Christian reading

Does Jesus fulfill the prophecies about Messiah? (part 6)

As we have already mentioned, some of the characteristics of the Messiah, which were fulfilled in Jesus, include: coming from the tribe of Judah through the line of David (Gen 49:10; 1 Kings 2:4; Lk 2:3-5; Jn 7:42; Rom 1:3), virgin birth (Gen 3:15; Is 7:14; Mt 1:18-23).

Following the advice of Jesus: «Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me» (Jn 5:39), let us mention other Old Testament prophecies referenced in the Gospels.

Jesus born in Bethlehem: «And when he [Herod] had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet [Micah], And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel» (Mt 2:4-6; compare Jn 7:42). The underlying prophecy: «But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting» (Mic 5:2).

Jesus' parent take him to Egypt: «When he [Joseph] arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son» (Mt 2:14-15). The underlying prophecy: «In a morning [sanset] shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt» (Hos 10:15-11:1; compare Num 23:22; Num 24:8; Ps 80:8).

Massacre of innocents by Herod: «Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time [of the birth of Jesus] which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not» (Mt 2:16-18). The underlying prophecy: «Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not» (Jer 31:15; compare Gen 35:19).

(to be continued)