Substitution, then imitation

Christ-centered preaching has provided a useful framework to recover the message of the OT today (see Luke 24:27).  While we don't want to look for Jesus in every detail of the storyline (a problem with this approach- I prefer the language of God-centered preaching, ie Father, Son and Holy Spirit), inasmuch as ancestry, kingship, obedience to the law, holiness, judgement and sacrifice  are discussed, these overall motifs do provide way points (or antecedents) for us to connect individual stories to their fulfillment represented in Jesus.  Think about it.  Jesus as the second Adam is the fulfillment of the human race, as king He is the fulfillment of the davidic dynasty, as the Righteous one, He is the fulfillment of the law (secured by his perfect obedience), as the Holy One, He is the fulfillment of holiness and as the Lamb of God, He is our atoning sacrifice.  So yes, a Christ-centered reading of the OT, when the text warrants it, really makes the OT relevant to the life of a follower of Jesus today.  

This Christ-centered reading of the OT also means that we embrace the substitutionary nature of his ministry.  He died as a perfect sacrifice for us. He lived in perfect obedience to the law for us.  He is the perfect king of Israel "who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord; he didn't turn to the right or the left" (to paraphrase the Deuteronomic evaluations in 1, 2 Kings).  To be sure, there are other kings in the davidic line who received a good deuteronomic evaluation (Josiah and Hezekiah for ex), but with Jesus, there are no exceptions (eg. "except in the matter of Uriah"  as with David, 1 Kings 15:5).  In short,  Jesus fulfilled the OT requirements and covenants (covenant with Adam, Abraham , at Sinai and with David) on our behalf.

However, we can't leave the discussion there.  It's one thing to advocate a Christ-centered reading of the OT and to affirm the substitutionary nature of Christ' work on our behalf.  The texts also consistently advocate imitation: "he has shown you, O man, ...Mic 6:8."  So, we receive as a free gift by faith what the Righteous One has earned on our behalf.  But we are also called to follow in the footsteps of the same Righteous One, striving to live a righteous live, always aware that our obedience will never earn us righteousness in His eyes.  Paul says it well: "offer yourselves as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to him which is your spiritual worship" (Rom 12:1-2).  This is not "moralism," it's simply showing loyalty (Hebrew hesed) and love to the One who has given you everything.  Big difference in my mind!

 Of course, and as final point, people throughout history have run into serious problems when one component is left out:  Substitution without imitation leads to a life that doesn't exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (to put it mildly).  But imitation without substitution is also a big problem because it leaves the task of obedience pretty much up to us.  There are shades of variation for the latter, but in the end, you're always the one having to work toward building favor with God.