How Jesus Completes the Old Testament

Jesus doesn’t discard the Old Testament—He fulfills it. Jeff walks us through Matthew chapters 3 and 4, explaining how Jesus intentionally retraces the story of Israel. From the Jordan River—the lowest place on earth—to the wilderness of testing, the Gospel of Matthew reveals an incredible pattern: Jesus relives the Exodus, succeeds where Israel failed, and fulfills the promises of the Old Testament. 

Shownotes

Big Picture Themes

• Why Matthew’s Gospel is structured like the five books of the Torah
• Jesus as the fulfillment—not the replacement—of the Old Testament
• Recapitulation: Jesus reliving and completing Israel’s story
• How geography, history, and Scripture work together in Matthew

Matthew 3: The Jordan & A New Beginning

• John the Baptist appears in the Wilderness of Judea, quoting Isaiah 40
• Isaiah 40 marks the start of the Book of Consolation—a message Israel had been waiting centuries to hear
• John is dressed like Elijah, signaling the arrival of the Messiah
• The Jordan River:
  • Lowest geographical place on earth
  • Site of Elijah’s departure (2 Kings 2)
  • Where Joshua began Israel’s entry into the Promised Land
• Jesus is baptized here to “fulfill all righteousness”
• The Trinity is revealed: Father’s voice, Son present, Spirit descending

Recapitulation Explained

Jesus doesn’t move the story forward—He goes backward and lives it again:

• Israel through the Red Sea → Jesus through the Jordan
• Israel tested in the wilderness for 40 years → Jesus tested for 40 days
• Israel fails → Jesus succeeds

Matthew 4: The Wilderness & the Temptations

• Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days
• He is tempted three times, each attacking His identity as Son of God
• Jesus responds not with power—but with Scripture
• Every response comes from Deuteronomy 6–8
  • The very chapters where Moses reviewed Israel’s wilderness failures
• Jesus succeeds where Israel failed:
  • Trusting God for provision
  • Refusing to test God
  • Worshiping God alone

 Key Scriptures Referenced

• Matthew 3–4
• Isaiah 40
• 2 Kings 2
• Joshua 3
• Deuteronomy 6–8
• Psalm 91

Takeaways for Daily Living

• Scripture is meant to be read within the community of faith
• Knowing the Old Testament unlocks the New
• Our identity as sons and daughters of God is the enemy’s primary target
• Jesus shows us how to live by the Word—especially in times of testing