Monday, April 6, 2009

Life of Christ: Jesus is the Messiah

A study of the person and life of Jesus Christ 

Lesson Two: Jesus is the Messiah

Discover: Jesus is the fulfillment of OT prophecy concerning the coming Messiah.


Why should we look to prophecy to identify the Messiah?

Jesus used OT to show He was the Messiah

·      Lk 24:27; 24:44

·      Jn 5:46; 8:56

NT authors used OT to show that Jesus was the Messiah

·      Acts 3:18

·      Acts 17:2-3

·      1 Co. 15:3-4

In the OT there are over 60 major prophecies about the coming Messiah and over 270 variables that were fulfilled in one person, Jesus Christ.

Lineage to His birth

God began to show us who the Messiah would be, and through history, progressively narrowed it down to Jesus Christ.

It starts in Gen 3:15. We learn the Messiah will be the seed of woman. This is significant because all other people are born seed of man.

Gen. 9-10 – Noah had three sons, Messiah comes through the Line of Shem

·      Gen. 12:3 – As a descendant of Abraham we learn He would be Jewish (Mat. 1:1)

·      Gen. 17:19; 21-22 – Abraham had two sons, Isaac and Ishmael and God chose Isaac (Lk. 3:34)

·      Gen. 28; 35:10-12 – Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau and God chose Jacob (Mat. 1:1; 2:2)

·      Gen. 49 – Jacob had 12 sons who became the 12 tribes of Israel, God chose the tribe of Judah (Lk. 3:33)

·      Out of all of Judah’s family lines, God chose Jesse

·      2 Samuel 7:12-16 and Jer. 23:5 – Jesse had eight children, God chose the house of David (Lk. 1:32-33)

Through the OT we learn that the Messiah will be the seed of a woman, the lineage of Sham, the race of the Jews in the line of Abraham, the line of Isaac, the line of Jacob, of the tribe of Judah, and be of the house of David. God progressively narrowed the identity of the Messiah.

His Birth

As the OT ends we have 400 years of silence but then God continues to speak prophecy through an angle in gospel of Luke 1:26-35 where we learn of the Messiah’s divine birth, its time, and who His earthly parents will be. This is more narrowing as God gives us signs and directions to the Messiah.

Then we see the circumstances surrounding the Messiah’s birth fulfilled by Jesus:

Prophecy

Old Testament Prediction

New Testament Fulfillment

The Savior would come as a child.

Isaiah 9:6

Luke 2:11

The Savior would be born in Bethlehem of Judea.

Micah 5:2-5

Matthew 2:1-6

The Savior would be born of a virgin.

Isaiah 7:13-14

Matthew 1:18-25

Kings would bring the Savior gifts and bow at His feet.

Psalm 72:10-11

Matthew 2:7-11

The Savior’s birth would trigger a king to slaughter children.

Jeremiah 31:15

Matthew 2:16-18

 

Do you realize how much this narrows Jesus of the NT to be the one and only possible fulfillment of the Messiah prophesied of in the OT?

Illustration – silver coins in Texas

Using the science of probability scholars of prophecy give the chance that even 8 of these prophecies being fulfilled from the beginning of time to the present age in only one man is 1 in 1017.  

To help us comprehend this number Peter W. Stoner gives an illustration.

·      Take 1017 number of silver dollars – this would cover the state of TX two feet deep in silver dollars

·      Mark one and mix it up with all the others, all over the state

·      Blindfold a man and let him travel as far and deep as he wishes

·      Let him chose any silver dollar and give it to you as the one of his choice

· What chance would he have of getting the silver dollar you marked?

·      1017 – the same chance 8 of these OT prophecies could be fulfilled in one man. Remember that Jesus filled over 60 prophecies including over 270 variables necessary to do so.

This clearly shows not only the divine inspiration of the OT and its prophecies, but also the reality that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and Savior sent by God.

His Death

This is one of my favorites and almost gives me the chills every time I study these passages. One of the most compelling prophecies concerning the coming Messiah fulfilled by Jesus is found in His death.

Psalm 22

Take a minute and read Matt. 27:33-46 and John 19:23-37, two passages that speak to the events surrounding the death and crucifixion of Jesus.

Compare this to Psalm 22

Ps. 22:1 – Matt. 27:46 – My God, My God

Ps. 22:2 – Matt. 27:45 – darkness

Ps. 22:6 – Matt. 27:39-44 – despised by people

Ps. 22:7-8, 13 – Matt. 27:39-44 - surrounded by enemies

Ps. 22:14, 16 – John 19:34, 37 – pierced hands and feet

Ps. 22:15 - Matt. 27:28-30 - thirsty

Ps. 22:17a – John 19:36 – no broken bones

Ps. 22:17b – Matt. 27:36 – look at Him

Ps. 22:18 – Matt. 27:35 – cast lots

Ps. 22:18 – John 19:23-24 – did not tear garment

Ps. 22: 21; 31:5 – John 19:30 – gave up His spirit

If you have taken the time to read through these passages you can probably relate to the chills I mentioned earlier. It validates our faith in Christ as Messiah and Savior. It reinforces the fact that Jesus fulfilled everything prophesied about the Messiah, and many outside of His control. It testifies to the magnificent timing and sovereignty of God working together with the freewill of man. It is an amazing blessing to have this revelation and confirmation that Jesus is the Messiah and Savior.

I hope you have been blessed.

 

1 comment:

Whitnizzle said...

Stone. You might not remember me. I was 14 when we met. :)

Found your blog through Mark McGurren. Good stuff I'll be sure to follow along.

Congrats on the beautiful wife and blessed life.

Peace. Whitney Baker Goble aka Office girl @ CBS.