What the Old Testament says What the Old Testament says about Christabout Christ

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes”

(2 Co. 1:20)

Nietzsche

“When we hear the ancient bells growling on a Sunday morning we ask ourselves: Is it really possible! This, for a Jew, crucified two thousand years ago, who said he was God's son? The proof of such a claim is lacking. Certainly, the Christian religion is an antiquity projected into our times from remote prehistory; and the fact that the claim is believed - whereas one is otherwise so strict in examining pretensions - is perhaps the most ancient piece of this heritage. A god who begets children with a mortal woman; a sage who bids men work no more, have no more courts, but look for the signs of the impending end of the world;

Nietzsche

“a justice that accepts the innocent as a vicarious sacrifice; someone who orders his disciples to drink his blood; prayers for miraculous interventions; sins perpetrated against a god, atoned for by a god; fear of a beyond to which death is the portal; the form of the cross as a symbol in a time that no longer knows the function and ignominy of the cross -- how ghoulishly all this touches us, as if from the tomb of a primeval past! Can one believe that such things are still believed?”—Human, all too Human, s.405, R.J. Hollingdale transl.

“Yet no human effort, no princely largess nor offerings to the gods, could make that infamous rumor disappear that Nero had somehow ordered the fire. Therefore, in order to abolish that rumor, Nero falsely accused and executed with the most exquisite punishments those people called Christians, who were infamous for their abominations. The originator of the name, Christ, was executed as a criminal by the procurator Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius; and though repressed, this destructive superstition erupted again, not only through Judea, which was the origin of this evil, but also through the city of Rome, to which all that is horrible and shameful floods together and is celebrated.”—Tacitus, Annals

“The proof of such a claim is lacking.”-Nietzsche

• Jn. 5

A question of authority, vv. 25-30

Witnesses, vv. 31-39: John, v. 33

Works, v. 36

Father, v. 37

Scripture, v. 39

Mt. 5:17 Lk. 4:20-21; 24:27…44 Acts 3:18; 10:43; 13:29 17:2-3 Rm. 1:2 etc.

Role of prediction in prophecy

“I declared the former things long ago and they went forth from my mouth, and I declared them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. Therefore, I declared them to you long ago, before they took place I proclaimed them to you, so that you would not say, ‘My idol has done them…’” (Isa. 48:3,5)

Establish credibility

Provision against mistakes/fraud

What the OT says about Jesus Messianic prophecies

“Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan God’s work in vain; God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.” (unknown)

“And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.’” (Acts. 17:2-3)

Genealogy of Jesus

Lk. 3:…31-36:

David

Jesse

Judah

Jacob

Isaac

Abraham

Genealogy:

David

Jesse

Judah

Jacob

Isaac

Abraham

“When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

(2 Sam. 7:12-13) (qHb. 1:5)

Genealogy:

David Jesse

Judah

Jacob

Isaac

Abraham

“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.”

(Isa. 11:1)

Genealogy:

David Jesse Judah

Jacob

Isaac

Abraham

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”

(Ge. 49:10)

Genealogy:

David Jesse Judah Jacob

Isaac

Abraham

“You and your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and too the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Ge. 28:14)

Genealogy:

David Jesse Judah Jacob Isaac

Abraham

“As for Ishmael, I have heard you… but My covenant I will establish with Isaac…” (Ge. 17:20-21)

Genealogy:

David Jesse Judah Jacob Isaac Abraham

“And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Ge. 12:3)

Birth of Jesus

Mt. 1:18-2:18

Of a virgin

In Bethlehem

Children killed

His birth:

Of a virgin

In Bethlehem

Children killed

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

(Isa. 7:14)

His birth:

Of a virgin In Bethlehem

Children killed

“But as for you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2)

His birth:

Of a virgin In Bethlehem Children killed

“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be comforted, because they were no more.” (Jer. 31:15)

Events of His life

Journey to Egypt

Mt. 2:13f

Preceded by JohnMt. 3:3

Preached in Galilee

Mt. 4:12

Entry into Jerusalem on a donkey Mt. 21:5

Events of His life:

Journey to

Egypt

Preceded by John

Preached in Galilee

Entry into Jerusalem on a donkey

“When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” (Hos. 11:1)(Mt. 2:15)

Events of His life:

Journey to Egypt

Preceded by John

Preached in Galilee

Entry into Jerusalem on a donkey

“A voice is calling, ‘Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.’”

(Isa. 40:3)(Mt. 3:3)

Events of His life:

Journey to Egypt

Preceded by John

Preached in Galilee

Entry into Jerusalem on a donkey

“…in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.”

(Isa. 9:1)(Mt.

4:15)

Events of His life:

Journey to Egypt

Preceded by John

Preached in Galilee

Entry into Jerusalem on a donkey

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zech. 9:9) (Mt. 21:5)

His character

Meek Mt. 12:15-21

Sinless Hb. 4:15

His character:

Meek

Sinless

“He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break…”

(Isa. 42:2-3) (Mt. 12:15ff)

His character:

Meek

Sinless

“His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death, because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth.” (Isa. 53:9) (1 Pe. 2:21f)

Others’ reactions to Him

Stone of stumbling Lk.

20:…17

Unbelief Jn. 12:37-38

Despised/not esteemed Phil. 2:8

Deserted by His disciples Mt. 26:69

Reactions:

Stone…

Unbelief

Despised

Deserted

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” (Ps. 118:22) (Lk. 20:7)

Reactions:

Stone… Unbelief

Despised

Deserted

“Who has believed our message?”

