biserica.org:compendium:articles:christianlife:July-September: 60 Jesus is the Messiah

60 Reasons Jesus is the Messiah

 

Though the Bible presents hundreds of prophecies describing the identity of the Messiah, alerting us how to recognize him, let us examine a mere handful. Some say there are approximately 300 or so prophecies giving details of what the Messiah would be like when he comes, but I believe there are way more than that.

Why is it important to identify who the Messiah is? The answer is simple: many imposters have attempted to present themselves as the Messiah and draw men after themselves.

Who would believe in a phony Messiah anyway? Again, the answer is simple: those who are unaware of the prophecies describing Messiah in detail are prone to following counterfeits.

If we are unsure, skeptical, or in absolute doubt about Jesus being the Messiah, then the best place to begin is with the Prophets. For, if Jesus is not the Messiah, the very Scriptures that speak of the Messiah should identify someone else. Who would that be?

My Address

It has been said that the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah are like a residential address. The identity of any person living anywhere on the earth can be verified by a few personal id's.

[1] Country - If I live in America, currently that excludes 190 other countries (192 if you count Taiwan and the Vatican). This currently narrows the search for "me" down to approximately 288 million people (which is a far cry from 6 billion).

[2] State - Iowa's population of 2,776,755 drastically narrows down the possibilities for "me" being someone else.

[3] City - Out of 948 cities in Iowa, I live in one: Cedar Rapids, and with a population of 120,758 finding "me" in the world is made quite a bit easier.

[4] Street - After tediously counting the streets in my phone book, I estimate (give or take 2 or 3) there are 1840 streets in Cedar Rapids. I live on one, which narrows down the search for "me" even more.

[5] Address - On my street is my building, which is a 12-unit apartment building with a single address number.

[6] Door Number - eliminating the other 11 units focuses on only those residents within my apartment.

[7] Name - yes, there is only one Greg Apel in my apartment - you found me!

With a mere 7 personal id's, I can be located by anyone in the world. There are other idenifications one could use, as in sex, age, etc., but 7 would be plenty to pinpoint my whereabouts no matter where you begin your search.

The Scriptures also offer multiple id's for us to pinpoint the Messiah. 7 would be sufficient. 10 would be more than enough. 100, well, you would have to be an argumentative rebel to refuse - yet there are over 300 positive identifiable marks that show Jesus is the Messiah.

Now, Messiah's Address

Let's consider the Scriptures, and hear what they say:

60 Fulfilled Prophecies of Jesus

Old Testament

New Testament

Messiah would appear to Jerusalem on a donkey and its colt. Zechariah 9:9

Jesus appeared to Jerusalem on a donkey and its colt. Matthew 21:5

Messiah would appear suddenly, and cleanse the temple.
Malachi 3:1-3

Jesus appeared suddenly and cleansed the temple.
Matthew 21:12

Messiah would be betrayed by a friend.
Psalms 41:9

Jesus was betrayed by a friend.
John 13:18-27

Messiah would be sold for 30 pieces of silver.
Zechariah 11:12

Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver by Judas Iscariot.
Matthew 26:14-15

The 30 pieces of silver would be thrown down in the temple.
Zechariah 11:13

Judas Iscariot threw the 30 pieces of silver down in the temple.
Matthew 27:3-5

The 30 pieces of silver would be used to buy a potter's field.
Zechariah 11:13

The Jews wouldn't take the money back from Judas because it was 'blood money'. They instead bought a potter's field to bury strangers and the poor.
Matthew 27:6-10

Messiah would be forsaken by His disciples.
Zechariah 13:7

Jesus was forsaken by his disciples.
Mark 14:27

Messiah would be accused by false witnesses.
Psalms 35:11

Jesus was accused by false witnesses.
Matthew 26:59-61

Messiah would be silent before accusers.
Isaiah 53:7

Jesus was silent before his accusers.
Matthew 27:12-14

Messiah would be wounded and bruised.
Isaiah 53:4-61

Jesus was wounded and bruised.
Peter 2:21-25

Messiah would be beaten and spit upon.
Isaiah 50:6

Jesus was beaten and spit upon.
Matthew 26:67-68

Messiah would be mocked.
Psalms 22:6-8

Jesus was mocked.
Matthew 27:27-31

Messiah would have his hands and feet pierced.
Psalms 22:16

Jesus had his hands and feet pierced.
John 20:24-28

Messiah would be crucified with thieves.
Isaiah 53:12

Jesus was crucified with theives.
Matthew 27:38

Messiah would pray for enemies.
Isaiah 53:12

Jesus prayed for his enemies.
Luke 23:34

Messiah would be rejected by His own people.
Isaiah 53:3

Jesus was rejected by his own people.
John 19:14-15

Messiah would be hated without cause.
Psalms 69:4

Jesus was hated without a cause.
John 15:25

Messiah's friends stood aloof.
Psalms 38:11

Jesus' friends stood aloof.
Luke 22:54; 23:49

People would wag their heads at Messiah's suffering.
Psalms 22:7; 109:25

People wagged their heads at Jesus' suffering.
Matthew 27:39

People would stare at Messiah in his suffering.
Psalms 22:17

People stared at Jesus in his suffering.
Luke 23:35

Messiah's cloths would be divided and gambled for.
Psalms 22:18

Jesus' clothes were divided and gambled for.
John 19:23-24

Messiah would become very thirsty.
Psalms 22:15

Jesus became very thirsty on the cross as he gasped for air.
John 19:28

Gall and vinegar would be offered to Messiah.
Psalms 69:21

Jesus was offered gall and vinegar on the cross. (gall may have been wormwood, opium or myrrh or a mixture of any or all three - an anethetic drug)
Matthew 27:34

