As Good Friday is almost upon us, the Easter story isn’t about a bunny, but a lamb. A lamb who was without blemish and sacrificed for us. Jesus, the Messiah, was predicted to come in the Old Testament, or as the Jewish Bible is called, the Tanahk. Was Jesus a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy? Let’s take a look at the prophecies concerning Him.
The Bible predicted that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.
But you, bBethlehem cEphrathah, Though you are little damong the ethousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be fRuler in Israel, gWhose goings forth are from of old, From 1everlasting.”
Micah 5:2
To a virgin.
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: hBehold, the virgin shall conceive and bear ia Son, and shall call His name jImmanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.
12 Then I said to them, “If it is 9agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they lweighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.
Zechariah 11:12
He would die by crucifixtion.
16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. qThey 6pierced My hands and My feet; 17 I can count all My bones. rThey look and stare at Me. 18 sThey divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.
Psalm 22:16-18
It sure does appear that Jesus was the one person who the Jews were waiting on. His birthplace and circumstance was predicted. His betrayal price and method of execution was predicted. Even the detail about His clothing was predicted.
Jesus knew what He came for:
- But first the son of man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation. Luke 17:25
- For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10
- The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10
- Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. John 2:19
- 31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging Luke 18him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. Luke 18:31-34
The Bible even predicted the day and year of Jesus’ death. What other book is that accurate? None!
Read about Daniels prophecy here:
https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-studies/book-of-daniel/prophecy-of-daniels-70-weeks/. This again proves the Bible is reliable and trustworthy.
Jesus fulfilled 191 Old Testament prophecies. This is mathematically impossible by human standards.
But the most important thing about Easter is His resurrection. This is what changed the disciples from scared and in hiding, to go out and boldly preach about Jesus. His resurrected body was seen by more people than the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Historians recorded it in multiple places. The historians were Roman and Jewish. The disciples recorded it. We accept the signing of the Constitution, but yet we argue about the resurrection. Enough!
“A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.”
Teddy Roosevelt
The Bible is the most important document you will read this year! Bible reading is a healthy obsession and reading the Word of God builds your faith. My new goal is to read it through once a year for the rest of my life.
What will you do with Jesus the Messiah? Will you talk to Him today? Will you ask Him to forgive your sins and be Lord of your life? Will you start following Jesus today?
Have a blessed Palm Sunday!
Following Jesus 