(Isa. 53:1) (Jn. 12:37)

Reactions:

Stone… Unbelief Despised

Deserted

“He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”

(Isa. 53:3) (Phil. 2:8)

Reactions:

Stone… Unbelief Despised Deserted

“‘Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man, My Associate,’ declares that Lord of hosts. ‘Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may scatter.’”

(Zech. 13:7) (Mt. 26:31)

His Death: Betrayed by a friend

“Even My close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”

(Ps. 41:9) (Jn. 13:18)

His Death: Betrayed by a friend For 30 pcs. of silver

"If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!" So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages.”

(Zech. 11:12) (Mt. 26:15*)

His Death: Betrayed by a friend For 30 pcs. of silver Potter’s field

“Then the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them." So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”

(Zech. 11:12) (Mt. 27:9-10)

His Death: Betrayed by a friend For 30 pcs. of silver Potter’s field Silent when accused

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.”

(Isa. 53:7) (Lk. 23:9*)

His Death: Betrayed by a friend For 30 pcs. of silver Potter’s field Silent when accused

Smitten and spat on

“I gave my back to those who would strike me, and my cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I didn’t not cover my face from humiliation and spitting.”

(Isa. 50:6) (Mt. 26:67*)

His Death: Betrayed by a friend For 30 pcs. of silver Potter’s field Silent when accused

Smitten and spat on Mocked and insulted

“But I am a worm and not a man, a reproach of men and despised by the people. All who see me sneer at me; the separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying, ‘Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him; let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”

(Ps. 22:6-8)(Mt.

27:42f*)

His Death: Betrayed by a friend For 30 pcs. of silver Potter’s field Silent when accused

Smitten and spat on Mocked and insulted Stripped/clothing

divided

“They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

(Ps. 22:18)

(Jn. 19:24)

His Death: Crucified

“For dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet.”

(Ps. 22:16)

(Lk. 22:33*)

His Death: Crucified Between two thieves

“…because he poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors”

(Isa. 53:12)

(Mk. 15:28)

His Death: Crucified Between two thieves Given gall/vinegar

“They also gave me gall for my food and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”

(Ps. 69:21)

(Jn. 19:29-30)

His Death: Crucified Between two thieves Given gall/vinegar No broken bones

“He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken.”

(Ps. 34:20)

(Jn. 19:33-37)

His Death: Crucified Between two thieves Given gall/vinegar No broken bones Deserted by His

disciples

“‘Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man, My Associate,’ declares that Lord of hosts. ‘Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may scatter.’”

(Zech. 13:7)(Mt. 26:31)

Events after death: Resurrection

“For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.”

(Ps. 16:10)

(Jn. 20:19*)(qAc.

2:31)

Events after death: Resurrection Ascension

“You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell there.”

(Ps. 68:18) (Acts 1:9*)(qEph. 4:8f)

Events after death: Resurrection Ascension Right hand of God

“The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

(Ps. 110:1)

(Acts. 2:34f)

Events after death: Resurrection Ascension Right hand of God Betrayers office taken

“When he is judged, let him come forth guilty, and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; let another take his office.”

(Ps. 109:7,8) (Acts 1:20f)

His divine nature:

God, Father, Eternal Isa. 6:9

Eternal Micah 5:2 (cf. Col. 1:17*)

Anointed with the H.S. Isa. 11:2 (cf. Lk. 3:22*)

His roles:

Prophet Dt. 18:18 Mt. 21:11 Son Ps. 2:7 Mt. 3:17, Ac. 13 King Isa. 9:7 Mt. 27:11 Rv. 19:16 Lord Ps. 110:1 Ac. 2 Judge Isa. 33:22 Jn. 5:30 Savior Isa. 35:4-5 Mt. 11:4-5 Priest Ps. 110:4 Hb. 5:5,6 Shepherd Isa. 40:11 Jn. 10:11-14 Light to the Gentiles Isa. 49:6 Jn. 8:12 Head of the church I, D, J, + Ac. 2 Col.

1:18

His Kingdom:

Spiritual Isa. 52:7 Rm. 10:15

Everlasting Isa. 9:7 Lk. 1:33 Every knee will bow Isa. 45:23 Phil.

2:10

Probabilities

• 8 Prophecies fulfilled in one man: 1 in 1017: Born in Bethlehem Preceded by a messenger Entry in to Jerusalem on a donkey Betrayed by a friend and crucified Sold for 30 pcs. of silver Money thrown into God’s house, which

was the price for the potter’s field Silent before His accusers Crucified with thieves

Objections

• Willful fulfillment e.g., donkey (Zech. 9:9) • - This does not negate the fact that it was

fulfilled. (cf. Jn. 19:28-29)• - Some tried but failed (Theudas and

Judas, Acts 5:33-40)• - Attempted willful negation: Julian the

apostate, A.D. 362: “…and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Lk. 21:24)

Objections

• Willful fulfillment cont.

- His ancestry:

Shem, Ge. 9-10

Abraham, Ge. 12:3

Isaac, Ge. 17:20-21

Jacob, Ge. 28:14

Judah, Ge. 49:10

Jesse, Isa. 11:1

David, 2 Sm. 7:12

Objections

• Willful fulfillment cont.

- His ancestry

- Others’ reactions

- His death

Objections

• Willful fulfillment• Written after fulfilled

- Pentateuch c. B.C. 1,500

- Malachi c. B.C. 450

- LXX, B.C. 250

Re: “The proof of such a claim is lacking.”

God is incredible (Jn. 20:28)

Jesus - the Christ - is inescapable (Ps. 53:1)

Christians are insightful– “Vision looks inward and becomes duty.– Vision looks outward and becomes aspiration.– Vision looks upward and becomes faith.” (Stephen S.

Wise)

Christianity is incomparable (Jn. 14:6)