Messiah would cry out forsaken of GOD.
Psalm 22:1

Jesus cried out forsaken of GOD that sinners could be reconciled.
Matthew 27:46

Messiah would commit himself to God.
Psalm 31:5

Jesus cried, 'Father, into thine hands I commend my spirit' and died.
Luke 23:46

Messiah would not have one of his bones broken.
Psalms 34:20

Jesus died before the Roman soldiers could break his legs to initiate early asphyxia so those crucified couldn't push up for air.
John 19:32-36

Messiah would have his side pierced.
Zechariah 12:10

Jesus had his side pierced by the Roman soldier's spear.
John 19:34 thru 37

Darkness would overshadow the land.
Amos 8:9

Darkness overshadowed the land.
Luke 23:44-45

Messiah would be buried in rich man's tomb.
Isaiah 53:9

Jesus was buried in the tomb of a prominant Israeli leader, Joseph of Aramathia (rough eqivalent to a U.S. Senator).
Matthew 27:57-60

Messiah would be raised from the dead.
Psalms 16:8-11

Jesus was raised from the dead.
Acts 2:24-31

Messiah would ascend to God.
Psalms 68:18

Jesus ascended into heaven to the throne of GOD.
Ephesians 2:8-10

Messiah would be seated beside God.
Psalms 110:1

Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father's throne in glory.
Hebrews 1:3 thru 13

Messiah would be born of the seed of a woman.
Genesis 3:15

Jesus was born of a virgin, the seed of a woman.
Luke 1:31-33; Galatians 4:4

Messiah would be born of a virgin.
Isaiah 7:14

Jesus was born of a virgin.
Matthew 1:18-25

Messiah would be of the seed of Abraham.
Genesis 22:18

Jesus was of the seed of Abraham.
Matthew 1:1

Messiah would be of the seed of Isaac.
Genesis 21:12

Jesus was of the seed of Isaac.
Luke 3:23 thru 34

Messiah would be of the seed of Jacob.
Numbers 24:17

Jesus was of the seed of Jacob.
Luke 3:34

Messiah would be of the seed of David.
Jeremiah 23:5

Jesus was of the seed of David.
Luke 1:32 & 3:31

Messiah would be of the tribe of Judah.
Genesis 49:10

Jesus was of the tribe of Judah.
Revelation 5:5

The Scepter (Israel's autonomy represented by the king's scepter, with which he weilded authority to execute captial punishment) wouldn't depart from Judah until Shiloh (Messiah) comes.
Genesis 49:10

Israel lost the scepter to the Romans. "Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:" (thus the window of time for Messiah to come had closed forever)
John 18:31

Messiah would be of the family line of Jesse.
Isaiah 11:1

Jesus was of the family line of Jesse.
Luke 3:32

Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Micah 5:2

Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:1-6

An evil king was prophesied to kill the children around the time of Messiah's birth.
Jeremiah 31:15

Herod killed the children around the time of Jesus' birth.
Matthew 2:16-18

Messiah pre-existed creation.
Micah 5:21

Jesus pre-existed creation.
Peter 1:20

Messiah shall be called Lord.
Psalms 110:1

Jesus is called Lord.
Acts 2:36

Messiah shall be called Immanuel (God with us)
Isaiah 7:14

Jesus was called Immanuel.
Matthew 1:22-23

It was written that the Prophet should arise.
Deuteronomy 18:18-19

Jesus is that Prophet.
Acts 3:18-25

Messiah would be the Priest.
Psalms 110:4

Jesus is our Hight Priest.
Hebrews 5:5-6

Messiah would be the Judge.
Isaiah 33:22

The Father has committed all judgement unto Jesus.
John 5:22-23

Messiah would be a King. Psalms 2:6

Jesus is the King of the Jews.
John 18:33-37

Messiah would be anointed by the Spirit.
Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 61:1

Jesus was anointed by the Spirit.
Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 4:21

Messiah would be consumed by the zeal for God.
Psalms 69:9

Jesus was zealous for GOD and drove out the moneychangers in the temple.
John 2:15-17

Messiah would be preceded by a messenger.
Isaiah 40:3

John the Baptist preceeded Jesus as the prophesied messenger.
Matthew 3:1-3

Messiah would begin teaching in Galilee.
Isaiah 9:1-2

Jesus began teaching in Galilee.
Matthew 4:12-17

Messiah would have a ministry of miracles.
Isaiah 35:5-6

Jesus had a ministry of miracles.
Matthew 9:35;11:4

Messiah would be a teacher of parables.
Psalms 78:1-4

Jesus was a teacher of parables.
Matthew 13:34-35

Messiah was to suddenly enter the temple.
Malachi 3:1

Jesus entered the temple suddenly and drove out the moneychangers.
Matthew 21:10-12

Messiah would be a stone of stumbling to Jews.
Isaiah 28:16; Psalms 118:22

Jesus is the stone of stumbling to the Jews.
1 Peter 2:6-8

Messiah would be a light to Gentiles.
Isaiah 49:6

Jesus is the light to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:46-48

Today, the only way skeptics can explain away this astronomical probability is to discredit the prophecies themselves, since it is obvious that they point to Jesus. Many would rather them be unclear and ambiguous, but as we have seen, they are not. Their only alternative is to accept that God is the author of the Scriptures, and that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.

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