The Life of Christ

He is Buried with the Rich

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:40:00 +0000

The death of the Messiah was a very painful death in order to pay the penalty for our sins. Despite the loneliness and His disciples and the Father forsaking Him in the time of His burial, He “was given an honorable burial after his dishonorable death because of his perfect innocence.” The Lord Jesus was worthy to receive such honor. In fact prophet Isaiah had recorded through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ would be buried by a rich man after His death (Is. 53:9).

Who was this rich man? Matthew answered that he was a rich man of Arimathaea whose name was Joseph (Matt. 27:57). “He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed” (Matt. 27:57-60). Joseph, being a rich man, provided all the necessary things for the burial of the Christ, so that Christ would be buried in a proper way and even according to Jewish tradition. He was not just thrown as the two thieves crucified with Him were.

Joseph together with Nicodemus prepared for the burial of Jesus Christ within a short time. These two disciples of God had shown their love for Christ. They were not one of the twelve disciples, but ordinary people who believed the Lord Jesus to be the Messiah sent by God the Father to fulfill what was written in the Scriptures concerning Him. On the other hand, His own chosen disciples did not come back to see the dead body of Christ, except “Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulcher” (Matt 27:61). God had allowed events to happen in such a way that the prophecy might be fulfilled as it was written.

His Side is Pierced

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:38:00 +0000

Having seen that the Lord Jesus Christ was dead, the soldiers did not break his legs or any bone as prophesied by the Psalmist. On the other hand, the prophet Zechariah prophesied about this same occasion describing the action taken by the soldiers toward Jesus Christ. He said, “. . . and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness of his firstborn” (Zech. 12:10). The context of the verse explains the promise of God concerning the repentance of the Jews despite the long time they had been provoking God. This same verse prophesies the piercing of their Messiah.

When the apostle John wrote his gospel, he did see that the incident of the piercing of the Lord Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the prophecy in the Old Testament. John recorded, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water” (John 19:34). This soldier was not content just to know that Jesus Christ was dead, he nevertheless pierced Him with a spear.

The crucifixion of Christ was a terrible mode of death. The great pain and torture that He experienced had caused Him to die sooner than the two criminals. As Lockyer commented, "Not only was it punctured by the soldier’s sword thrust, but the extreme mental and spiritual torture was so great that His heart was ruptured before the point of the sword pierced it. Appearance of blood and water indicated that the lymphatic fluid apparently had separated from the red blood, producing “blood and water."

He Has No Bones Broken

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Sun, 03 May 2009 09:37:00 +0000

After six hours hanging on the cross suffering intense agonies, the time had come when Jesus Christ must die. He died a terrible death. He had finished His work and accomplished perfectly what His Father had commanded Him then when Jesus said, “it is finished.”

It was on a Friday afternoon when the Lord Jesus Christ finished His work of Salvation. Since then, every believer in Him has direct access to the Father. Jesus Christ is the Mediator of man and for this reason He came to this world to accomplish what God the Father had planned for His people. Because Friday was a day of preparation for the Sabbath, the soldiers must remove the body of Christ from the cross. And when they saw Jesus had died they did not break His legs whereas the two persons crucified together with Him had their legs broken by the soldiers (John 19:32-33,36). The explanation is that if the person has not died yet, his legs must be broken to ensure death so that they could bury him before the Sabbath comes. It was the custom of the Jews that nobody can do works, including burial on the Sabbath.

Why didn’t the soldiers break the legs of Jesus Christ? The answer was that God the Father kept His word. The prophecy that says, “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken” (Ps. 34:20) must be fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. The intense agonies that He suffered were much worse than the two criminals hung together with Him. Nevertheless what was written in the Scriptures must be fulfilled. As Lockyer said, "While it is true that onlookers saw His bones protruding from His naked and emaciated body- “I may tell all my bones; they look and stare upon me”- yet in a miraculous way not a bone of the suffering Messiah was broken, even although some were out of joint. God kept His word, no bone of His Son was broken. But His bones waxed old through His roaring all the day long. It was a miracle of divine providence that Jesus was already dead when the soldiers came to club Him and thus hasten His death and the sooner remove His body from the cross."

