How Were People Saved Before Jesus
Today we will talk about how were people saved before Jesus. Many Christians do not know what this means. It’s an important subject, as understanding how salvation was perceived in the Old Testament sheds light on God’s unchanging nature and His plan for redemption. In this journey, let’s keep our hearts open, ready to absorb the wisdom found in Scripture, and appreciate the rich layers of meaning that God’s messages carry.
The Meaning of Salvation in the Old Testament
Salvation encompasses the idea of being saved or rescued. In Hebrew, the term used is “Yasha,” which means to deliver, save, or set free. This ties into God’s overarching plan for His people throughout the Old Testament. Hebrew scriptures reveal a God who desires to rescue His people from sin, oppression, and death.
The Greek equivalent “Sozo” translates to save, heal, and preserve life’s essence. This broad concept of salvation suggests more than just a spiritual rescue; it encompasses physical and emotional healing too. In the historical understanding, salvation in the Old Testament was often demonstrated through tangible actions, such as the deliverance of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt (Exodus 3:7-10, Psalm 106:10). Their journey from slavery to freedom illustrates God’s saving power and faithfulness.
Throughout the Old Testament, individuals were saved by their faith and trust in God, though not in the same way as post-Jesus. The feelings of hope and anticipation for a Messiah were woven throughout sacred texts, and many believers waited for that promise to be realized. We see this beautifully illustrated in passages like Isaiah 53, which speaks of a suffering servant who would bear the sins of many, setting the foundation for understanding who Jesus is and what He accomplished. But before answering how people were saved, we first need to look at specific examples of saving grace throughout the Old Testament.
Faith and the Patriarchs
The concept of faith as a means of salvation appears prominently in the lives of the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham’s faith is highlighted in Genesis 15:6 when it says he believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. This illustrates the principle that faith in God’s promises was the bedrock of salvation long before Jesus walked the earth.
Abraham’s story underscores how God establishes a covenant relationship. He was called to leave his homeland and followed God’s directions without knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). This obedient trust solidified his position as the father of many nations, symbolizing that salvation is a heart matter rooted in belief and trust in God’s plan.
The theme of faith continues with Moses, whose pivotal role in leading the Israelites from Egypt not only showcased God’s power but also illustrated how collective faith resulted in deliverance. The Passover event, told in Exodus 12:12-13, exemplifies how faith protected the Israelites. By marking their doorposts with lamb’s blood as instructed by God, they signified their trust in His promise of salvation from the plague, symbolizing the first hints of redemptive history. It’s essential to understand these foundational stories that speak of faith, obedience, and divine intervention, as they set the stage for the unfolding revelation of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Role of the Law and Sacrificial System
The Law, established by God through Moses, provided Israelites with guidelines for living in obedience and community. Within this framework, sacrifices became an essential part of Holiness. The system of animal sacrifices, detailed throughout Levitical laws, served not just for atonement; they depicted the seriousness of sin and the dire need for redemption. According to Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls.” This insight illustrates that, while sinful actions deserved death, God graciously allowed for substitutionary sacrifices.
Yet, it’s crucial to note that these sacrifices could not ultimately cleanse the conscience or eradicate sin. Hebrews 10:4 explains that “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Instead, they pointed toward the ultimate sacrifice—the Lamb of God, who would take away not just individual or national sin but the sin of the world. The sacrificial system’s role was to lead people to understand their need for a savior while reinforcing reliance on God’s grace.
As Israelites consistently offered sacrifices, the anticipation of a more lasting solution to sin grew stronger, highlighting the limitations of animal sacrifice and aligning hearts towards something greater to come. They looked forward to the time when God would fulfill His promises through a Messiah, which we as Christians understand to be realized in the person of Jesus Christ.
God’s Grace in the Lives of His People
Throughout scripture, God’s grace brings about salvation. Figures like Rahab, a Gentile prostitute, demonstrate that faith can be found anywhere. Rahab’s story is a powerful testament of God’s willingness to extend grace beyond the borders of Israel. She believed in God’s power and helped the Israelites, and for her faith, she was saved from destruction (Joshua 2:9-14, Hebrews 11:31). This exemplifies that salvation was never restricted to a specific group but was always intended for those who sought after Him with sincerity.
Moreover, we can look at the story of David, a man after God’s own heart, who fell into significant sin yet found redemption through heartfelt repentance (Psalm 51). When David repented, acknowledging his transgressions against God, he experienced God’s forgiveness and restoration. His life showcases how, even in the Old Testament, God’s grace and mercy were available to anyone willing to turn back to Him wholeheartedly.
In all these instances, we observe a loving and compassionate God who desires to save people from their sins and the consequences. His character remains unchanged from the Old Testament to the New; He continuously invites us back into relationship with Him, as evidenced through countless acts of mercy and redeeming grace found in the scriptures.
The Future Hope and Fulfillment in Christ
The longing for a Savior was deeply entrenched in the hearts of God’s people. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah consistently conveyed messages of hope, suggesting that one day, God would fulfill His promise of a Messiah. Isaiah 9:6 wonderfully foretells, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” This excitement gives insight into the expectations around the arrival of Jesus Christ.
Each prophetic voice was like a breadcrumb leading the Israelites through centuries of waiting, anticipation, and longing. As believers, we recognize that all those years of sacrifice, faith, and waiting ultimately pointed to the perfect sacrifice that Jesus embodied. He is the fulfillment of the law and the culmination of Israel’s story. As stated in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
This transition from the old way of salvation through obedience and sacrifice to the New Covenant established through Christ’s blood marks not the removal of God’s law but its completion. It showcases how the Old Testament consistently directs us toward recognizing our need for salvation, accessible through faith in Jesus. In this way, we see that while people in the Old Testament found salvation through faith, longing, and obedience, it was ultimately pointing to a future hope fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We, as believers, inherit the promises made long ago, celebrating how God’s plan harmoniously weaves throughout history.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on how people were saved before Jesus helps us grasp the richness of God’s character. Throughout the Old Testament, we see a God who desires to deliver, heal, and save His people, establishing love and grace as foundational principles from the beginning.
The faith of the patriarchs taught us that righteousness comes through belief, while the sacrificial system illuminated our need for redemption. The examples of grace shown through individuals like Rahab and David reveal how God’s heart is for all who would seek Him. As a community of believers, we hold dearly to the belief that the stories of old lead us to our ultimate Savior, Jesus Christ, who fulfills the promises of the past.
In understanding the legacy of salvation before His coming, we equip ourselves with a richer comprehension of Grace. By appreciating God’s unchanging nature throughout salvific history, we reinforce our faith today as we walk in relationship with our Lord and Savior. Together, we continue to celebrate His love, mercy, and the wonderful truth that through Jesus, we have been fully reconciled to Him.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4