Here is a door, behind which, according to some people, the secret of the universe is waiting for you. Either that's true, or it isn't. If true, it's the greatest truth ever told. If a lie, it is the greatest fraud ever inflicted on humanity. Let's see what's behind that door.
John the Baptist
In A.D. 26, a prophet named John, who we know as John the Baptist, began preaching in the Desert of Judah, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matthew 3:1-2) Quoting the words of Isaiah he said: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' " (Matthew 3:3)
Jesus of Nazareth
Later on in that same year, another young man (about thirty years old) began teaching in the local synagogues around Galilee. Visiting Nazareth, his hometown, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. That was his normal routine, but this time he did something different. He stood up to read the lesson. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Opening the scroll, he found the passage (Luke 4:18-19 quoting Isaiah 61:1-2): The spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recover sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
He read it, rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes remained fixed on him. The young Jew from Nazareth said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21)
Prophecies Fulfilled
Place of birth, Time of Birth, and Ancestry
Just who is this young man? His name is Jesus, a carpenter by trade. He was born in Bethlehem in 6 or 5 B.C., the son of Joseph and Mary. (Matthew 1:16) and (Luke 2:4-6) Both Gospels Matthew and Luke trace his genealogy back to King David, his father Jesse, and on back to Judah, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham. (Matthew 1:1-17) and (Luke 3:23-34)
Other Fulfilled Prophecies
As you can see, Jesus' place of birth, time of birth, and ancestry all match the prophecies. What did he do? He preached the good news of the kingdom of God. (Luke 4:43) He testified to the truth. (John 18:37) He taught using parables. (Matthew 13:34-35) Through his disciples, be brought salvation to the gentiles. (Acts 28:28) He served others, and gave his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)
Well now, this Jesus does sound promising. Was he the predicted Jewish king? Let's set that question aside for a moment and see how the other Messianic prophecies turned out.
Miracles
Did he perform miracles? Yes, more than anyone before or since. Jesus gave sight to the blind; hearing to the deaf; cured leprosy and numerous other diseases; healed those who were crippled and paralyzed. Also he healed a woman who was bleeding, a man with a shriveled hand, and another with dropsy, and a good number of people possessed by demons. That in itself is impressive, but there's more.
We discover that Jesus' power is not limited to healing the sick and disabled. Nature itself is subject to his command. On at least three occasions Jesus raised the dead: Jairus' daughter, the widow's son at Nain, and Lazarus. He fed five thousand people with a few fish and loaves of bread.
And he repeated the same miracle feeding another four thousand. Jesus caused a fish to turn up with a coin in its mouth to pay the temple tax. At his command, an unproductive fig tree withered. He turned water into wine. And twice he produced spectacular catches of fish. Jesus certainly satisfied the miracle requirement. But what about the donkey?
Donkey and Prophecies Beyond Jesus' Control
Jesus took care to fulfill Zechariah's five hundred year old prophecy. As he approached Jerusalem, he sent two of his disciples into a village to get a donkey. Just as prophesied, he road triumphantly into Jerusalem on that donkey. (Matthew 21:6-11) and (Luke 19:28-35)
It should be noted that other Messianic prophecies were fulfilled over which Jesus had little or no control. For instance, his own brothers had no faith in him, and his own people would not accept him. (John 7:5 and 1:11) And even after the Jews saw Jesus perform miracles, they still hated him. (John 15:24)
Betrayal
Likewise, the prophecies of Jesus' betrayal fell in place just as they were predicted. Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles betrayed Jesus with a kiss. (Matthew 26:48-49) Judas was paid exactly thirty pieces of silver for his duplicity. (Matthew 26:14-15)
After the temple guards arrested Jesus, Judas had a change of heart. He threw the money into the temple and left. The chief priests used the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. (Matthew 27:5-7)
Disciples Desert and Deny Jesus
To their discredit, Jesus' disciples fulfilled Zechariah's grim prophecy. When Jesus was arrested, the disciples deserted him and fled. (Matthew 26:56) Peter, the most prominent and outspoken of the apostles, denied three times that he even knew Jesus. (Matthew 26:69-75)
Mocked, Abused, and Crucified
Both Jews and Romans mocked and abused Jesus. At the trial in the Sanhedrin, the Jews spat in his face, blindfolded him, struck him with their fists and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?" And the guards took him and beat him. (Matthew 26:67), (Mark 14:65), and (Luke 22:63-65)
Pilate had Roman soldiers flog Jesus. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe, while yelling over and over again, "Hail, king of the Jews!" Then they hit him in the face. (John 19:1-3)
During the Sanhedrin trial, Mark reports that: "Many gave false evidence against him, but their statements did not agree." (Mark 14:56) Matthew tells us: "The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin tried to find some allegation against Jesus that would warrant a death sentence. But they failed to find one, though many came forward with false evidence." (Matthew 26:59-60)
The high priest asked Jesus if he would answer the charges. But Jesus remained silent. (Matthew 26:62-63) Later, before Pilate, the Chief priest and elders brought charges against him. But he made no reply. (Matthew 27:12)
Like a jigsaw puzzle, all the pieces seem to fit together - just as the prophets foresaw hundreds of years before the events. Many detailed predictions were reserved for Christ's death. Let's take a close look to see how they were fulfilled.