He is Forsaken by God

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:34:00 +0000

It was in the dark hour when the Messiah bore the sins of the world. In His last three hours of crucifixion the world was coved with darkness, and Jesus was facing the darkest situation as He bore all the sins of this world. He was sinless and yet was made sin for us that man might be reconciled with God and that man might have direct access to God. Truly the suffering Jesus bore on our behalf was indescribable agony.

When Jesus Christ was being hung on the cross, He felt the loneliness. He was alone bearing the sins of the world. The multitudes that had seen the miracles He performed, the sick that had received healing from Him and His own disciples, had all forsaken Him, and left Him alone to be spat upon and smitten. The agonies of Jesus were great and indescribable when His own Father forsook Him. As Lockyer said, “It was heart-rending enough for Jesus to have disciples forsake Him and flee; but to be forsaken by His own Father was surely the crown of His anguish.” God the Father forsook Him not in the sense that He stopped loving His Son but rather because He was the sin-bearer. Lockyer again commented, "The face of God was turned, not so much from His Son in whom He always delighted, but from what His Son was bearing, namely, the sin of a lost world, for He was of purer eyes than to look upon iniquity. “God made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin.” Thus, it was more from Christ as the sin-bearer than from His actual Son that the Father hid His face. The strange enigma of God-forsakenness can only be understood in the light of Christ’s mediatorial office."

Matthew knew that God the Father forsaking His Son (Matt. 27:46) was surely the fulfillment of what the Psalmist had prophesied when He said, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” (Ps. 22:1). It was the cry of Jesus Christ on the cross when He bore all the sins of the world.

Soldiers Gambled for His garment

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:33:00 +0000

When the Messiah was being crucified on the cross, the women who followed Jesus were watching from afar with tears and lamentation while the Jewish leaders were rejoicing on seeing the Messiah on the cross, and the soldiers gambling for His garments. These people did not realize that what they were doing was actually fulfilling what the Scriptures said in the Old Testament books. How perfect the plan of God was, as can be seen from all these events being fulfilled and recorded for us!

The Psalmist ten centuries before Christ came in the form of a servant was able to note down the events that will occur during the crucifixion of Christ on Calvary. He said, “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture” (Ps. 22:18). The Omniscience God revealed this truth through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost given the Psalmist and through the Omnipotence of God fulfilled this prophecy as recorded in the four gospels. In particular Matthew recorded the account of the crucifixion of Christ in Matthew 27:35 “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” Thus, the gambling for the garments of Jesus was no doubt a fulfillment of the prophecy of David in the book of Psalm.

David expressed the condition of the Messiah in His first coming as the poor Servant of God. His last garment of earthly possession was gambled for the soldiers. Thus, when He came to this world He was absolutely poor in order that those who believed in Him might be rich. As Lockyer rightly added, “The clothes Jesus wore were His only possession in the world, yet even these were taken from Him. Those coarse, heartless soldiers might have had the decency to leave His seamless robe to hide His emaciated body.”

His Prayer for His Enemies

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:28:00 +0000

The love of God toward sinners is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. What the Lord had required of man had been accomplished and fulfilled by Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners. He kept all the commandments of God and led a holy life despite the sinful world which surrounded Him. Whichever commandment the first Adam had failed to keep, had been perfectly kept by the Messiah even unto death on the cross. He was obedient and faithful to finish His course and mission as His Father commended Him. This act of obedience is often called the Active and Passive obedience of Christ.

