The First Testament of Jesus Christ

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Jesus Christ in Gethsemane

Christ in Gethsemane, by Michael T. Malm

My occupation as a professor regularly requires that I conduct research in Jerusalem on the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls. My wife, Camille, and I have been blessed to sail on several boats on the Sea of Galilee. We take these opportunities to reflect on the many scriptures that speak of the seas.

For example, Micah says that Jehovah will “cast all [our] sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19)—not a few or a portion of them but all of them. “All” denotes a full pardon. “Depths” means far below the water’s surface, where our sins will vanish forevermore.

Thankfully, Jehovah does not cast our sins on the shore, where others can view them. Moreover, the sea’s water serves as a cleansing agent. Through Jehovah’s willingness to bear our iniquities (see Isaiah 53:11), our sins are washed away. Through our repentance, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles affirms, we are assured a place at His side (see page 4).

Other Old Testament prophets present numerous compelling and expressive passages about the Savior. This is because the Old Testament is a Jesus Christ–focused text. It is, in truth, the First Testament of Jesus Christ.

I hope this truth resonates with you this year as you study the Old Testament, and I hope that my small contribution to this month’s Liahona (see page 40) will strengthen your testimony of that truth.

Sincerely,

Donald W. Parry

Professor, Brigham Young University