The Birth of Jesus: Fulfilling Prophecy

Jesus Christ is unquestionably the most influential person in human history. History has become His story. The most widely used Gregorian calendar is divided into two major segments: before Christ (B.C.) and after His death (A.D.). Jesus is the Lord of history because His birth was foretold in the Scriptures.

 

The first prophecy was in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve’s sin and humanity’s fall. Adam and Eve fell to the deception of Satan. This is what God said to Satan: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

 

The people of Israel learned quickly that they could not see God face to face and live. They asked at Mt. Sinai that Moses would stand before God on their behalf. Moses told them this through the inspiration of the Spirit of God. “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15) The people of Israel, therefore, looked forward to a Messiah-Mediator between them and the Most Holy God, Yahweh.

 

God later promised to raise up the Messiah-King to sit on the throne of David. There will be no end to His kingdom. “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; and your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16)

 

The prophet Isaiah also prophesied about the coming Messiah-King.

 

For unto 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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign over David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. (Isaiah 9:6, 7) 

Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

 

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will rule over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

 

Hosea prophesied that the Messiah-Son of God would be called out of Egypt. “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14, 15) This was fulfilled when Jesus and His parents returned to Israel from Egypt, where they had fled, to escape Herod’s plan to kill the Messiah.

 

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would suffer and die for the sins of humanity. (Isaiah 53)

Haggai prophesied that He would be the desired One of all nations. He would not only be the Savior for Israel but all nations.

 

“’I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (Haggai 2:7)

 

All the prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus as Messiah, Mediator, King, Son of God, and a Suffering Servant.

 

John aptly gave this great introduction of Jesus Christ:

 

“Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

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