: Christians read the Old Testament "in the light of Christ, crucified and risen" (CCC 129), seeking to understand how the events and figures of the Old Testament point towards him.
• Hidden Presence: The New Testament is seen as "hidden in the Old and the Old is unveiled in the New" (CCC 129). This means that Jesus' presence can be discerned in the Old Testament through careful reading and interpretation.

Jesus in the New Testament:

• Central Figure: Jesus is the central figure of the New Testament, and his life, teachings, death, and resurrection are the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises.
• God's Revelation: The New Testament writings, particularly the Gospels, reveal the person of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God. They recount his words and deeds, his passion and death, and his glorious resurrection.
• Foundation of Faith: The New Testament is the foundation of Christian faith, providing the teachings and principles for living a life in Christ.

Specific Paragraphs:

• CCC 129: "Christians therefore read the Old Testament in the light of Christ crucified and risen."
• CCC 439: "The eternal Father, in accordance with the utterly gratuitous and mysterious design of his wisdom and goodness, created the whole universe and chose to raise up men to share in his own divine life."  
  1. opusdei.org

  opusdei.org
• CCC 522: "The paschal mystery of Christ's cross and Resurrection stands at the center of the Good News that the apostles, and the Church following them, are to proclaim to the world."  
  1. en.wikipedia.org

  en.wikipedia.org

By reading both the Old and New Testaments together, Christians can gain a deeper understanding of God's plan of salvation and the central role that Jesus plays in it.