Was Jesus really the promised Messiah of the Old Testament? Christians observe Christmas to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. But why? Why is the birth of one baby so significant?
Christians recognize that the babe born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago was the Annointed One of God. The long-awaited Savior God had promised to provide redemption for the sins of all people.
The Old Testament is full of prophecies about the Messiah that would come. I thought it appropriate for this time of year to list some of those OT prophecies about the Savior and how they were fulfilled in Jesus. There are 39 listed below.
39 Prophecies fulfilled by the Promised Messiah
If each of these prophecies is given a 50/50 probability of occurring in the life of one individual, the odds of fulfilling all 39 prophecies below would be: 1 in 549,755,813,900 Jesus is the only person whose life fulfills each and every one of the messianic prophecies. Thank God that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah!
1. The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 Matthew 2:1
2. The Messiah will be a descendant of Judah. Genesis 49:10 Luke 3:23-38; Matt 1:1-17
3. Great kings will pay homage and tribute to the Messiah. Ps 72:10-11 Matt 2:1-2, 11
4. The Messiah will be a descendant of David. Ps 132:11; Jer 23:5-6; 33:15 Luke 1:32-33
5. The Messiah will be born of a virgin. Is 7:14 Matt 1:18-21
6. Children will be killed in effort to kill the Messiah. Jer 31:15 Matt 2:16-17
7. The Messiah will be taken to Egypt. Hosea 11:1 Matt 2:14-15
8. The Messiah will be the Son of God. Ps 2:7-8 Matt 3:17
9. The Messiah will be heralded by the messenger of the Lord. Is 40:3-4 Matt 3:1-3
10. The Messiah will be anointed by the Holy Spirit. Is 11:2 Matt 3:16-17
11. The Messiah will bring light to Galilee. Is 9:1-2 Matt 4:12-16
12. The Messiah will preach good news to the poor, comfort the broken hearted, and announce the year of the Lord’s favor. Is 61:1-2 Luke 4:16-21
13. The Messiah will be hated without cause. Ps 35:19 John 15:23-25
14. The Messiah will make the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the mute speak. Is 35:5-6 Matt 11:2-6
15. The Messiah will enter Jerusalem riding a donkey. Zech 9:9 Matt 21:1-4, 6-11
16. The Messiah will arrive in Jerusalem at a specified time. Dan 9:25 Gal 4:4
17. The Messiah will enter the Temple with authority. Mal 3:1 Matt 21:12-13
18. The Messiah will be rejected. Is 53:3 John 19:14-15
19. The Messiah will be silent in front of his accusers. Is 53:7 Matt 26:62-63
20. The Messiah will be rejected by the Jews. Ps 118:22 Peter 2:7
21. The Messiah will be betrayed by a friend. Ps 41:9 John 13:18-19, 26-27
2. The Messiah will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Zec 11:12 Matt 26:14-15
23. The 30 pieces of silver will be thrown in the potter’s field. Zech 11:13 Matt 27:3-8
24. The Messiah will be accused by false witnesses. Ps 35:11 Mark 14:56
25. The Messiah will be beaten, mocked, and spit upon. Is 50:6 Matt 26:67
26. The Messiah will be beaten, bloodied, and disfigured. Is 52:13-14 John 19:1-3
27. The Messiah will be mocked and told to save himself. Ps 22:7-8 Matt 27:41-44
28. The Messiah’s enemies will pierce his hands and feet. Ps 22:16 John 19:17-18
29. The Messiah will be given vinegar and gall to drink. Ps 69:21 Mark 15:23
30. The Messiah’s enemies will divide his clothes among themselves and cast dice for his garments. Ps 22:17-18 John 19:23-24
31. The Messiah’s bones will not be broken. Ps 34:19-20 John 19:31-33
32. The Messiah’s life will be poured out like water. Ps 22:14 John 19:34
33. The Messiah will be struck down & disciples will be scattered. Zech 13:7 Matt 26:31, 56
34. The Messiah will be buried in a rich man’s grave. Is 53:9 Matt 27:59-60
35. The Messiah will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing. Dan 9:26 Acts 2:22-24. Historical fulfillment: destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD
36. The Messiah will be raised from the dead (resurrected). Ps 16:10, 49:15 Matt 28:5-7
37. The Messiah will bear the sins of many and intercede for sinners. Is 53:4-12 Rom 3:23-26
38. The Messiah will ascend to heaven. Ps 68:18 Luke 24:51
39. The Messiah will be served by future generations. Ps 22:30 Evidenced still today!
Yes, Jesus is the true Messiah.
He is the Messiah Ben Joseph, who came to suffer and give His life for the gift of Salvation.
Later in the Scripture; He will then be the Messiah Ben David
for He will come and be King.
John the Baptist said that Jesus was the Lamb, and later, John had doubts and sent messengers to ask Jesus; Are you the one, or
do we look for another? Jesus answered him.
To understand at thay time and moment, the Jews were looking for their Mesiah to come and deliver them from the Roman Rule, and they forgot what the Scriptures had spoken in Isaiah.
May this bless you and all who look for His coming.
Thank you Pastor for sharing your insight!