Prophecies Fulfilled In Jesus

Introduction

Magnify, glorify Jesus, King of all kings. What a wonderful song. The very purpose for which we have gathered this morning is to indeed glorify his name. Of all the men who ever lived, not one made the stupendous claims that Jesus Christ made. He did not claim to be a great moral leader andor teacher, though he was.

And consequently, they charged him with blasphemy and sought his crucifixion as a reason. But indeed, the controversy among the people was over who could this man be? In Matthew chapter 16, about a year before his death, Jesus asked his disciples, Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? And they answered, Well, some say you are John the Baptist, come back from the dead. Others say you are Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But then Jesus asked the disciples directly, Who do you say that I am? And to that Peter gave the significant answer, you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. To which Jesus said, You’ve answered correctly, and you did not get it from other men, but from my Heavenly Father.

And upon this rock, that is upon the basis that he is the Christ, the Son of God, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. There were questions then. I don’t have to tell you there’s still some questions today. Who is this man, Jesus? Who came and lived among us like other men, tempted at all points, like as we are, yet without sin? Do you believe he is the Son of God? Surely you know that there are some in our society who would deny that. Atheists would say, well, he was just a great moral teacher, but not God with us. Our friends who are of the faith of Islam would say, well, yeah, he was a prophet of God, but not the Son of God.

Even Jehovah’s Witnesses today would say, well, he was created as an angel, who became a God. There are differences today of answers. And it may be even your very next door neighbors or somebody you work with, who would make one of these claims I’ve just said. We’re living in a world today where many Muslims, for example, are throughout our nation. You may work with one. Or certainly there are many agnostics or atheists who would who deny that he’s the Son of God. So I ask you, what do you believe about Jesus? And I think I probably know the answer from you because you probably have come here because you do believe he is the Son of God. You made that confession, those of you who have become Christians, that you believe that.

But pointedly I ask you, how would you answer your next door neighbor? Or that person you work with, who denies him as the Son of God? What would you say to prove it? Why do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Just because your parents believed it, or because it was something that was easy among your friends to say, I believe. What proofs would you go about sharing? In recent weeks, in fact, the last two Sunday mornings at the 9 o’clock hour, I’ve been speaking from, based on the Gospel of John, some lessons that first of all the claims that Jesus made, and then among the God and from the Gospel of John, some of the proofs that were given. In fact, as you come to close of the Gospel of John in chapter 20, verses 30 and 31, the scripture says many other signs or miracles truly to Jesus in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book, but these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing may have life through his name.

And so many times with my friends, I start with the miracles that he worked. We’re studying from the Gospel of John in our Bible class at 10 o’clock on Sunday morning and certainly at seven on Wednesday evening in the auditorium class. And if you’ve not been a participant in that, I urge you to start getting into it. We’re in chapter six today of the Gospel of John. For John presents that the deity of Jesus Christ.

So John has something to prove from this very outset of the book. Indeed, Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell of the life of Christ, but they present even as the physical world as well as his deity. The Gospel of John doesn’t tell us about his birth physically, but it starts with who he is, that he is God. That the word became flesh and dwelt among us is also declared in chapter 1 and verse 14. But John, by inspiration, sets out to prove that Jesus really is the Word of God, and you can know that by the miracles or the works that he did. Seven different types of miracles are recorded in John. But there are other ways to prove who he is. Testimonies from those who saw him and walked with him and were willing even to die for the faith.

Because they testified they knew him to be the Son of God. The things that he taught, the miracles that he worked, but also the prophecies that he fulfilled. This morning I want us to look at it from that perspective. Why would you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? And I’ll suggest to you that one of the strongest proofs is the very fact that miracles are the prophecies that he fulfilled. Prophecies that were spoken hundreds of years before, that indeed were fulfilled in the Christ.

You know that sometimes I have people say, oh, you know, Nostradamus, he made several claims too in prophecy. Well, some of his did not come to pass. Yeah, he guessed some of the things. In fact, I could ask you, can you prophesy to me who’s going to be the next president of the United States? And I’ll give you a 50-50 chance, right? Well, you’re pretty good. But you know we do not really know and guarantee that we know who’s going to be the elected president in November. Prophecies are those signs that were given by inspiration of God, fulfilled hundreds of years later. In fact, two basic proofs are given by them. When people say, Well, I’m just not sure I can believe the Bible, I say, Do you know anything about prophecies in them?

