Anticipating Jesus
Today’s passage: Luke 24:25–27
Focus verse: Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)
After hearing the two men tell Jesus about himself, the Savior responds. He begins with some harsh criticism. He calls them foolish and slow to believe. They should have known the Messiah would suffer as he did and rise to glory.
Though Jesus rebukes these two men, it equally applies to the disciples and the women at the tomb. Without exception, each one of them is slow to believe what the prophets wrote.
Jesus reviews what Moses and the prophets said about him, but Luke doesn’t give any details. I wish he had. There are too many prophecies to consider. Bible scholars list over three hundred Old Testament prophecies about Jesus.
Here are some of the top ones. Jesus will:
- Be born of a virgin, from Isaiah 7:14, which is fulfilled in Matthew 1:22–23.
- Be born in Bethlehem, from Micah 5:2, which is fulfilled in Luke 2:4–6.
- Come from the tribe of Judah, from Genesis 49:10, which is verified in Matthew 1:3–16.
- Come out of Egypt, from Hosea 11:1, which is confirmed in Matthew 2:14–15.
- Be heir of King David and rule on his throne forever, from 2 Samuel 7:12–13 and Isaiah 9:7, which is validated in Luke 1:32–33.
- Minister in Galilee, from Isaiah 9:1–2, which we find in Matthew 4:13–16.
- Proclaim good news, from Isaiah 61:1–2, which is fulfilled in Luke 4:18–19.
- Speak in parables, from Psalm 78:2–4, which is confirmed in Matthew 13:10–15.
- Be a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, from Psalm 110:4, which is verified in Hebrews 5:5–6.
- Have little children praise him, from Psalm 8:2, which happens in Matthew 21:16.
- Come to them riding a colt, from Zechariah 9:9, which we see in Mark 11:7–11.
- Be betrayed, from Psalm 41:9, which occurs in Luke 22:47–48.
- Be sold for thirty pieces of silver, from Zechariah 11:12–13, which is confirmed in Matthew 26:14–16 and Matthew 27:7–10.
- Be rejected by his own people, from Isaiah 53:3, which is verified in John 1:11 and John 7:5.
- Be falsely accused, from Psalm 35:11, which is confirmed in Mark 14:57–59.
- Be silent before his accusers, from Isaiah 53:7, which is fulfilled in Mark 15:4–5.
- Be spat upon and struck, from Isaiah 50:6, which happens in Matthew 26:67.
- Be hated without cause, from Psalm 35:19 and 69:4, which is verified in John 15:24–25.
- Be crucified with criminals, from Isaiah 53:12, which we see in Matthew 27:38 and Mark 15:27–28.
- Be given vinegar to drink, from Psalm 69:21, which is fulfilled in Matthew 27:34 and John 19:28–30.
- Have his hands and feet pierced, from Psalm 22:16 and Zechariah 12:10, which is confirmed in John 20:25–27.
- Be mocked and ridiculed, from Psalm 22:7–8, which is seen in Luke 23:35.
- Have soldiers gamble for his clothes, from Psalm 22:18, which is verified in Luke 23:34 and Matthew 27:35.
- Be forsaken by God, from Psalm 22:1, which is confirmed in Matthew 27:46.
- Pray for his enemies, from Psalm 109:4, which is seen in Luke 23:34.
- Be a sin sacrifice, from Isaiah 53:5–12, which is confirmed in Romans 5:6–8.
- Have soldiers pierce his side, from Zechariah 12:10, which is fulfilled in John 19:34.
- Not have any bones broken, from Exodus 12:46 and Psalm 34:20, which is fulfilled in John 19:33–36.
- Be buried with the rich, from Isaiah 53:9, which we see in Matthew 27:57–60.
- Will rise from the dead, from Psalm 16:10 and Psalm 49:15, which is verified in Matthew 28:2–7 and Acts 2:22–32.
- Will ascend to heaven, from Psalm 68:18, which happens in Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:51.
- Will sit at God’s right hand, from Psalm 110:1, which we read in Mark 16:19 and Matthew 22:44.
In addition to foretelling of Jesus’s virgin birth, Isaiah also writes what Jesus will accomplish (Isaiah 9:7), his rule (Isaiah 40:10), him tending to us as a shepherd cares for his sheep (Isaiah 40:11), and his suffering and sacrifice (Isaiah 53).
Ezekiel writes that Jesus, a descendant of David, will be a shepherd (Ezekiel 34:23).
Daniel writes about Jesus atoning for sin (Daniel 9:24).
Micah says Jesus will descend from Jacob, as God promised (Micah 7:20).
And Malachi prophesies that a messenger (John the baptizer) will precede Jesus, come to his temple, and bring a new covenant (Malachi 3:1).
Another reference reminds us of Moses lifting a bronze snake on a pole. Anyone afflicted with a venomous snake bite could look at the figure and be saved (Numbers 21:9).
Many see this as an allusion to Jesus’s crucifixion on the cross (that is, on a pole) to save all who will look to him. And Moses foresaw God raising up a prophet for the people (Deuteronomy 18:15).
These are just some of the many Old Testament prophecies about Jesus.
Questions:
- Which prophecy is most significant to you?
- What other prophecies would you add to the list?
Prayer: Father God, thank you for Old Testament prophecy that foretells about Jesus and confirms this was your plan all along.
[This devotional is taken from the Day 17 reading in The Victory of Jesus.]
Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and his return to heaven in The Victory of Jesus. The Victory of Jesus is another book in Peter DeHaan’s beloved Holiday Celebration Devotionals Series. Get your copy today.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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