The writers of the Gospels pointed out many times the life of Jesus fulfilled prophecy, like being born by a virgin, His birthplace would be Bethlehem, He would live in Egypt for a season, and be raised in Nazareth. The odds of just these being true of anyone is beyond reckoning - and these are just a fraction of the prophesies fulfilled by Jesus! In His death He also fulfilled prophesies: He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, rejected, pierced, lifted up, lots would be cast for His clothing, not a bone would be broken in death, and He would rise from the dead on the third day. Again, the miraculous fulfilment of them all was only accomplished in the life of Jesus.
One fulfilled prophecy not often referred to is the accusing taunts hurled at Jesus as He hung on the cross. Matthew 27:39-43 reads, "And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 42 "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.'" To those who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus, this so-called "Saviour" needed saving Himself. It is clear by the term "blasphemy" employed by Matthew he believed Jesus capable of being blasphemed, being God in human flesh. They mocked His claims of being God, the Messiah sent to seek and save the lost.
See the similarities of a prophetic passage written by King David in Psalm 22 which begins with words Jesus spoke from the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" For all Jews well-versed in scripture this allusion would not have been unnoticed. Now see the similarities between what the passers-by said to Jesus in Psalm 22:7-9: "All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 "He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!" Isn't this incredible, that the ones who blasphemed and hated Jesus were ones who fulfilled scripture with their insults? This shows me that even things meant for evil God can redeem for good. God preempted their scornful words with His Word, and the answer of Jesus was not with words but with fulfilment of scripture by suffering and rising from the dead.
The testimony of prophecy fulfilled in the life of Jesus provides very strong and rationally unassailable evidence Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Though scoffers and mockers remain to this day, followers of Jesus take heart their Saviour Jesus is risen and living! The One who endured suffering and shame provides comfort and rest for our souls that endures, and having been raised with Him through faith we press on in light of rational evidence of salvation and eternal life.
One fulfilled prophecy not often referred to is the accusing taunts hurled at Jesus as He hung on the cross. Matthew 27:39-43 reads, "And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 42 "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.'" To those who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus, this so-called "Saviour" needed saving Himself. It is clear by the term "blasphemy" employed by Matthew he believed Jesus capable of being blasphemed, being God in human flesh. They mocked His claims of being God, the Messiah sent to seek and save the lost.
See the similarities of a prophetic passage written by King David in Psalm 22 which begins with words Jesus spoke from the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" For all Jews well-versed in scripture this allusion would not have been unnoticed. Now see the similarities between what the passers-by said to Jesus in Psalm 22:7-9: "All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 "He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!" Isn't this incredible, that the ones who blasphemed and hated Jesus were ones who fulfilled scripture with their insults? This shows me that even things meant for evil God can redeem for good. God preempted their scornful words with His Word, and the answer of Jesus was not with words but with fulfilment of scripture by suffering and rising from the dead.
The testimony of prophecy fulfilled in the life of Jesus provides very strong and rationally unassailable evidence Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Though scoffers and mockers remain to this day, followers of Jesus take heart their Saviour Jesus is risen and living! The One who endured suffering and shame provides comfort and rest for our souls that endures, and having been raised with Him through faith we press on in light of rational evidence of salvation and eternal life.
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