One proof that shows the endurance of Jesus Christ to finish His course is seen clearly while He was still hung on the cross. Despite the excruciating pain He bore on the cross, He gave Himself unto prayer for those enemies that were still waiting for His death. There was not a thought of revenge in His heart, but rather He saw the sinfulness and the sorrow of those enemies, living without God and obeying God. He prayed to His Father saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). As Lockyer rightly said, "For the pains Jesus received, He responded with prayers for those who ill-treated Him; He met indignities with intercession, suffering with supplication. He had taught His disciples to pray for those who would despitefully treat them: and at the Cross, He practiced what He had preached. What incomparable magnanimity! . . . He never paid people back in their own coin. He overcame evil with good. It takes much grace to kiss the hand that wounds. Retaliation was not in our Lord’s vocabulary."

How great the love of God toward sinners is! The intercessional prayer He offered to His father revealed that He had a very earnest longing for His persecutors to have another chance to repent of their sins. Jesus knew without this opportunity, His enemies would never taste victorious living and have eternal life. They will be lost in their sins and die without knowing their Messiah. This act of offering intercessional prayer was clearly predicted by the Psalmist when he said “For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer” (Ps. 109:4).

He is given Vinegar and Gall

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:25:00 +0000

When the Lord Jesus Christ was hung on the cross, hatred and mockery toward Him never ceased. His enemies were not satisfied spiting and smiting Him while He was in their hands, they continued expressing their hatred even when He was on the cross.

For six hours Christ was hanging on the cross with His wounded body facing the heart of the sun. How terrible the pain that He bore must have been to pay the penalty for our sins! It was at this time that He spoke His last words in a loud voice saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” (Mark 15:35), as an expression of the great pain He experienced. When the soldiers heard Him crying, one of them gave Him a sponge full of vinegar to drink (Mark 15:36; Matt 27:34). How painful it must have been when the vinegar flowed from His mouth onto His wounded body for He could not drink. Nonetheless soon after this event, Jesus “cried with the loud voice and gave up the ghost” (v.37). He died a very terrible death.

Again, nothing is accidental in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Psalmist records this terrible real event saying, “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” (Ps. 69:21). Based on this study, it is important to take note what John the apostle said concerning the prophecy about this event. Calvin put it in another way, "But still the Apostle John justly declares that this Scripture was fulfilled when the soldiers gave Christ vinegar to drink upon the cross (John xix:28-30;) for it was requisite that whatever cruelty the reprobate exercise towards the members of Christ, should by a visible sign be represented in Christ himself."

He is Scorned and Mocked

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:24:00 +0000

Another prophecy of the Old Testament concerning the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross reveals that the Messiah was scorned and mocked by the people. It was during the crucifixion, His enemies mocked Him saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God” (Luke 23:35), “If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself” (v. 37), “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us” (v.39). Nevertheless the mockeries that Jesus heard while He was hung on the cross did not cause Him to hate or think about revenge. His love toward them never changed.

The pain, suffering and mockery borne by Jesus caused some to have sympathy toward Him. Luke records that a great company of people including women that followed Christ on His way to Calvary, bewailed and lamented Jesus (Luke 23:27). But Jesus knew that it was not necessary for them to lament for Him but rather for themselves and their children (Luke 23:28). The Lord Jesus was prepared by the Father to bear all pains, mockeries and insults in order to fulfill the prophecies given in the scriptures.

The book of Psalm records the prophecy of what happened to the Messiah while He was hung on the cross. “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him” (Ps. 22:7-8). The fulfillment of this prophecy could be seen in the life of Jesus as recorded in the four gospels. Hundreds of years before Christ came to this world, the Lord had recorded the things that He would do and undergo during His short life in this world.

He is Pierced through Hands and Feet (Ps. 22:16; ref. John 20:27)

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:05:00 +0000

The hatred of the enemies of Christ was so terrible and cruel. Their own Messiah sent by God to bring victory of salvation in their midst and they put him to death on the cross. They reckoned Him as one of the malefactors who deserve to be crucified. Nonetheless, the love of God toward His chosen people did not diminish. Despite their wickedness and rejection of their Master and King, God still has a special plan for the nation of Israel. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in His last words, asked His Father to forgive them for their wrong doings toward Him (Luke 34:34). His love never changed. He knew His mission was to fulfill what was written in the scriptures.