It’s one of the strongest proofs that the Bible did not come by the will of man, but men spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1 and verse 20 and 21. That indeed the Bible had to be from the mind of God, for men could not have even guessed many of the prophecies that are found. Fulfilled in the scriptures. In fact, I say to the atheists, tell me one, find one prophecy that’s given that has not been fulfilled in the Christ. But they say there’s something like over 300 prophecies about Jesus. This morning I’d like to share with you really basically about 15. One would be sufficient. If they could say, well, just look at these, and this is enough for you to believe.

Shortly after his resurrection to his disciples, recorded in Luke 24 and verse 44, Jesus said, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you. That all things must be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms concerning me. Three different sources, Jesus said. All things must be fulfilled. From Moses, Moses lived 1,500 years before Christ. From the Psalms, the Psalms written by David were about a thousand years before Christ. From the prophets, the prophets that were recording are about 700 years before Christ. It wasn’t just mere guesswork, but these men had to be directed from God if you can say, Well, yes, in time they were fulfilled. And prophecies in acting Jesus Christ did come to pass.

1. The Writings of Moses

As indeed the scriptures show and were fulfilled in him. First of all, let’s look at the writings of Moses. In fact, in John chapter 5, in verse 54 through 47, Jesus made this statement. He said, Do not think, do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father. There’s one who accuses you, Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words? Jesus very much claimed who wrote the book of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Jesus gave Moses the credit for it. And he said, in fact, if you if you believe Moses, then you will believe me. And so it was in John chapter 5, his basis of who he is, even on what Moses wrote.

Now, when you look at the Old Testament, I’m sure most of you Bible students would agree that the very first reference in God’s eternal plan for redemption for mankind is found first of all in Genesis chapter 3. For after Adam and Eve had sinned by eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, the curse that God placed upon the serpent was that there would come the time that your seed, that the seed of woman would bruise the head of the serpent. The serpent would bruise the heel of the seed of woman. Now, right off, if you’re just reading through for the very first time the book of Genesis, it doesn’t come clear what that’s talking about. But we understand from the scriptures that what he was talking about was the bruise to the head of the serpent.

It was a death bow. It was a bowl that would put to death the very object of the devil. Indeed, the scripture in John chapter 12 and in verse 31. Scripture speaks unto us that the prince of this world was cast out. Or in chapter 16 and verse 11, that the ruler of the world is judged, that is condemned. Probably even more clearly in Hebrews chapter 2, 14 and 15. The scripture said that even as indeed men were flesh and blood, that is, Christ likewise partook of the same that through death, listen, he might destroy him that had the power of death. And deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ, release men from the bondage of sin.

Satan no longer holds over them that bondage. You can be delivered from Satan’s grip of the bondage of sin, which is indeed brings about spiritual death. Indeed, Christ fulfills the promise that is made even forecast in Genesis 3 and verse 15. But in Genesis chapter 12, we begin to read there some promises that were made to Abraham. Now, really, you talk about dates. Abraham lived about 2,000 years before Christ. And yet God made a promise to Abraham. Verse 1 of Genesis chapter 12, I’m going to make of you a great nation. We understand that fulfilled in the Israelites, the family from the lineage of Abraham. He said in the second verse, I give you a land to live in. And we understand in history how that the Jews from Egyptian bondage traveled to what we now know as Palestine.

And the developed or lived in the land that God gave them. But the most significant promise for us today was in verse 3, where he promised to Abraham, Through your seed, I will bless all families of the earth. Now, the Bible clearly traces from Abraham his lineage to Jesus Christ. In fact, in Matthew chapter 1, sometimes people read and they read, Someone who begat, who begat, who begat, and I find people said, Well, I can’t memorize all those names. Why did God put all those names in there? To show clearly, as the Jews kept the records that this Jesus, who is the Son of God, fulfills the prophecy in a physical way. He is of the lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And then through Judah the seed, and through David the seed, until finally you would say, Jesus is the seed of Abraham.

But what did he do? He brought about the means of salvation to everyone today. It was Jesus, indeed, who in the great commission of Mark 16 said, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. He who does not believe shall be condemned. The great verse of John 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Through Abraham’s seed. We have that promise of life everlasting. All nations indeed have the privilege of that salvation. In Deuteronomy chapter 18, verses 15 through 18, even Moses spoke how that there would be a prophet who would be coming from the Lord like unto Moses.