Both Jews and gentiles were involved in Jesus' death. Jews arrested, tried, condemned, and took him to the Romans for execution. When Pilate proved reluctant, the Jews put all the pressure they could exert on the governor. Pilate, however unwilling he may have been, was the one who gave the order. His men flogged, ridiculed, and crucified Jesus.
Jesus was crucified in the usual Roman manner. His hands and feet were pierced by large dull spikes which nailed his body to the wooden cross. They crucified two robbers with him, one on either side. (Mark 15:27) and (Matthew 27:38)
After the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares. The tunic was seamless, woven throughout in one piece. They decided it was too valuable to tear, so they cast lots for it. (John 19:23-24)
Those who passed by yelled insults. "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days, save yourself. Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God." (Matthew 27:39-40) The chief priest and teachers of the law added their own brand of ridicule: "He trusts in God. Let God rescue him if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" (Matthew 27:41-43)
Ironically, their very insults fulfilled Psalm 22:7-8 almost verbatim. "All who see me, hurl insults, shaking their heads: 'He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him.'"
"At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock." (Matthew 27:45 NLT) Notice that's too long for an eclipse of the sun. Amos' eight hundred year old prophecy proved true.
While dying on the cross, Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) That took care of Isaiah's "intercession for the transgressors" prophecy.
Jesus said, "I am thirsty." They soaked a sponge in wine vinegar mixed with gall and offered it to him (John 19:28-29) and (Matthew 27:34) Quoting Psalm 22:1, Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) Then quoting Psalm 31:5 Jesus said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)
The next day was to be a special Sabbath. The Jews didn't want crucified bodies left hanging in public display over the Sabbath. They requested that the legs be broken to hasten death for the three men. The soldiers complied by breaking the legs of the two robbers, but when they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead. Instead of breaking his legs, one of the Roman soldiers thrust his spear into Jesus' side to make sure he was dead.
John notes that these things happened so that the scriptures would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken." (Psalm 34:20) And: "They will look on the one they have pierced." (Zachariah 12:10) and (John 19:36-37)
Burial and Resurrection
A rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was a disciple of Jesus, requested Jesus' body. Joseph wrapped the body in a linen cloth and placed it in his own tomb carved from rock. (Matthew 27:57-60) Peter informs us that Christ's body didn't decay. (Acts 2:31) The apostle goes on to say: "God raised Jesus to life, and we (meaning the now eleven apostles) were all witnesses of the fact." (Acts 2:32)
Spiritual Kingdom
But what about the promised kingdom? When the angel Gabriel told Mary of her forthcoming son, he said: "The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:32-33) How does that square with the facts we know about Jesus?
Jesus himself answers the question. When speaking to Pilate, he says: "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my followers would have fought the Jews when they came to arrest me. My kingdom is from another place." (John 18:36)
Clearly Jesus is talking about something beyond the physical realm here. He is speaking of a spiritual kingdom. Paul confirms this in his letter to the Philippians: "God exalted [Jesus] to the highest place. At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth." (Philippians 2:9-10)
Spreading the Kingdom
After his resurrection, Jesus tells us: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." (Matthew 28:18) Then he proceeds to explain how his kingdom will be spread. Addressing the eleven apostles, Jesus orders them to: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)
In his Gospel, Mark adds this quote from Jesus, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16)
Luke provides us with another quote commonly called the Great Commission. Jesus prophesies: "Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in [my] name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:47)
On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached to devout Jews from every nation. He said bluntly: "God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ." They believed him and asked what they should do.
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off -- for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:36-39)
With these words, Peter is telling us the promise continues and is still with us today. As Gabriel said announcing Jesus' birth: "His kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:33) And as Jesus himself said, "I will be with you always, to the end of time." (Matthew 28:20 REB)
Unrecognized Messiah
Prophecy after prophecy after prophecy fell neatly into place. Over two thousand years of predictions were fulfilled in minute detail through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you can see, those Messianic predictions fit Jesus like a glove. No one before or since has come close to measuring up.
