So far in our studies concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, we have seen that he is pictured, and present in the Old Testament. This week we will see that there are many Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ.
• Matthew 5:17,18. What did Jesus say he would do concerning the law and prophets?
The birth, life, death, resurrection and eternal state of Christ are all fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies. For this reason, it is common to see the phrase “that it might be fulfilled” in connection with events in the life of the Lord Jesus. Immediately following the use of this phrase in the New Testament we generally read a quotation of an Old Testament prophecy that has been fulfilled by the life of Christ.
An example. • Matthew 1:18-23. According to verse 22, why did the events in the preceding verses take place?
Prophecies Concerning his Ministry
• Luke 4:16-21. When Jesus began his preaching ministry he stood in the synagogue and read from Isaiah 61:1,2. What did Jesus say in verse 21 concerning the passage in Isaiah?
Q. What 6 things did Isaiah 61:1,2 say that Jesus would do in his ministry?
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Jesus, with a Jewish audience, claimed that this prophecy would be fulfilled by his life and ministry.
Q. Comparing the prophecy in Ps 78:2 with it’s fulfillment in Matt 13:34,35, what did the Old Testament say about the way in which Jesus would teach?
Jesus’ disciples were unaware that this passage spoke of Christ. They asked him in Matt 13:10 Why speakest thou unto them in parables? For the disicples, to walk side by side with Christ was to see the mysteries and vague prophecies of the Old Testament come to life, and be clarified as his life, ministry and very person fulfilled them.
Prophecies of His Birth
• Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a __________; Behold, a _________________ shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name ______________________.
The Jewish people were given this very peculiar prophecy 700 years before the birth of Christ. Immanuel means “God with us”, this was to be a title of Christ and not a proper name (see Isa 9:6). As we saw yesterday, this prophecy was fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-23. Matthew 23 is a direct quotation of Isaiah 7:14.
Not only do we find a prophecy regarding the nature of his birth, but we also see a direct prophecy regarding the place of his birth. When the wise men inquired of Herod Where is he that that is born King of the Jews? The priests and scribes answered by quoting the prophet Micah. (Matt 2:2-6)
• Micah 5:2 But thou, ________________________ Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ________________ in Israel; whose goings forth have been from ______________________ from ____________________________.
It was this prophecy that sent the wisemen on their way to Bethlehem to worship Jesus. Herod was troubled at the prospects of the Jews following another King, so he set out to destroy every child two years and younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding coasts. Q. What does Matthew 2:17 say regarding this cruel decree? Jeremiah 31:15
At this time, Joseph, Mary and Jesus were no longer in Bethlehem, they were warned by an angel to flee into Egypt. Q. What do Matt 2:14, 15 indicate about this move? Hosea 11:1
Think • Discuss. How do you think John 3:16 relates to the verse below? What should have the titles at the end of this verse told the Jews about the Messiah? What did they overlook?
• Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a _________________ is______________, unto us a ________________ is ___________________; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
All throughout the narrative of the life of Christ we see the fulfillment of prophecy. It is no wonder that Jesus in Luke 24 was able to expound unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself!
Jesus – That Prophet
Did you know that the Bible not only contains prophecy regarding the birth of Christ, but also the ministry of his forerunner, John the Baptist?
When the priests and Levites came to John to inquire about his identity, he responded by quoting Isaiah 40:3.
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Isaiah 40:3 – Prophecy |
John 1:23 – John the Baptist |
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The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. |
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. |
In seeking who John was, the Jews asked him in John 1:21 Art thou that prophet? John answered and said no. This seemingly vague reference to that prophet was not so vague to a student of the scriptures! They were right to be awaiting that prophet but were wrong in thinking it was John.
• Deut 18:18. Speaking to Moses, what did God say he would do for Israel?
It was the coming of this prophet, promised all the way back in Deut 18, which the Jews were referring to. They were unaware that Jesus Christ also fulfilled this prophecy. Although the priests and Levites did not make the connection, those who witnessed Christ’s miracles did:
• John 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth ____________________ that should come into the world.
Peter makes all of this very clear in • Acts 3:22, 23.
Q. From which people would God raise up this prophet?
Q. Who would this prophet be like?
Q. What would happen to those who did not listen to this prophet?
Think • Discuss. The Jews were given ample prophecy concerning the coming Messiah. Why do you think the Jews did not accept Christ as the Messiah? Why did they not make the connections between the prophecies and Christ as the fulfillment?
Jesus and His Suffering
There are two Old Testament chapters that seem to explicitly detail the suffering of Christ. Both Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 offer so many details fulfilled by Christ, that it leaves little doubt to the honest reader that they were divinely inspired prophecies regarding Jesus.
Read Isaiah 53, and consider how clearly it is reflected in the New Testament.
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Who has believed our report? |
John 12:37-38, Rom 10:16 |
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Despised and rejected |
Luke 17:25, John 1:10-11, 1 Peter 2:4 |
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V4 |
He has borne our infirmities |
1 Peter 2:24, Matt 8:16-17 |
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V4 |
Considered smitten by God |
Gal 3:13, Matt 27:38-44, Luke 23:35 |
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V5 |
Wounded for our transgressions |
Rom 4:25, 1 Pet 2:24 |
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V5 |
We are healed by his stripes |
1 Peter 2:24 |
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V5 |
Jesus was scourged |
Mark 15:15, Luke 22:63-65, John 19:1 |
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V7 |
Silent before His accusers |
Matt 26:62-63, 27:12-14, Mark 14:60-61, 15:3-15, John 19:9, Acts 8:32-35 |
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V8 |
Christ died for our sins |
1 Cor 15:3 |
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V9 |
Died with the wicked |
Mat 27:38, Mar 15:27,28, Luke 23:32-33 |
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V9 |
Buried with the rich |
Matt 27:57-60, Mark 15:43-46, Luke 23:50-53, John 19:38-42 |
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V9 |
Lived a sinless life |
1 Peter 2:22, Heb 4:15 |
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V10 |
Jesus was an offering for sin |
1 Cor 15:3, Hebrews 10:12-14 |
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He would justify many |
Acts 13:38-39, Rom 5:17-19 |
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He will be great |
Matt 28:18, Luke 24:27 |
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Numbered with transgressors |
Matt 27:38, Mark 15:27-28 |
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Made intercession for sinners |
Luke 23:34, 39-43, Rom 8:34 |
Now read Psalm 22. What similarities to the New Testament do you see in the following verses?
Q. Verse 8:
Q. Verse 16:
Q. Verse 18:
Tomorrow we will look up a few more verses to conclude this study.
Review
When John protested at the idea of baptizing Jesus, why did Jesus say it must be done? (Mat 3:15)
When the band of soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter cut off one of their ears. For what reason does Jesus tell Peter to put away his sword (Matt 26:54)?
Write from memory what you think these Old Testament verses are referring to. For a real challenge, use your concordance to try to find their New Testament counterparts!
1. Zech 9:9
2. Psalm 41:9
3. Zech 11:12,13
4. Zech 12:10
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