And that has been quoted, in fact, in Acts chapter 3, particularly, Peter quotes it in Acts 3, quotes the verses from Deuteronomy 18. How that Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise. He is of God. John 7 and verse 16, in fact, Jesus made the statement when he said, My doctrine is not mine, but it is his who has sent me. As a prophet, he’s the spokesman of God. And he said, That’s exactly what I’ve come to do. In chapter 12 and verse 48, though he says, He that receiveth not me or my words, has one that judges him in the last day. The word that I’ve spoken, the same shall judge him. Jesus Christ, the prophet of God, as Moses had predicted. Indeed, there could be others given, but this is sufficient.

2. Has He Fulfilled What the Prophets Said?

That did he fulfill the words of Moses? Did he come like Moses? The law of Moses, what Moses said, are they fulfilled in the Christ? And absolutely the amen should be shouted. But what about the prophets? Has he fulfilled what the prophets said? There are many quotations from the prophets that we ought to look at. For example, in Micah chapter 5 and verse 2, spoken about 700 years before his birth, that he would be born in Bethlehem of Ephrata. How could Micah Haven guess where he would be born? When you come to the New Testament, you recognize that Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth. And that’s about 60 miles at least north of Bethlehem. In fact, uh, we may say 50 miles or 60 miles, that’s not much, but you know, driving in an air-conditioned automobile on a on an interstate road or a pay road, that’s not hard.

But what if you’re on a dirt road and all you’ve got to travel in is maybe a cart pulled by a donkey or on the back of a donkey? Now that’s even more significant. So Mary, let’s say, at the time of the giving of birth, nine months later, after she was told by the angel that she would conceive the son of the highest, and they need to go to Bethlehem. The fact is, from Luke chapter 2, we we really understand that the only reason they they were in Bethlehem is because the Roman Caesar had sent out an edict that all the Jews needed to go back to their heritage, that there was a time of census taking or a taxation time. And because Joseph and Mary were the lineage of David, the lineage of Abraham through David through Judah, Bethlehem is the city they had to go to.

Frankly, even though the Caesar had sent out this law, the Jews resented the Romans telling them what they had to do. And so King Herod even had stalled. He didn’t immediately fulfill from Caesar the request that they all go back to their homelands. So with the Roman Caesar, who certainly did not know the scripture, to Herod who was not trying to find the scripture, but finally fulfilled when Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem, and on that occasion Jesus was born fulfilling the prophecy of over 700 years earlier. How could that be? It was simply guesswork, it had to be by God’s knowledge. But then in Isaiah chapter 40 and in verse 3, the scripture speaks of how that there would be one who would be a forerunner of Jesus Christ.

I’m reading John chapter 1, where in verse 15, the scripture says of John, this was he of whom I said, He who comes after me is preferred before me, for he was before me. John the Baptist is speaking. John’s not the Messiah, but he was saying, I’ve come to prepare the way for the Messiah. In verses 22 and 23, they said to him, Well, who are you? John, who are you? That we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? John replied, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said. Just as the prophet said, John said, That’s what I’m fulfilling. You mean 700 years earlier, Isaiah could tell you what John the Baptist would be doing.

That’s exactly what occurred. But then in Isaiah chapter 11, verses 1 and 2, the scripture had forecasts that the Spirit of the Lord would be upon the Messiah, the Christ. And in John chapter 1 and verses 32 and 33, at the baptism of Jesus, if you know the story, John the Baptist indeed baptized, and as he did, the voice from heaven, this is my beloved son, in whom I’m well pleased. And he saw the spirit descending like a dove and lighting upon him. In response to that, John the Baptist indeed set bore witness, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he remained upon him, fulfilling the prophecy. In Isaiah 53, he would be rejected of men. Isaiah is that passage that we often refer to that describes the suffering Savior.

Seven hundred years before it occurred. And I say to this day, even a Jew who is trying to say, Well, we just followed the Old Testament scripture cannot fully explain how the purpose and fulfillment of Isaiah 53 comes to bear. For it talks about a suffering Savior. Not a king that’s reigning on an earthly throne. But rather in Isaiah 53, the scripture said, Who has believed our report? It’s so unusual. Who could say this? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, as a root out of a dry ground. He has no form or comeliness. When we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He’s despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.

We hid, as it were, our faces from him. He was despised, and we did not esteem him. Who would have thought that this Jesus indeed would be such the Son of God would be rejected? This one who’s the king of kings would be betrayed by man, finally crucified by man, even though he did many wondrous works among us. John chapter 12, verses 37 and 38. The scripture says, although he had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke.

