No
Accidental Death
I was recently asked why I believe the New
Testament. Here is my 2-part answer…
First, Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophesies
that were recorded before his birth. They were written by men
who didn’t know one another and who lived hundreds of years and
thousands of miles apart.
These are 8 prophecies that specifically
speak about his journey to the cross, the grave, and beyond.
1. Jesus’ Ride
into Jerusalem
Prophecy - “Look, your king is
coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble,
riding on a donkey – even on a donkey’s colt.” (Zechariah
9:9)
Fulfillment – “Jesus found a young
donkey and sat on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: ‘Don’t
be afraid, people of Israel. Look, your King is coming, sitting
on a donkey’s colt.’” (John
12:14-15)
2. Silent before
His Accusers
Prophecy - "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." (Isaiah
53:7)
Fulfillment - "But Jesus still made
no reply, and Pilate was amazed." (Mark
15:5)
3. Divided and Cast Lots for His Clothes
Prophecy - "They divide my garments
among them and cast lots for my clothing." (Psalm
22:18)
Fulfillment - "They
(the soldiers) said
therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots
for it, whose it shall be.’” (John 19:24)
4.
No Bones Were Broken
Prophecy - “They must not leave any
of the lamb until the next morning, and they must not break any
of its bones.” (Numbers
9:12)
Fulfillment - “So the soldiers came
and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. But when
they came to Jesus, they saw that He was dead already, so they
didn’t break His legs.” (John
19:33)
5. His Hands and Feet Were Pierced
Prophecy - “My enemies surround Me
like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on Me. They have
pierced My hands and feet.” (Psalm
22:16)
Fulfillment - “Look at my hands and
my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have
flesh and bones, as you see I have." (Luke
24:39)
6. Died for Our Sins
Prophecy - “But He was wounded and
crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He
was whipped, and we were healed! He bore the sins of many and
interceded for sinners.” (Isaiah
53:5-6)
Fulfillment - “He personally
carried away our sins in His own body on the cross so we can be
dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by
His wounds.” (1
Peter 2:24)
7. Buried in a Rich Man's Tomb
Prophecy - “He had done no wrong,
and He never deceived anyone. But He was buried like a criminal;
He was put in a rich man’s grave.” (Isaiah
53:9)
Fulfillment - “As evening
approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who was one of
Jesus’ followers, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body… He
placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the
rock.” (Matthew
27:57, 60)
8. Rose from the Dead
Prophecy – “For You will not
abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to
undergo decay.” (Psalm
16:10)
Fulfillment - “He is not here; he
has risen, just as he said.” (Matthew
28:6)
And the second part of the answer? My life is a parable that
proves the redemptive power of Jesus’ life and death.