There’s a moment in a believer’s journey when the pieces start to click.

You realize that Jesus is the perfect representation of God’s nature (Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:15). Everything He says and does reveals who God truly is.

But then comes the challenge—what do you do with the Old Testament?

What about those tough passages where God seems angry, violent, or contradictory to the love of Jesus?

If you’ve come to the conclusion that Jesus is the lens through which we must interpret Scripture, then you’re on the right track.

Now, let’s get practical—how do you actually read and understand the Old Testament through Him?

Jesus is the clearest revelation of God (John 1:14, John 14:9). If any passage seems to contradict His nature, it means we need to dig deeper.

Before reading a difficult Old Testament passage, ask: How did Jesus treat people? How did He interpret Scripture? How did He respond to violence, enemies, and sinners?

These questions will help frame your understanding.

God revealed Himself gradually throughout history, meeting people where they were. The Old Testament reflects a journey—people’s understanding of God was limited and often mixed with their cultural perspectives.

For example:

• 2 Samuel 24:1
  "The anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He incited David against them, saying, 'Go, take a census.'"

• 1 Chronicles 21:1
  "Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census."

In 2 Samuel 24:1, it says that God incited David to take a census of Israel, which later led to judgment. However, in 1 Chronicles 21:1, the same event is attributed to Satan as the one who incited David.

This contrast highlights the progressive nature of revelation—earlier understandings of God's actions were later clarified.

Jesus, being the full revelation of God, shows us the truth: God is not the author of evil or temptation (James 1:13).

Further reading: The Bible Contradicts Itself—And You Better Not Fall For It

Jesus often reinterpreted Old Testament laws and traditions, revealing God’s true heart.

• The law says, “An eye for an eye.” Jesus says, “Turn the other cheek.” (Matthew 5:38-39)

• Moses permitted divorce, but Jesus said it was never God’s original intent (Matthew 19:8).

Whenever an Old Testament passage seems harsh or legalistic, ask: How did Jesus interpret or fulfill this?

The Old Testament records people’s experiences of God, but that doesn’t always mean they fully understood Him.

• In Job, Job and his friends make claims about God that God later rebukes (Job 42:7).

• The disciples thought calling down fire (like Elijah) was godly, but Jesus corrected them (Luke 9:54-55).

If something in Scripture seems out of character for Jesus, consider whether it reflects a misunderstanding of God rather than His actual nature.

Further reading: Job Was Wrong—So Why Do We Still Believe It?

Hebrews 10:1 says the Law was a shadow of the good things to come. It points forward to Jesus, but He is the reality that fulfills it.

When reading Old Testament stories, look for glimpses of Christ:

• The Passover lamb → Jesus as the ultimate Lamb of God.

• The manna in the wilderness → Jesus as the Bread of Life.

• The temple sacrifices → Jesus as the perfect atonement.

The cross is the clearest picture of who God is—self-giving love, not wrathful destruction. If an Old Testament story seems to contradict this, ask: Does this align with the God revealed in Jesus?

For example, the flood (Genesis 6-9):

• A surface reading: God wiped out humanity in anger.

• Through Jesus: Jesus calms storms, He doesn’t send them (Mark 4:39). The cross reveals that God absorbs judgment rather than punishing. The flood can be seen as a human perspective of divine justice, but Jesus shows that God’s justice is restorative, not destructive.

Further reading: Did God Send an Evil Spirit? Understanding Abimelech

Further reading: Does God Create Evil? Answering Isaiah 45:7

“Some people read their Bibles in Hebrew, some in Greek; I like to read mine in the Holy Ghost.” — Smith Wigglesworth

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). Instead of just reading the Bible literally, ask the Spirit: What is God really revealing here? Let love be the ultimate test (1 John 4:8).

If Jesus didn't think the Holy Spirit was capable of leading us into all truth, He wouldn't have said it. The problem is that we don't believe He can, or we don't trust our ability to hear truth from Him.

But Jesus promised that His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27). The Spirit of Truth is not distant or silent—He is within us, always guiding, always revealing. The more we rely on Him, the clearer our understanding becomes. This is why reading Scripture apart from the Spirit leads to confusion, but reading it with Him brings life and clarity. Trust that He is speaking, and lean into His voice.

To make this practical, use this simple acronym when approaching tough passages:

J.E.S.U.S.

• J – Jesus First
  How does Jesus reveal God’s heart? If a passage seems to contradict Jesus’ nature, pause and reconsider.

• E – Examine the Context
  Who is speaking? What was their understanding of God at the time? Is this God’s actual voice or a human interpretation?

• S – Shadow or Substance?
  Hebrews 10:1 says the Old Testament is a shadow of Christ. Is this passage pointing forward to Jesus? How does He fulfill or reinterpret it?

• U – Unveil Through the Cross
  The cross is the clearest picture of God’s justice and love. Does this passage align with the self-giving, enemy-loving Jesus?

• S – Spirit-Led Interpretation
  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth (John 16:13). If an interpretation makes God seem unloving or unlike Jesus, reconsider.

If you're struggling with certain passages, it's okay. You don't have to force an answer or have everything figured out right away.

Truth unfolds over time. God is not in a hurry, and neither should you be.

Let your conscience guide you. If something doesn’t sit right, you don’t have to force yourself to accept it. Instead, hold it loosely, bring it before God, and trust that in the right time, He will make it clear.

It’s also okay to settle in the revelation of Jesus even if you can’t yet explain every tough passage. Knowing Him—His character, His love, His ways—is enough.

The disciples didn’t understand everything at once—they didn't even have the Bible we have today, they were still writing it! But they did have Jesus, and they walked with Him and trusted Him to reveal truth as they were ready.

You can do the same.

Don't forget: this is about a living relationships with a living Person—not just about theology.

Faith is a journey, not a race. Trust that God will illuminate His Word to you in the right time, and until then, rest in the goodness of Jesus.

Reading the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus brings clarity, consistency, and peace. Instead of a dualistic God (angry in the Old Testament, loving in the New), we see one God whose nature has always been love—fully revealed in Christ.

By using the J.E.S.U.S. method, you can read tough passages without fear or confusion, knowing that Jesus is the key to understanding God’s heart.

Any theology that contradicts the life and teachings of Jesus needs to be re-examined through Him—the author and finisher of our Faith.

He is the only One who can fully reveal the letter and nature of God to us. Anything in Scripture that seems to contradict His character and teachings must be understood in light of Him.

So the main purpose of the Bible is to point and lead us to Jesus, who fully reveals the Father (Hebrews 1:3). And when we come to Him, His Spirit of Truth opens the Scriptures to us in ways we’ve never seen before—just like what happened to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

They said in Luke 24:32:

"Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"

And for some of you, as you are reading this, your heart is burning within because you've always known deep down that your Father is a good Father, and God is a good God.

And that is the Spirit of Truth, Jesus, testifying within you.

He truly can and wants to lead you into all truth.

Related read:

• 7 Reasons Why Christians Choose the Bible Over Jesus

• Why Jesus Must Be the Foundation of Our Theology