The prophecy given by God to the Psalmist must be fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. His hands and feet must be pierced as the Psalmist had said, “For dogs have compassed me; the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet” (Ps. 22:16). All these were done when the unbelieving Jews crucified Jesus Christ. They nailed His hands and feet to the cross and He died there with all the wounds, pain and suffering. Jesus endured all these things because of the love he had for sinners.

However it is important to take note that the death of Jesus is not an eternal death. Three days after His death, He was resurrected as often taught to His disciples concerning His resurrection. The power of death could not overcome Him. He defeated death with victory. He resurrected and revealed Himself to the people and His disciples.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is real and not fictitious. Thomas, who did not believe in His resurrection, was convinced after the Lord Jesus Christ showed Himself to him. Jesus said, “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27). The scars on His hands and feet were proof of His suffering and death but He had resurrected from the dead.

He is Crucified with Malefactors (Is. 53:12; ref. Mark 15:27-28)

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:02:00 +0000

Another event prophesied in the Old Testament is the crucifixion of the Messiah together with the two malefactors. The prophet Isaiah saw once again the full suffering of Christ on the cross when he wrote in Isaiah 53:12 saying, “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” The Messiah, despite His holiness, living without sins and doing no wrong, was nailed on the cross. The Jews considered the punishment which Christ received to be of the same magnitude as those malefactors. Lockyer rightly opines, "The word Isaiah used for transgressors among whom Christ was numbered does not refer to the usual run of sinners, but to criminals, or those who were open transgressors of the law of God and man. Voluntarily He permitted Himself to be reckoned with male factors, and to all appearances as far as the mob was concerned, Jesus was a felon like His companions in death - perhaps considered a shade worse than the other two, as He was given the middle place."

How terrible His suffering was! He was so holy, living in this world, helping the weak and showing mercy to those who were distressed and oppressed. He taught the multitude to live according to the truth and the Law, but His enemies nailed Him on the cross. Nevertheless, it was done perfectly according to the prophecies given concerning Him in the Old Testament. Whatever the Lord had said concerning Him must be fulfilled. As Mark recorded, “And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors” (Mark 15:27-28).

Jesus was Vicarious Sacrifice (Is. 53:5; ref. Rom. 5:6,8)

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 07:01:00 +0000

The prophet Isaiah, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, devoted the whole chapter of Isaiah 53 to the prophecy concerning the sufferings and afflictions of the Messiah when He came in His first coming. Every verse of this chapter provides excellent descriptions of the Messiah’s sufferings. The gospel writers reveal in their writings that the story of the life of the Messiah reflects what Isaiah had recorded in his book. Isaiah saw that all these things would happen in the Christ.

Isaiah 53:5 in particular is talking about the vicarious sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is to say that the Messiah would be offered to be put to death as a substitute for sinners. As Isaiah said, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” How terrible the afflictions that Christ had borne on our behalf! He was God, willing to take a human form, came to this world to be wounded, bruised and chastised in order to bring salvation and save sinners. Thus Calvin rightly commented, "Here the Prophet draws a contrast between us and Christ; for in us nothing can be found but destruction and death; in Christ alone is life and salvation, he alone brought medicine to us, and even procures health by his weakness, and life by his death; for he alone hath pacified the Father, he alone hath reconciled us to him."

The death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross is medicine for sinners, because without His death, man could not be reconciled to God. Man would not have any hope of having salvation and eternal life. Nevertheless God knew the wretchedness of man. He showed His love toward men through the sending of His Only Begotten Son to die on the cross as our substitute. This has to be done by the Messiah, for man by his own strength cannot save himself but the Lord gives hope through His Son, Jesus Christ, as the apostle Paul said, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:6, 8). Thus the vicarious sacrifice of Jesus was well documented in the Old Testament time so that every true believer in the Lord can prepare himself for the coming of the Messiah.

