Christian reading

Does Jesus fulfill the prophecies about Messiah? (part 12)

Jewish leaders will reject the Messiah: «Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet» (Mt 21:42-46; compare Mk 12:10-12). The underlying prophecy: «The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes» (Ps 118:22-23).

Unbelief in Messiah in spite of all the miracles: «But though he [Jesus] had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias [Isaiah] said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias [Isaiah], when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God» (Jn 12:37-43). The underlying prophecies: «[LORD!] Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?» (Is 53:1) and «And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed» (Is 6:9-10; compare Mt 13:14-15; Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10).

Ungrounded hostility toward the Messiah: «If I had not done among them the [good] works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause» (Jn 15:24-25). The underlying prophecy: «They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away» (Ps 68:4; compare Ps 35:19; Ps 119:161).

(to be continued)