While there is ample historical evidence that there was a man named Jesus of Nazareth who lived in the first century, some question if we can believe His claims to be the Christ, the Son of God.
The best record of His life, the Bible, gives more than enough evidence: fulfilled prophecies, the record of His miracles, and the testimony of His followers. The fulfilled prophecies of the Old Testament, accomplished in the life and ministry of Jesus, are a major reason to believe His claims.
The prophet Micah predicted, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). Although Mary and Joseph were residents of Nazareth, through God’s providence they went to Bethlehem before Jesus was born.
Jesus’ birth to the virgin Mary also fulfilled Isaiah’s words: “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).
Jesus fulfilled many prophecies in His death. Psalm 22:16-18 predicts of the Messiah, “The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”
John 19:23-24 describes the parting of His garments and the casting of lots at the crucifixion, “that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” Even the price of His betrayal, thirty pieces of silver, was prophesied over five hundred years before. “I said to them, ‘If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.’ So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver” (Zechariah 11:12).
The signs and miracles that Jesus performed show that He is the Son of God. Jesus showed power over nature by turning water to wine and calming the sea. He showed power over sickness by healing lepers, giving sight to the blind, and making the lame walk. He showed power over death by raising Lazarus and others. His own resurrection from the dead proved conclusively His authority over death.
Peter told Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). When threatened by the opponents of Christ, Peter and John replied, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).
The apostles at first had trouble believing Christ’s resurrection, but after seeing Jesus alive were willing to risk their lives for their faith. Peter said, “We did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).
-Bob Prichard
0 Comments