Jesus is hated without reason (Ps. 35:19; ref. John 15:24-25)

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:55:00 +0000

Another prophecy concerning the sufferings of the Lord Jesus can be seen in Psalm 35:19 which shows evidence that Christ was hated without reason. The Psalmist said, “Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause” (Ps. 35:19). It is a sad thing when a person is hated without reason. The Messiah in His goodness and grace towards men, was willing to come to this world taking the form of a servant and yet being a servant and God, He was hated.

The context of this passage tells us Psalm 35:19 was actually David’s prayer to the Lord concerning his situation. David’s enemies were actually exulting “in the hope of seeing his overthrow and destruction.” Thus he prayed that “God would not suffer them to realize a desire so wicked.” This was the cruelty of David’s enemies toward him. Nonetheless the cruelty David faced was the picture of the cruelty that would be borne by Jesus Christ when He came in His first coming. For this reason, John the apostle saw that whatever happened to Christ was according to the plan of God. In fact the prophecy of Psalm 35:19 was declared to be fulfilled when John recorded the words of Jesus in John 15:24-25 saying, “If I had not done among them the 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.” Truly our God is a True and Living God, the Omnipotent, and Omnipresent God, who knows all things even before He created the world. The suffering, death and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ were all ordained beforehand.

Looking at the ministry of Jesus Christ no one could find any fault in Him in order to prove that He was guilty. When the Jews arrested Him and brought Him before the council, nobody could testify that Jesus was guilty, except those false witnesses. Pilate after his interrogation of Jesus, concluded that he found nothing that caused Him to be guilty. Nevertheless, the Jews, despite their pure conscious spoke the truth, claimed that Jesus must be put to the death. They were ready to take all the blame if only they could nail Jesus on the cross.

When Pilate knew that Jesus was not guilty, he actually desired to release Jesus from the hand of the Jews. Pilate offered them a choice: to choose Jesus to be nailed on the cross or to release Barabbas, a murderer. Nevertheless because of the hatred that the Jews had, they preferred Barabbas to be released from the cross, and allowed him to do whatever he liked rather than see Jesus teaching their people. Whatever reason the Jews might have, they were still accountable for what they have done to Christ. The terrible hatred of the Jews toward Jesus Christ was inexcusable.

Jesus was spat upon and Smitten (Is. 50:6; ref. Matt. 26:67)

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:52:00 +0000

When Jesus was found guilty before the council, it showed the cruelty of the Jews toward Him. However, when Isaiah describes further the sufferings that He bore on our behalf, it shows the great love God has for sinners. As the Scriptures describe the details of His sufferings, one should ponder in his heart that Christ died for him. Though Christ was God, He was submissive to the commandments of the Lord: what He had required of Him must be done justly and perfectly.

When making a careful study on the life of Jesus in the gospel, one is compelled to conclude that Christ had faced much suffering. The climax of His sufferings stretched from His arrest to the time He was nailed on the cross. It was during this time that all the prophecies about the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ given in the Old Testament were fulfilled for the glory of God.

The prophet Isaiah gave the prophecy of Jews despising and rejecting the Messiah. Isaiah 50:6 says, “I gave my back to the smitters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid no my face from shame and spitting.” This is to say that when the Messiah comes in His first coming, despite His position as a Prophet, Priest and King, He will be despised by His own people. He will be spat upon and smitten. What sorrow Jesus experienced when He received these insults from those whom He loved. Jesus had done nothing wrong to the Jews and yet He was rejected in this manner.

Matthew wrote further about this incident that happened to Jesus in His first coming in Matthew 26:67 “Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands.” All these must be borne by Jesus Christ in order to fulfill the Scriptures. As Lockyer rightly said, "The prophets were inspired by the Holy Spirit to testify beforehand minute details of the indignities the coming One was to endure. How else can we explain the most accurate descriptions of the humiliation of Christ, who did not appear until some 700 years after these were prophesied? Note how prediction and performance exactly agree. ‘Jesus was smitten with a rod upon His cheek.’"

