Christian reading

Does Jesus fulfill the prophecies about Messiah? (part 5)

Secondly, the washing of garments in wine and blood (Gen 49:11) foreshadows the institution of the Eucharist (see Mt 26:27-28; Mk 14:23-24; Lk 22:20) and the Calvary sacrifice: «But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken [Ex 12:46]. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced [Zech 12:10]» (Jn 19:33-37).

As to the latter, there is an allusion to two Old Testament prophecies: «neither shall ye break a bone thereof [easter lamb]» (Ex 12:46) and «I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn» (Zech 12:10).

It would be helpful to quote the words of Jesus in connection with the prophecy of Gen 49:10-12: «Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?» (Jn 5:45-47).

(to be continued)