Bible 101

Lesson 7: Jesus, a Man of Prophecy and History

Who was this “Jesus of Nazareth”, also called “Messiah”, that His life and death inspired thousands to radically change their allegiances, leave their faiths, and even joyfully die for the faith He established?

Messianic Prophecies

The word “Christ” (or “Messiah”) refers to an anointed king, an expected persona from the OT, who was called by God to come from within His chosen people to redeem them, and rebuild the relationship between them and God, they so wantonly had cast aside in the years of their idol worship. Over time, the Jews came to expect their Messiah to follow the precepts of a worldly king, namely in status, appearance, and use of force. Considering that Jesus did not come in this manner may account for the fierce opposition He faced.

Messianic prophecy were the OT scriptures that pointed to the coming of the Messiah, the circumstances surrounding His coming, and various other aspects concerning His life. Christians believe that the OT prophecies were fulfilled by the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Although many Jews of the time did not accept Jesus as their Messiah, a lot of them did, and they became the Jewish sect first known as the “Christians“ at Antioch.

Some of the best-known Messianic prophecies are as follows:

• Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23)
• A descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16)
• Of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:23, 33; Hebrews 7:14)
• Of the house of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1:1)
• Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7)
• Taken to Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15)
• Survived Herod´s killing of the infants (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:16-18)
• Anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16-17)
• Announced by the messenger of the Lord (John the Baptist) (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 3:1-3)
• Would perform miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 9:35)
• Would preach good news (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:14-21)
• Would minister in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:12-16)
• Would cleanse the Temple (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 21:12-13)
• Would first present Himself as King 173,880 days from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25; Matthew 21:4-11)
• Would enter Jerusalem as a king on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4-9)
• Would be rejected by Jews (Psalm 118:22; I Peter 2:7)
• Would die a humiliating death (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53) involving: - rejection (Isaiah 53:3; John 1:10-11; 7:5,48) - betrayal by a friend (Psalm 41:9; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:18) - sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14-15) - silence before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12-14) - being mocked (Psalm 22: 7-8; Matthew 27:31) - beaten (Isaiah 52:14; Matthew 27:26) - spat upon (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:30) - piercing His hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; Matthew 27:31) - being crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38) - praying for His persecutors (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34) - piercing His side (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34) - given gall and vinegar to drink (Psalm 69:21, Matthew 27:34, Luke 23:36) - having no broken bones (Psalm 34:20; John 19:32-36) - being buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60) - lots cast for His garments (Psalm 22:18; John 19:23-24)
• Would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Mark 16:6; Acts 2:31)
• Would ascend into Heaven (Psalm 68:18; Acts 1:9)
• Would sit down at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 1:3)

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