The Old Testament has anywhere from 200-400 prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus. Although scholars differ on the number, the sheer unlikeliness that one person could fulfill all of these prophecies point to the fact that Jesus is indeed the true Messiah. The prophecies about Jesus, which can be found throughout the Old Testament, vary widely from his birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. This article, which will focus on some of the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, will be a great resource to hold onto when you find yourself preaching through books of the Old Testament. Helping your congregation see how Jesus fulfilled prophecies will help to strengthen their faith and encourage their hearts.
THE ROAD TO EMMAUS
The road to Emmaus is perhaps one of the most well-known roads in the Bible. On that road, we know that two disciples were returning from Jerusalem to Emmaus following the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus showed up, incognito, and inquired as to what the disciples were talking about. Cleopas, one of the disciples expressed that all hope was lost because Jesus (the one they were talking to) was crucified. Upon hearing this, Jesus responded by taking the disciples through the Old Testament prophecies concerning himself which is found in Luke 24:27, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke recorded the response of the two disciples in Luke 24:32, “Did not our hearts burn within us while [Jesus] talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” What was it that Jesus said to them regarding himself from the Old Testament that caused their hearts to burn inside? What were some of the prophecies that Jesus could have referenced concerning himself? Jesus could have taken the disciples back to Genesis to explain the first prophecy made concerning himself.
THE FIRST PROPHECY – THE FIRST GOSPEL
The first prophecy about Jesus in the Bible is found in Genesis 3:15. This prophecy was given after the serpent laid out a full assault on God’s character by deceiving Eve concerning God’s commands. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, God showed up in the garden looking for his image-bearers. When he found them, Adam immediately blamed Eve, and Eve immediately blamed the serpent. The LORD God turned immediately to the serpent and without giving him a chance to respond, cast a rightful judgment on him.
He then spoke the words about the struggle that would exist between the serpent and the man, but that the ultimate victory would belong with Eve’s offspring, Jesus. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Jesus fulfilled this when he offered his life on the cross and rose from the dead obtaining the ultimate triumph over the enemy.
PROPHECIES ON THE BIRTH OF JESUS
When Jesus was sharing with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, he could have been sharing prophecies surrounding his birth. Jesus could not have forced these prophecies to happen. These were God-ordained prophecies that spoke to God’s ability to work out the smallest of details from where Jesus was born, to the unique circumstances of his birth, to the actions of his parents when he was born. Here are several Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled with Jesus’ birth:
PROPHECIES ON THE LIFE OF JESUS
Jesus could have also pointed the disciples on the road to Emmaus to these passages that spoke to what Jesus’ life looked like. He could have reminded them of the actions he took, the words he spoke, the actions others took around him, and more. Here are prophecies that Jesus fulfilled concerning his life and ministry.
PROPHECIES ON THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS
The death and resurrection of Jesus are at the foundation of the gospel of Christ. The prophecies that Jesus fulfilled concerning his death and resurrection speak to validate the message he spoke during his years of ministry. These prophecies are one’s that Jesus could have shared with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. He would have reminded them of the horrors he faced in his torture, crucifixion, and death. He would have also reminded them of the glorious hope of his resurrection. Here are some of the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled concerning his death and resurrection.
Jesus Christ fulfilled so many prophecies concerning his birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. These fulfilled prophecies could not have been manufactured in any way. They could have only been fulfilled by the one who is sovereign over all of creation, God incarnate, Jesus Christ. These fulfilled prophecies help to give trust, hope, security, assurance, faith, encouragement, and joy to all who read and understand them. Let these prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus give you hope and life as you trust in him.
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