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1. The Messiah would be preceded by a messenger
Old Testament (Isaiah 40:3) says: A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God." New Testament (Matthew 3:1-2) says: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 2. The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Old Testament (Micah 5:2) says: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." New Testament (Matthew 2:1) says: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod... 3. The Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah Old Testament (Genesis 49:10) says: This passage talks about a ruler coming from the Tribe of Judah, one whose rule will be all-powerful: "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his." New Testament (Luke 3:23-34 and Matthew 1:1-16): Here you'll find a list of Jesus' ancestors, going back to Judah, who was one of the 12 sons of Jacob. (Jacob's 12 sons were the fathers of the 12 Tribes of Israel). 4. The Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a colt Old Testament (Zechariah 9:9) says: Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. New Testament (Luke 19:35-37) says: They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen 5. The Messiah would be betrayed by a friend Old Testament (Psalms 41:9) says: Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. New Testament (Matthew 26:47-50) says: While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 6. The Messiah would be sold for 30 pieces of silver Old Testament (Zechariah 11:12) says: I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. New Testament (Matthew 26:14-15) says: Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 7. The Messiah would be spit upon and beaten Old Testament (Isaiah 50:6) says: I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. New Testament (Matthew 26:67-68) says: Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?" 8. The Messiah would be wounded by His enemies Old Testament (Isaiah 53:5) says: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. New Testament (Matthew 27:26) says: Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. 9. The Messiah would be silent before His accusers Old Testament (Isaiah 53:7) says: He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. New Testament (Matthew 27:12-14) says: When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge--to the great amazement of the governor. 10. The betrayal money thrown in the temple and given for a potters field Old Testament (Zechariah 11:13) says: And the Lord said to me, "Throw it to the potter"--the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord to the potter. New Testament (Matthew 27:5-7) says: So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. 11. The Messiah would have his hands and feet pierced Old Testament (Psalm 22:16) says: Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. New Testament (Luke 23:33) says: When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. 12. The Messiah would be crucified with thieves Old Testament (Isaiah 53:12) says: Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. New Testament (Matthew 27:38) says: Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Now what do you suppose the odds are for these twelve prophecies being fulfilled in one man's life? What are the odds of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, a little town in the midst of hundreds of towns and cities in Israel? The prophecy of Jesus having his hands and feet pierced was written hundreds of years before the Roman Empire invented crucifixion as a form of execution. Who would believe a King would ride into a great city on the back of an donkey? Who else would be silent and not speak a word in his own defense, after being beaten, spit upon, and having the hairs of his beard plucked from his cheeks? These are just a few of the propecies Jesus fulfilled! |