Part 2: Jesus Christ and New Testament Fulfillments of Prophecy

As mentioned in the first post of this series (link), I will highlight the fulfillment of the various Old Testament prophecy categories outlined previously (of which there are five). I will go through them by highlighting scriptures that are the fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy and then provide a brief commentary.

[1] The Virgin Birth:

• “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31–33)

• Commentary
  • This passage from Luke 1 is echoing Old Testament prophecy to Mary so that she would know that what was being spoken to her was true. Just imagine the Holy Spirit-inspired faith of Mary that was needed in order to trust that God would cause her to conceive the Son of God by the Holy Spirit. This verse also mentions that Jesus would reign on the throne of David and over the descendants of Jacob (the tribes of Israel now scattered across the globe). There are Old Testament Prophecies that point to these two things as well.

[2] Born in Bethlehem:

• “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:4-7)

• Commentary
  • This passage from Luke 2 is the recorded fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies from long ago regarding the Virgin Birth and the Birthplace of the Messiah. What is also key is that during this time, there was a census that caused Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem because he belonged to the house and line of David. This circumstance brought about the birth of Jesus Christ occurring in Bethlehem.

[3] His Purpose and Ministry:

• “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8).
• “When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ “Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me'” (Matthew 11:2–6).
• “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:14)

• Commentary
  • These three verses serve as great examples to outline how Jesus is the focal point of God’s plan for redemption and how His ministry, prophesied about long ago, came to pass at the perfect time to bring about salvation. The final passage of scripture from Hebrews alludes to the accomplishment of Christ’s death and resurrection so that we may live the abundant Holy Spirit-filled life.

[4] His Death:

• “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28)

• Commentary
  • It does not get much simpler than that. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross brought about our redemption and salvation from our fallen and sinful nature that leads to death. But His death was enough to atone for our sin. It brought us new life, that death would no longer chain us to the bondage of our sinful nature. But rather, because of his death and resurrection, we have life, eternal life that we can begin experiencing the moment we trust in Him for salvation.

[5] His Resurrection:

• ‘Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’ (John 3:14)
• “In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again”‘” (Luke 24:5–7)

• Commentary
  • The thing about all other religions is that many of the great leaders of the past are now dead. Their current leaders will also die. They cannot and will continue their earthly work forever because like all mortal men and women, they died (or will die) and await judgement at the end of the age.
  • Not so for Christianity. Jesus Christ is alive and His ministry continues to this day through his saints on the earth by the power of the Holy Spirit. No other religion can claim that. No other religion can claim that their main teacher(s) had power over the grave and overcame death. Even so, the redemptive work of Jesus Christ is not about religion. Rather, it is about having a right relationship with the God of the Universe.
  • Many people know John 3:16. If you asked non-believers they would most likely be reference that verse regarding Christianity. However, my favorite part of the 3rd chapter of John’s gospel is the 14th verse. Even before his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ prophesied about himself. Now that is quite unique.
  • Lastly, his resurrection fulfilled and is initially marked by the empty tomb discovered by the women to whom the angel spoke. They then went to tell the disciples about it and the rest is history.

It cannot be denied that Jesus Christ has fulfilled everything the Old Testament has prophesied concerning himself. It is an undeniable fact. Additionally, as briefly alluded to above, there are New Testament prophecies that point to things Jesus has already fulfilled or will fulfill in the future. He is the Messiah, He is our Coming King, and He will return to make all things new.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of the series “The Prophecies Concerning Jesus Christ” as I wrap up with the New Testament Prophecies concerning the Holy Spirit and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.