Here’s a statement showing, yes, they fact they did not believe in him, but even that fulfilled the scripture from Isaiah. He would be rejected of men. Isaiah 53, 7 and 8. Later in that same text, where the scripture said he was oppressed. He was afflicted. Yet he opened not his mouth. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shears is silent. So he opened not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment. And who would declare his generation? For he was cut off from the land of the living, for the transgression of my people, he was stricken. Judgment was removed from him. Justice. Did he have a trial? Well, we know the story. He was brought before Pilate because the Jews didn’t have the authority to put one to death, so they wanted the approval of Pilate, the Roman authority.

3. He Also Fulfilled the Psalms

And really, as a good judge, Pilate, in questioning Jesus, three different times said, I find no fault in him. Three times. I should let him go. I find no fault in him. Only because they pressured Pilate, how they’re going to report to Caesar that this man said he’s a king, and you know that’s usurping what Caesar claimed to be. And so Pilate felt some pressure and he yielded, allowed him to be crucified. But judgment was taken from him. Indeed, Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies. But he also fulfilled the Psalms. There are many psalms that speak about his death, burial, and resurrection. Now remember, these are probably something like a thousand years before Christ. What’s prophesied? In Isaiah chapter 41 and in verse 9. The scripture indeed spoke of Jesus as being betrayed.

In Isaiah 40, the scripture says of him, even my familiar, my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Can you imagine that in that Jesus would say, I’ve got a friend. Did Jesus know Judas would betray him? How did Jesus know? Well, frankly, we understand Jesus really is the Son of God. And in John chapter 13, at the time he ate with the disciples that Passover meal, the last meal, and it was at that time where he indeed spoke how that there would be one who was to betray him, who would eat bread. I’m going to read John 13, beginning in verse 26, where Jesus said, It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.

Having dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now, after the piece of bread Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, What do you what you do? Do quickly. But no one at the table knew for what reason he said this to him. Some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, Buy those things we need for the peace, or that we should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately, and it was night. Judas had already covenanted for 30 pieces of silver. In fact, even that was prophesied in Zechariah chapter 11 and verse 12. The amount of the betrayal that Judas coveted a thousand years earlier, the very way that he would be presented, I’ll give him the bread, and that’ll be the one I’ll signal.

That’s the one who is going to betray me. My friend, in whom I trust. Judas had walked with the other apostles for some three years. Indeed, a trusted friend, you might say, a powerful prophecy. In Psalm 22, and there are several in Psalm 22, that describes the crucifixion of Christ itself. The fact that he would be crucified in John chapter 19 and verses 16 through 18. Listen to the words. He delivered him, that is Pilate delivered him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away. He bearing his cross went out to a place called the place of a school, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha, where they crucified him and two others with him, one on either side, Jesus in the center.

Crucified? Now stop and think about that for a moment. If this was written a thousand years before, and it was written in the Psalms from a Jewish point of view, why would a Jew, if it’s written from man’s point of view, ever describe crucifixion? The Jews stoned those who were guilty of blasphemy. Why didn’t he write, well, yes, this one will later be stoned? Crucifixion was a Roman form of death. And you might say, even if a thousand years after the Psalm 22 had been written. Unlikely, in fact, impossible, that man could have even guessed that. In verse 18 of Psalm 22. They would part his garments. How would they know that the time would come that even his own tunic or coat that they would indeed have to cast lots for it?

But in John 19 and verses 23 and 24, the scripture says, soldiers, when they’d crucified Jesus, took his garments, made full parts to each soldier apart, also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one place. They said therefore among themselves, let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be, that the scripture might be fulfilled, which says. Now, that last phrase that the scripture might be fulfilled, which says, was not spoken by the soldiers. They were Gentiles. They had no idea what the scripture said. They weren’t trying to fulfill what the Psalms had written. They simply didn’t want to tear the coat into pieces. But from John’s perspective, he could say, This fulfilled the scriptures. And then he’s quoted in verse 24.

They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22, 18. How could it be? If it were not from the mind of God and written a thousand years earlier before Christ. In Psalm 69 and in verse 21, the scripture was given that he would be given gall and vinegar to drink. Indeed, they verse 21 says, They also gave me gall for my food and for my thirst. They gave me vinegar to drink. Again, hanging on the cross, if you’ve studied about crucifixion at all. There the joints become out of place, and the mouth dries up as the body begins to, of course, face death. And so Jesus said, I thirst. What did they give him? In John chapter 19, in verses 28 and 30, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, I thirst.

Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there. They filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on his and put it to his mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, It is finished. And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit. They gave him sour wine, vinegar to drink. How could that have been guessed? In Psalm 34 and in verse 20, the scripture said, He guards all his bones, not one of them is broken. Now think about that for a moment. You’ve read no doubt the scripture of his crucifixion. Not one bone was broken. Why not? Scripture in verse 31 of John 19 says, Therefore, because it was the preparation day that their bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, for that Sabbath was a high day.

The Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other, who was crucified with him. Now, notice first of all, it’s the Jews who are asking Pilate. Let’s hasten their death. This is the Sabbath during the Passover, and it was a high day, as the scripture says.

And so, in order to hasten that, and you know, they weren’t concerned about the soldiers on either side, they were concerned about getting Jesus dead. So let’s break the legs. And Pilate gave permission. Why didn’t they break the legs of Jesus? Verse 33, when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead. They did not break his legs. How close for the scripture to be broken? In John chapter 10, verses 34 and 5, Jesus made the statement, the scripture cannot be broken. In other words, they will be fulfilled. Don’t find one. You can’t find one that didn’t come to pass as recorded. And so here, so close to breaking the scripture. But instead, verse 34, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear.

And immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen and has testified, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he’s telling the truth so that you may believe. John is writing that as a witness of it all. Verse 36. For these things were done that the scripture should be fulfilled. Not one of his bones shall be broken. And again, verse 37, another scripture says, they shall look on him whom they pierced. Not only that his bones would not be broken, but they would pierce his side. Recorded not only is that recorded in the Psalm, but also in Zechariah 12 and verse 10. Two different places that he would be pierced. How could that be? When the Jews really wanted his bones to be broken, his legs to be broken.

4. Not Only Did He Die, but He Was Raised

But then most important of all to us. Not only did he die, but he was raised. Had he not been raised, 1 Corinthians 15 says, We would be yet in our sins and we would be without hope. But he was raised. In fact, on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, Peter quoted this Psalm, Psalm 16 and verse 10. That is his flesh would not see corruption, nor spirit would remain in Hades.

But that’s as though to say Jesus’ body would not see corruption. He would not remain in the grave. But he was raised the third day. And witnesses both then, many witnesses. 1 Corinthians 5, 15 and about verse 5, said above 500 brethren at once saw him alive. And many infallible proofs he walked with his disciples, his apostles, and they willingly died for the testimony. If it were a lie, surely one of them would have folded under the pressures of that day. But not one did. Because Jesus indeed was what he claimed to be, the Son of God. Crucified, yes. Born in the right place, lived among us as without sin, and for our sin he gave his life. And then was raised from the grave. Indeed, it is claimed that over 300 prophecies relate to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Conclusion

We’ve looked quickly at about 15. I say only one would be sufficient. But there’s several prophecies from Moses, from the prophets, and from the Psalms that are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. But the most important question really is, what do you believe about Jesus Christ? Who do men say that I am? Jesus asks. Who do you say that he is? If you have that neighbor who’s a Muslim or an atheist, how would you go about proving your faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? What if you do not believe? What if you do not accept that? Jesus said in John 8 24, he that believes not in me has that he shall die in his sins. That’s the consequence. If Jesus is the Son of God and you do not believe, you shall die in your sins without hope.

But only eternal condemnation. On the other hand, you say you believe Jesus is the Christ. Have you obeyed him? There are those who freely say, Oh, I believe in Jesus Christ, but I’m not ready to become a Christian. I’ll say to you, don’t deceive yourself. You don’t really believe. If we really believe that Jesus is what he claimed to believe, then there would be the kind of a faith that says, I’m ready. If Christ died for me, I’m certainly willing to live for him. So the real test is upon you. What do you believe about Jesus? What kind of life are you living for him? You believe you’ve been baptized, and you’re really faithfully serving him, living the kind of life a Christian ought to live?

If not, change your life. Don’t die in your sins. What will you do with Jesus? Our song we’re about to sing. An invitation, if there be one in this audience who’s not ready to, or who is ready to serve the Lord, not ready to die in your sin, why not this morning? As one who believes, will obey what Christ taught. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. He who believes not shall be condemned. You’re ready to obey him. We’re ready to help you. Won’t you come go with us to heaven? As we sing this song, give thought to obeying him while we stand, while we sing.