Everyday Encounter with God

Pastor Sylvia's Encounters with God in the Midst of Everyday Life

 

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.