During the suffering of Jesus Christ, despite all the trials that He had to face, He was obedient even unto death (Phil. 2:8). Though He was spat upon and smitten by His enemies, He was submissive to what His Father required of Him. What a sad commentary written by Matthew of how the religious leaders of the nation of Israel stooped to such disgraceful acts as spitting at the Messiah’s face, “buffeting Him, and slapping Him.” Nevertheless, despite all these things, the Lord Jesus Christ endured to the end in order to be faithful to His Father’s commandments.

Old Testament books such as the book of Isaiah provide the most wonderful stories of the suffering of the Messiah. Isaiah saw and understood the sorrow and sufferings that would happen to the Holy Prophet of God. Through his prophetic vision, Isaiah “saw God’s suffering Servant battered and bleeding, with a holy face covered with man’s spittle.” He was afflicted, suffered, abused because of the sins of this world. Thus with true faith in the Old Testament one could see from the story of the life of Jesus Christ what the Messiah would have to do to save sinners and fulfill what had been written in the Scriptures.

Jesus was Silent to Accusations (Is. 53:7; ref. Mark 15:4-5)

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:30:00 +0000

After those false witnesses had testified against the teachings of the Lord Jesus before the members of the council, Jesus remained silent. Jesus saw no reason to defend His situation for He knew that He had done nothing wrong concerning His teachings and works. In fact members of the council had heard the teachings of Jesus Christ because He was teaching in open places and the temple. Jesus knew that the council was just trying to find ways of putting Him to death.

After having heard all the testimonies of those witnesses, Pilate and the high priest expected to hear Jesus’ defense, but He was silent concerning all the accusations. On the other hand, the Jews knew that they needed to make definite charges against the Lord Jesus Christ, so the high priest asked Jesus for His response concerning those accusations (Mark 14:60). And again Pilate asked the same thing in Mark 15:4-5, but Jesus remained silent. Lockyer commented, “When falsely accused, He did not try to defend Himself, but endured the contradictions of sinners.” The only question that Christ answered during His trial was the question whether He was the Christ, the Son of the Blessed. Then Jesus answered that He is (Mark 14:62).

The false accusations against Jesus Christ are recorded in the gospels in order to reveal the sufferings that He bore to save sinners. In other words both the Old and New Testament people were able to see the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the cross. As prophet Isaiah said, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Is. 53:7). Jesus was silent during all the trials that He underwent as fulfillment of the prophecy given in the Old Testament.

Jesus was Accused by False Witnesses (Ps. 35:11; ref. Mark 14:57-58)

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:32:00 +0000

The ministry of the Messiah was well planned by God the Father even before He sent His Son to this world. Everything that would happen to Christ had been pre-ordained by the Lord. Thus when Jesus Christ came to this world, He was obliged to do what His father had commanded Him. His mission was to please His Father in the things He had planned for the redemption of the wretched man.

The life and death of Jesus had been programmed by God. Everything Jesus did must be acceptable and according to the Father’s wish and nothing could happen to His Son without the foreknowledge of God the Father. In fact when the New Testament books record the life of Jesus Christ, they give strong support to the fact that even the false witnesses against the ministry and works of Jesus was recorded. Mark 14:57-58 said, “And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and with three days I will build another made without hands.”

The content of this verse is not contrary to what Jesus proclaimed during His preaching and teaching sessions. It is true that Jesus did say, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). Nevertheless, what Jesus said here refers to His body and not to the temple building or the sanctuary. Jesus never said that He would destroy the Sanctuary. But the unbelieving Jews were blind and could not understand what Jesus had said. To them what Jesus meant was that Jesus would truly destroy the sanctuary and in three days He would rebuild it. However, Mark emphasized in his gospel that what these people had claimed were actually false witnesses against the Messiah.

Although Jesus Christ did nothing wrong, the chief priest and all the members of the council looked for witnesses against Jesus to put him to death (Mark 14:54). After all, they could not find any fault in Him; in fact those false witnesses did not agree with each other (Mark 14:55). The Psalmist said in Ps. 35:11, “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.” Everything that had been predicted concerning the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, must be fulfilled as seen in this passage.

