Part 3- Grace Through the Law: The Old Testament Isn’t Grace-Free

A lot of Christians treat the Old Testament like the “angry part” of the Bible. Full of rules. Full of judgment. Full of wrath. We read the Law and wonder, “Where’s the grace?”

But here’s the truth: God didn’t change between the Old and New Testaments. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. And grace didn’t begin at the cross; it was woven into the Law itself.

Yes, the Law reveals God’s holiness. Yes, it exposes our sin. But even in its harshest commands, the Law is a gift of grace.

The Purpose of the Law: A Mirror, Not a Ladder
The Law was never meant to be a ladder we climb to get to God. It’s a mirror that shows us we could never reach Him on our own.

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor unto Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”
—Galatians 3:24 (LSB)

That word tutor means guardian or schoolmaster. In other words, the Law wasn’t designed to save us—it was designed to lead us to the One who could.

The Law exposes our inability. It shows us how far we’ve fallen. And in doing so, it prepares our hearts for grace.

The Sacrifices: A Shadow of the Savior
When you read about all the blood, the priests, the offerings—it can feel harsh. But every sacrifice was pointing forward. Every drop of blood was saying, “Something greater is coming.”

“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
—Hebrews 10:4 (LSB)

The entire sacrificial system was God’s way of teaching His people two things:

• Sin is serious.
• A substitute is necessary.

That’s grace. God didn’t leave His people guessing. He gave them a temporary, symbolic, but meaningful way to approach Him until the perfect sacrifice arrived: Jesus Christ.

God’s Patience: Grace in Every Generation
If you ever think the Old Testament is all judgment, take another look at how patient God was.

How many times did Israel rebel? Worship idols? Complain? Forget God’s faithfulness? And yet over and over, what do we see?

God disciplines, yes—but then He restores. He corrects, but then He calls. He judges, but then He redeems.

“Yet in Your abundant compassion You did not make an end of them or forsake them,
For You are a gracious and compassionate God.”
—Nehemiah 9:31 (LSB)

That’s grace. In every era. In every rebellion. God stayed faithful when His people didn’t. And He does the same with us.

From Sinai to Calvary: Grace Was the Goal All Along
Moses brought the Law down from Mount Sinai. Jesus brought grace down from Heaven.

But the two don’t contradict. They complete each other.

The Law showed us our need. Grace met that need.
The Law said, “Guilty.” Grace says, “Forgiven.”
The Law pointed to righteousness. Grace gives it through Christ.

“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
—John 1:17 (LSB)

It wasn’t a change in God’s character. It was a culmination of His plan. The Law prepares us for the beauty of grace.

So What Does This Mean for Us?
Don’t write off the Old Testament like it’s the harsh prequel to a happier story. The whole Bible is a grace story. And the Law, though it was never meant to save us, played a crucial role in getting us ready for the One who could.

When you read Leviticus, Exodus, or Deuteronomy, don’t just see rules. See a holy God who makes a way for unholy people to come close. That’s grace.

Next up: Part 4 – “Jesus: The Fullness of Grace.”
We’ve seen glimpses of grace from the Garden to the Law. But now we’ll meet grace in person, and His name is Jesus.

In Love,

Pastor Jody