Dad Tax (Halloween Tradition)

How Jesus connected the Old and New Testament

Every Halloween, I make the same joke as I go through my kids' candy bags: I playfully take as many Reese's and peanut butter candies as I desire, calling it the "Dad Tax." Although it's not a formal practice, it's my way of humorously teaching my kids about sharing and preparing them for future responsibilities. This joke reminds me of a deeper biblical concept known as types and shadows.

Just as I introduce my children to the idea of sharing through the "Dad Tax," God used types and shadows in the Old Testament to foreshadow the coming of Jesus Christ. These symbolic representations and patterns prepared God's people for the fulfillment of His redemptive plan through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

Jesus taught on the road to Damascus that the entire Old Testament points forward to his life, death, and resurrection. This is evident in a few ways. First, there are direct prophecies. Second, history and nations align perfectly for his coming. Third, the types, allusions, and foreshadowing throughout the Old Testament prepare God's people to be ready for the suffering servant.

For example, the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, where animals were offered for the forgiveness of sins, prefigured Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb who would bring complete atonement for sin. Figures like Joseph, who was betrayed by his brothers but later became their savior, foreshadowed Jesus' role as the suffering servant who would reconcile humanity to God.

Just as my playful "Dad Tax" introduces my kids to the concept of future responsibilities in a light-hearted way, God used types and shadows throughout the Old Testament to gradually reveal His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. These examples deepen my appreciation for God's faithfulness and His intricate design in unfolding His redemptive purposes throughout history.