Jesus was Betrayed for Thirty Pieces of Silver (Zech. 11:12; ref. Matt. 26:14-15)

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:30:00 +0000

For the second time, the scripture records how the Messiah would be betrayed in His first coming. In Psalm 41:9, He was betrayed by His close friend or disciple, while the prophet Zechariah gave details of how His disciple would betray Him. Both the Psalmist and Zechariah were referring to the same person. And these passages were given to the Old Testament believers that they might anticipate and know what would happen to the Messiah in His first coming.

What did the prophet Zechariah prophesy concerning the betrayal of the Messiah? He said, “And I said unto them, if ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver” (Zech. 11:12). This verse is talking about the value of the Messiah sold by his disciple to those who had been appointed by the Lord to fulfill what was recorded in the scriptures. The prophet Zechariah was chosen by God to be one of prophets to reveal the truth to the Old Testament believers concerning both the first and second coming of the Messiah.

The first coming of the Messiah was not to set up His kingdom but rather He was appointed to be a servant, who would bear the sufferings, and the sins of the world and redeem man by His death at the cross. His forth-coming crucifixion was very clearly proclaimed in His preachings before the multitudes and in particular among His disciples. In fact Jesus Christ said that one of the disciples would betray Him. This implied that the Lord Jesus Christ prepared the hearts of His disciples to accept what would happen to Him as recorded in the scriptures.

The crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ would not be fulfilled except being preceded by the betrayal of His own disciples. Matthew recorded the account of how Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver” (Matt. 26:14, 15). Judas Iscariot went to the chief priest, the main enemies of Jesus, asking how much they would give him for betraying his own Master. What Judas Iscariot had done here is proof of his avarice, even selling His own Master for thirty pieces of silver. Lockyer said, “What an illustration of false values we have in this bargain Judas struck with those who wanted to murder his Master! What a measly sum to pay for Him Who declared that all the silver and the gold belonged to Him, and whose price is above rubies!”

Whatever reason Judas had for betraying his own Master, the scripture recorded that it was prophesied in the Old Testament that everything that had been written must be fulfilled for the glory of the Lord.

Jesus was Betrayed by a Close Friend (Ps. 41:9; ref. Luke 22:47-48)

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:28:00 +0000

The prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the first coming of the Messiah not only related the lineage, birth, life and ministry of the Messiah, but also provided clear descriptions of the death and crucifixion of Christ. This implies that the life which Christ led in this world was not accidental but was well planned by God the Father. Even the Old Testament believers were able to see what Christ would do and undergo when He came to this world.

Psalm 41:9 is one of the passages in the Old Testament that gives an account of who would betray the Messiah. The Psalmist wrote, “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” In other words, it was not only those who were in His own household who would reject Him but also the person who was with him, having meal and drink with Him at His table who would betray Him. And the Psalmist emphasized the idea in this verse that the person who would lift up his heel against Him would be the one whom he called His close friend and who lived with Him.

Although David was speaking of himself in this Psalm, nonetheless, he presented the person of Christ. What was begun in David would be fully accomplished in Christ. The prophecy given to those chosen of God in the Old Testament would be fully fulfilled in the appointed time of the Lord.

Who was the betrayer mentioned in Psalm 41:9? The Old Testament believers absolutely did not know the name of the person, but it was known that he was one of the Messiah’s close friends. The New Testament books record that the person who was prophesied to betray the Lord Jesus Christ was Judas Iscariot. He was truly a very close friend of Jesus for he was His own disciple, one who heard all the teachings and saw all the miracles of Christ. He was chosen to play the role of the betrayer as a fulfillment of scripture. John the apostle recorded in his gospel, “I know whom I have chosen; but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me, hath lift up his heel against me” (John 13:18).

