Jesus: The Ultimate Fulfillment of Prophecy

The “Seed of Woman” Prophecy and the Birth of the Christ Genesis 3:15 foretells of the “seed of woman” bruising the head of the serpent –A child born to a virgin would uniquely be the “seed of woman” (Isaiah 7:14) –The angel told Joseph the child conceived in Mary was of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18- 25), thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14

The City of Christ’s Birth Micah foretold the Christ would be born in Bethlehem (5:2) –God’s hand was obviously in that birth, since Joseph and Mary were residents of Nazareth –Caesar Augustus decreed that all the world should be registered –Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem “because he was of the house and lineage of David” and Jesus was born while they were there (Luke 1:26; 2:1-7)

Other Facts Surrounding Christ’s Birth The promised Messiah was to be a descendant of Abraham & Isaac, of the tribe of Judah and the royal line of David (Genesis 12:1-3; 21:12; 22:18; 49:10; Jeremiah 23:5; Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38) The visit by the wise men (Psalm 72:10-15; Matthew 2:1-11) Killing babies (Jeremiah 31:15; Mt. 2:16-18) Time spent in Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:12-15)

The Forerunner of the Christ Malachi said the Lord would send a messenger before him to prepare the way –He was to be like Elijah (3:1; 4:5) Isaiah said he would be the voice of one crying in the wilderness (40:3) Gabriel told Zacharias that Elizabeth would bear a son who would fulfill that prophecy –Jesus told his disciples John was the Elijah who was to come (Luke 1:17; Matthew 17:10-13)

The Ministry of the Christ The blind would see, the deaf hear, the lame walk and the dumb speak (Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 9:27-33; 12:22-23; 15:30; John 5:1- 9; 9:1-7) John’s messengers were to be told these very things (Matthew 11:1-6) He would be compassionate, like a shepherd (Isaiah 40:11) He would teach in parables (Psalm 78:1-2; Matthew 13:34-35)

The Zeal of the Christ The Christ was to have a great zeal for the house of God (Psalm 69:9) His zeal for God’s house is clearly seen in the cleansing of the temple –At the start of his ministry (John 2:13-16) –Following the triumphal entry (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18)

The Rejection of the Christ He was rejected by his brethren (Psalm 69:4-8) –His fleshly half brothers rejected him (John 7:5) –His Jewish brethren also rejected him (John 1:11; 15:22-25) –Rejection by the Jewish rulers was also known in advance (Psalm 118:22-23; Isaiah 53:1; John 7:45- 48; Matthew 21:23-46; John 12:37-43) –They could not see God’s powerful arm in his miracles (Matthew 12:22-30)

Unattractive, Yet Compassionate From a little known corner of the land, without earthly beauty (Isaiah 53:2; John 1:46-47) Isaiah 53:3 –He was held in contempt even by the people he came to save and experienced all forms of sorrow –He dealt with the illnesses and diseases of the people (grief) and mental pain of being rejected by those who needed to turn to him