Review of Jesus On Every Page by David Murray

“Pastor Mike, do people in the Old Testament go to heaven?”

I receive that question a few times every year from teenagers. It is quickly followed up by another question. “Why do they go to heaven since they lived before Jesus?”

This question stumps more than children and teens. Next time you get a chance ask a group of adults that same question. You will likely be surprised that even seasoned believers stumble over that answer. Some will say that they are saved by the Law, others will say that they are saved by grace through faith—but explaining how the sacrifice of Jesus is applied is a little sketchy.

Let’s be honest, many Christians are leery of the Old Testament. Which sermon series would you rather attend—one on Ezekiel or one on Revelation? Many would choose Revelation. We like the New Testament. It feels safe. Familiar. Comfortable. But not the Old Testament. The Old Testament is scary. The average reader can run through books at a time and wonder where in the world Jesus is to be found.

Thanks to David Murray’s new book, Jesus On Every Page, weary Old Testament travelers will have a helpful guide. Murray, an apt guide, gives ten ways for seeing Christ in the OT. The book feels as if the author is taking the reader on a guided tour through the Old Testament. At key points he stops and tells the audience, “To your left you will see Jesus”. Some travelers will rub their eyes and say in response, “I don’t see him quite yet”. To which Murray will continue pointing and explaining and uncovering the Christ that was always there. Other travelers will immediately see what Murray sees.

As a pastor I am grateful for this book. I have many books in my office that explain how to find Christ in the Old Testament. Most are solid books, but unfortunately they are written for academia and not for the layperson. I am thankful that I now I have a book to hand to people when they ask how to read the Old Testament as a Christian. Murray writes so that the everyday reader will see Jesus. I deeply appreciate this.

Furthermore, as a seminary student I found myself seeing Jesus in places that I’ve never seen. I would consider myself an experience traveler along the Old Testament highway. I even teach students to see Jesus as the hero of every page. You might say that I am “all in” as it concerns Christ-centered hermeneutics. And yet, I grew as I read through this book.

I believe, Jesus On Every Page, will benefit readers no matter their Old Testament background. I am certain to keep a few copies of this book handy in my office. I’ll use it in the future and be handing it out to others to use as well.

You can purchase the book here. Also, there are over $100 worth of OT resources available if you buy the book in the next couple days.