Jesus Christ: A Man Who Fulfilled The Old Testament Messianic Prophecies
The Old Testament is a collection of books which shows how God has dealt with the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. God told his prophets that someday, He (God) himself will come to earth in human form and be with man. He will then teach the people of the earth righteousness and the love our heavenly father has for us. The word "Messiah" means "anointed one" and these prophecies are know as the messianic prophecies. The Old Testament contains several hundred references to the coming Messiah and all these were fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Below are some of the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the New Testament :
Born of a virgin
OT Prophecy: "Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a
virgin will be with child and bear a son...." (Isaiah 7:14)
Fulfillment: "...She was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And
Joseph...kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name
Jesus." (Matthew 1:18,24,25)
Son of God
OT Prophecy: "I will surely tell the decree of the Lord: He said to Me,
'Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee.'" (Psalms 2:7)
Fulfillment: "...And behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, 'This is My
beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.'" (Matthew 3:17)
Born at Bethlehem and has pre-existed
OT Prophecy: "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among
the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings
forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." (Micah 5:2)
Fulfillment: "...Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea...." (Matthew
2:1)
Fulfillment: "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before
Abraham was born, I am !" (John 8:58)
Enters Jerusalem on a
donkey
OT Prophecy: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion ! Shout in triumph, O
daughter of Jerusalem ! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with
salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey...." (Zechariah 9:9)
Fulfillment: "And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their garments on
the colt, and put Jesus on it. And as He was going, they were spreading their garments in
the road. And as He was now approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives...."
(Luke 19:35-37)
Ministry of Miracles
OT Prophecy: "Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the
deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb
will shout for joy." (Isaiah 35:5-6)
Fulfillment: "And Jesus was going about all the cities and the villages,
teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
kind of disease and every kind of sickness." (Matthew 9: 35)
Had his hands and feet
pierced
OT Prophecy: "...They pierced my hands and my feet." (Psalms 22:16)
Fulfillment: "And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they
crucified Him...." (Luke 23:33)
Resurrected from the dead
OT Prophecy: "...you will not abandon me to the grave nor will you let your
Holy One see decay." (Psalms 16:10)
Fulfillment: "The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I
know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just
as he said." (Matthew 28:5-6)
The Messiah will be God in
the flesh
OT Prophecy: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the
government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end." (Isaiah 9: 6-7)
Fulfillment: After Jesus died and was resurrected, he appeared to his disciples
and said to them "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew
28:18-20)