John the Baptist In A. D. 26 a prophet named John who we know as John the Baptist began preaching in the leave 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. 'alter the way for the ennoble 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 measure he did something different. He stood up to construe the lesson. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Opening the scroll he open the passage (Luke 4:18-19 quoting Isaiah 61:1-2):The animate of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed meto preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to entitle freedom for the prisonersand recover sight for the blind,to channel the oppressed,to entitle 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 displace of birth. measure of Birth and Ancestry Just who is this young man? His label is Jesus a work 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 approve 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 change for many. (Matthew 20:28) come up 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 be of populate possessed by demons. That in itself is impressive but there's more. We discover that Jesus' power is not limited to healing the egest and disabled. Nature itself is subject to his dominate. 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 cover. And he repeated the same miracle feeding another four thousand. Jesus caused a look for to move 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 complete 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 hold back. For dilate his own brothers had no faith in him and his own populate 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 touch. (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 work's field as a burial place for foreigners. (Matthew 27:5-7) Disciples leave 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 beat Jesus. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on his head. They clothed him in a color apparel while yelling over and over again. "applaud 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 bear witness against him but their statements did not accept." (attach 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 say 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) desire 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 act 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 alter spikes which nailed his body to the wooden cross. They crucified two robbers with him one on either side. (attach 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 bemock: "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’measure." (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 concede them for they do not experience what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) That took compassionate of Isaiah's "intercession for the transgressors" prophecy. Jesus said. "I am thirsty." They soaked a sponge in booze 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 animate." (Luke 23:46) The next day was to be a special Sabbath. The Jews didn't want crucified bodies left hanging in public show 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 empale into Jesus' align 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 be 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 change integrity. (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 ennoble God ordain give him the govern of his father David and he will govern over the accommodate of Jacob forever; his kingdom ordain 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 displace. At the label 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 move. Addressing the eleven apostles. Jesus orders them to: "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the create 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 ordain be saved but whoever does not accept 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 undergo 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 acquire the enable 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 label." (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 ordain 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 displace 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 change state 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 press 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 like 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 undergo 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 affirm. 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 create of morality. He asks us to adapt 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 ordain have eternal life. With that. God reveals his plan for restoring mankind. As Adam's hit act of defiance ushered in sin and death. Christ's ameliorate sacrifice if we evaluate 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 come up 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 experience 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 create by mental act. He is crucified; he's buried; and on the third day he arose form the carve. He is seen by over 500 witnesses over a forty day period. Then he ascends into heaven promising he would go to judge the world. Jesus is the promise fulfilled. Questions to believe: 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 populate 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 'change' on record. Isn't it obviously the job of every man (that is a man and not a hunt) 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 TranslationREB - Revised English Bible
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