Should Christians Read the Old Testament?

Why should believers in Jesus read the Old Testament? Isn't the Old Testament unnecessary now that Jesus has come?

I once heard a preacher say that a person doesn't need to read the Old Testament to understand the New Testament. Nothing could be further from the truth!

The New Testament is not simply the fulfillment the Old Testament but is the living embodiment of the Tenach (Hebrew term for Old Testament). Jesus himself said he came not to abolish but to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17-20). But if a person had not read the Law how would they know what Jesus had come to fulfill?

The sacrificial system found in Leviticus lay the symbolic picture for the ultimate sacrifice that we call Good Friday. Hosea tells the story of betrayal but ultimate love and forgiveness through the adultery of Gomer and serves as a real illustration of God's love for Israel and ultimately for all His children. Micah gives the location of the Messiah's birth. Zechariah foretells the triumphal entry we remember as Palm Sunday. Song of Solomon tells the love story of Solomon and his bride.

39 books which foreshadow the story of Jesus followed by 27 books which tell the story of him. The Old Testament is extremely important and should be read daily. So the next time you get bogged down in Leviticus on your plan to read through the Bible in a year, remember that Leviticus tells the story of redemption - a redemption that we all need.