But if this is so obvious to us, why didn't the religious Jews of Jesus' day recognize it? It becomes all the more curious when we consider that Jesus was born at a time and place where Jews and others were eagerly expecting the Messiah.
When all is said and done, it comes down to this: Jesus just wasn't what the Jews were looking for. Israel was in the clutches of the Roman empire. Most Jews didn't like it a bit. They were hoping for political independence from Rome.
The promised Messiah was thought to be a military superstar who would liberate them from foreign domination. He, so they believed, would restore the nation to the prominence they enjoyed during David's day. After all, didn't the prophet Daniel say the Messiah would crush the ruling kingdoms, and set up a new kingdom which would never be destroyed, nor left to another people? (Daniel 2:44)
This prophecy encouraged the concept of the Messiah as a reigning military hero. That's what the public was hoping for in 30 A.D. Jesus, with his talk of love, forgiveness, and his not-of-this-world kingdom, just didn't seem right for the job. Besides they killed him, didn't they? He's dead. Obviously, he was not the promised Messiah.
That is how most of the Jews viewed Jesus after his death.
From our historical vantage point, we can see that several of those Messianic prophecies have been fulfilled in ways first century Jews could never have imagined. The spiritual kingdom Christ founded began with a mere handful of dedicated men.
Despite hardships and persecutions, Christianity spread rapidly throughout the Roman empire. Within a few hundred years of his death, emperors, kings, and nobles along with hundreds of thousands of common people were bowing their knees worshipping the crucified Jew from Nazareth.
Today, almost two thousand years later, Christianity is still going strong. And its impact is felt worldwide. Jesus' kingdom reigns in the hearts and minds of all who put their trust in him.
We have uncovered a substantial body of evidence supporting the Hebrew prophets of the Old Testament. What they said would happen, did indeed happen. They claimed their information came from God. We have no reason for disputing their claim.
God's Plan of Redemption
Those same Hebrew prophets told us of the Messiah who was to come. They provided us with explicit details of his forthcoming life, death, and resurrection. He is to be our hope of salvation, our hope for eternal life. Then there appears one in Galilee who matches the description.
He preaches with authority; he speaks in parables; he performs numerous extraordinary miracles. He teaches the highest form of morality. He asks us to obey him in all things and follow his example. We are to imitate him; we are to become little "Christs" following his footsteps.
He tells us he is the one and only path to salvation. He is the unblemished sacrificial lamb who was born to die in our place. All who repent of their sins and follow him will have eternal life.
With that, God reveals his plan for restoring mankind. As Adam's single act of defiance ushered in sin and death, Christ's perfect sacrifice, if we accept him, frees us from sin and death. That's what Christ taught, and that's what Christians believe.
You may be wondering if those Messianic prophecies were actual predictions of future events. Or, is it possible they were written after Jesus lived and died? Perhaps they fit Jesus so well because his proponents wrote them after the events took place. That might sound plausible until you consider the Septuagint.
The entire Old Testament, Messianic prophecies and all, were translated into the Greek Septuagint around 275 B.C. Thus we know everyone of the Biblical prophecies had to predate Jesus by at least 250 years.
After Jesus finished his assigned tasks on earth, he completed the prophecies by submitting himself to the most cruel punishment and death Rome could devise. He is crucified; he's buried; and on the third day, he arose form the grave. He is seen by over 500 witnesses over a forty day period. Then he ascends into heaven promising he would return to judge the world. Jesus is the promise fulfilled.
Questions to Consider: 1.Did Jesus fulfill the Biblical prophecies? 2.Is there any doubt that he is the Messiah, the Christ, the promised one? 3. Is this the most important event in all of history?
Quote of the Day: "Here is a door, behind which, according to some people, the secret of the universe is waiting for you. Either that's true, or it isn't. And if it isn't, then what that door really conceals is simply the greatest fraud, the most colossal 'sell' on record. Isn't it obviously the job of every man (that is a man and not a rabbit) to try to find out which, and then to devote his full energies either to serving this tremendous secret or to exposing and destroying this gigantic humbug?" C. S. Lewis God in the Dock "Man or Rabbit" (1945)
Note: All Scripture References are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise stated. NLT - New Living Translation REB - Revised English Bible
Jerry Boone, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States webmaster@merechristianity.us Mr. Boone is a sailor, author, and webmaster of http://merechristianity.us with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Georgia State University. His works include: Mere Christianity.us and SAFETY LINE - EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN, an apologetic study published 1998.
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