Jesus

Prophecy

Our subject for today is Jesus. Such a broad subject with primarily believers seems to be an obvious subject. What I want to do today is to allow the scriptures to speak for themselves and then follow up with some concluding thoughts about the person of Jesus. Having grown up in a religious household and being given many opportunities to study the Bible both formally and informally, we often assume that Jesus is who he claims to be—the Son of God and God in the flesh. But such a belief is not easily accepted by all. Let’s look at some of the Old Testament texts which prophesied about Jesus and then we will look at the fulfillment of those prophecies in the life of Jesus.

There are a number of prophesies or statements about the Messiah which find fulfillment in the life and person of Jesus. Let’s look at several. This is not an exhaustive list, but are representative of the intent of God in his written word.

Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:1). Messiah was to be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:18-25). Messiah was to be a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-19 and John 7:40). Messiah was to be of the house of David (Jeremiah 23:5 and Luke 3:23). Messiah was to perform miracles (Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4). Messiah was to enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9 and Matthew 21:2-7). Messiah was to be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9 and Luke 22:19-23). Messiah was to be sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12 and Matthew 26:15). Messiah was to be silent before his accusers (Isaiah 53:7 and Matthew 27:12). Messiah was to be beaten, wounded, and spat on (Isaiah 50:6 and Matthew 26:67). Messiah’s death was to bring darkness (Amos 8:9 and Matthew 27:45).

These eleven are not all. Isaiah speaks of the Messiah coming from the shoot of the stump of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1-5); is to be preceded by a messenger (Isaiah 40:3); and Messiah’s ministry is to begin in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1). The psalms speak of the crucifixion (Psalm 22:14-17), to be given vinegar and gall to drink (Psalm 69:21), to be raised from the dead (Psalm 16:10), and to be seated at God’s right hand (Psalm 110:1). Zechariah speaks of the money for betrayal being thrown into the temple (Zechariah 11:13), the money is used to buy a Potter’s field (Zechariah 11:13), and the Messiah forsaken (Zechariah 13:7).

There is much in the Old Testament which points to the Messiah and in the gospel accounts many of these prophecies are shown to have their fulfillment in Jesus. He is the Messiah. While there are many times in the gospel accounts that Jesus claims divinity none is clearer than when he is standing before Caiaphas as he is about to die in Matthew 26:63-64. “Are you the Messiah?” “Yes, it is as you say.” The Old Testament pointed to the Messiah and Jesus claims that role.

Testimony

Peter says in Matthew 16:16, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter says in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Paul in our reading says that God has given Jesus a name above every name and that Jesus is Lord. Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:5-6, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all men.” What claims! We cannot ignore such claims. We either accept or reject them. To be passive about these claims is to reject. To go through the motion of confessing Christ as Lord and yet living life without concern for him and his ways is to reject him. But unlike the myths of ancient writers or Eastern religions, the claims of Jesus beg to be investigated. In 1 Corinthians 15:6 in light of the claim about the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead, Paul says that there are over 500 witnesses to the physical resurrection. The point cannot be missed. If there is doubt, interview the witnesses. Almost 20 centuries have passed since the challenge was given. But like any historical figure we can do some research and verify the veracity of the claims.

Tacitus writing around 115 A.D. writes about the history of Rome. He includes a section on Nero who in 64 A.D. watched as Rome burned. Tacitus is not a Christian nor is he a friend of Christians, but in explaining what happened with Nero writes about the Christian movement. About the same time another historian, Suetonius, writes about the career of Claudius, emperor of Rome in 41-54 A.D. The Christian movement was in Rome 20 years after the death of Jesus. A contemporary of Suetonius and Tacitus was Pliny. He was appointed to serve as imperial legate of the province of Bithynia in Asia Minor. While filling the post, he carried on an amazing exchange of letters with the emperor. He wrote Trajan, 98-117 A.D. explaining his problem in conducting trials of persons accused of being Christians.

In addition to the Bible, there are external Jewish sources which mention Jesus. While there are very few copies and the completeness of the works are questioned, the writings of Josephus includes a mention of Jesus. Josephus wrote around 70 A.D. He was not a Christian nor a friend to Christians. He was Jewish writing for pay from the Romans but he mentions Jesus calling him the “so-called Christ.”

The Mishnah and Talmud mention Jesus. These documents from the 2nd to 5th centuries A.D. speak of Jesus in derogatory terms but they never question his existence. In fact, they assume his existence but reject his claims. These external sources verify the historical existence of Jesus while rejecting his claims.

Impact and Decision

We cannot overestimate the impact that Jesus has had on this world. Our calendar is associated with his birth. Hospitals exist because Christians extended the compassion of Christ to others. Wars have been fought over the name of Jesus. More books have been written about Jesus than any other person in history. Thousands have given their lives as martyrs for Jesus. H.G. Wells, an unbeliever, said, “When I was asked which single individual has left the most permanent impression on the world, the manner of the questioner almost carried the implication that it was Jesus of Nazareth. I agreed.” Is there any other explanation for the impact that Jesus has had on our world other than he is who he claims to be?

The validity of Jesus’ impact rests on his character. When one reads about the character of Jesus one is impressed with his compassion and yet his allegiance to God’s truths and laws. In John 8:46, Jesus makes the claim that he is sinless and offers for others to point out his sin. And his accusers remained silent. When Judas betrayed Jesus, he did so by leading Jesus’ enemies to him in the garden of Gethsemane. He did not betray him by pointing out his sin or the error of his teaching. When Pilate interrogated him, Luke reports that Pilate found no basis for charges against him (Luke 23:14). Politics drove his decision not moral or spiritual authority.

Examine the life of Jesus. He ate with people who were outcasts; he allowed sinners to touch him; he visited the homes of those that others rejected; he showed compassion to a woman caught in adultery and yet called her to leave her life of sin. Accusations were made against Jesus that he spent too much time with the sinners, but no one ever accused him of sin. Jesus’ moral character was above reproach.

It is that same compassion and grace that Jesus extends to all. Jesus not only existed; Jesus not only fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament; but Jesus lived a life demonstrating that God loves us. Jesus demonstrates for us that God stepped into our world. God took on the form of man. God became a servant among us to prove to us that he cares for us deeply and intensely. What are you going to decide? Do you accept Jesus’ claims or reject them?

Follow Jesus

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