Although Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve Disciples of Christ and was always with Him and even served together with other apostles, he never believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. His heart was hardened and he was used as an instrument of the Devil to betray the Lord Jesus Christ. Lockyer rightly said, “Although chosen as an apostle, Judas could never have had a deep love in his heart for Jesus; otherwise he would never have heartlessly betrayed Him as he did. No wonder that, after he realized the enormity of his foul deed, he committed suicide.” With the help of Judas Iscariot, the Jews nailed the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. But Jesus Christ knew all these things happened to fulfill what was recorded in the Scripture.

Jesus was Adored by the Children (Ps. 8:2; ref. Matt. 21:15-16)

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:25:00 +0000

Every detail of the first coming of the Messiah is well recorded in the Old Testament books. The prophecy given by the Psalmist concerning the ministry of the Messiah in Psalm 8:2 is indeed for the praise of the Lord Jesus Christ. When the Psalmist wrote “Out of the mouth of the babes and sucklings has thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger,” shows that the Lord can do anything in order to glorify His Son, Jesus Christ. The Lord can open the mouth of babes and the suckling to proclaim the truth and speak against the unbelieving leaders of the Jews.

There is no doubt that what the Psalmist prophesied here has been truly fulfilled during the ministry of Jesus Christ. Matthew wrote, “And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, and said unto him, Hearest thou these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never heard, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise” (Matt. 21:15-16). When the chief priests and scribes heard the shouting of the children, they considered it as blasphemy against God, for in the temple they called Jesus the Son of David. They tried to stop the children but the Lord Jesus allowed them to continue by quoting what the Psalmist had written concerning this event.

The shouting of the children, “Hosanna to the Son of David” was apparently an echo of the crowds who shouted “Hosannas” when Christ entered Jerusalem. Nevertheless, in all probability the Hosannas of the children were far more pure in Spirit than those of the older people. Thus it is absolutely right to say that God is also using the shouting of the children for His own glory.

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:38:00 +0000

Again and again, the Old Testament prophets had prophesied about the things that the Messiah would do when He would come in His first coming. Now the prophet Zechariah prophesied concerning the ministry of the Messiah and in particular about His triumphal entry to the city of Jerusalem. Zechariah gave a word of comfort to the Jews who were waiting for their King. He said, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, o daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zech. 9:9).

With regard to this verse, there are three important things which we should take note of. Calvin rightly commented, "The sum of the whole is, that the prediction by which God gave to his chosen people a hope of redemption were not vain or void; for at length in due time Christ, the son of David, would come forth, - Secondly, that this king would be just, and saved or preserved; for he would restore things into order which were in a disgraceful state of confusion, - and thirdly, he adds, that this king would be poor; for he would ride on an ass, and would not appear in great eminence, nor be distinguished for arms, or for riches, or for splendour, or for number of soldiers, or even for royal trappings which dazzle the eyes of the vulgar: he shall ride on an ass."
This is to say that the prophecy of Zechariah reveals that the Messiah would be a King when He enters Jerusalem. Nevertheless the last part of Zech. 9:9 shows that when the King comes He would be poor and riding on an ass.

When Mark recorded the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem, he emphasised that Jesus was sitting upon a colt (Mark 11:7). Therefore when the people saw Jesus, they shouted, “Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11:9). They knew that Jesus was the one prophesied by Zechariah. Nevertheless soon after this event, the Jews were waiting for Jesus to bring victory and liberty to the nation of Israel as a King appointed by God. When they realised that Jesus did not do as they wished, they rejected Him. Nonetheless, those who believed in Him knew that in His first coming, the Messiah would come as a poor and a servant. But in the Second Coming of Christ, He would come as a King who would fulfil what the Scripture said concerning Him.

Jesus Is The Priest After The Order Of Melchizedec

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:53:00 +0000

The prophecy of the second function of the threefold titles of the Lord Jesus Christ is expounded in a very distinctive way. Earlier on He was described as a Prophet (Deut. 18:15), and here as a Priest. The Old Testament priesthood is disputable for as a priest, he must be from the line of Aaron, the Levite. This is an absolute truth given to the nation of Israel. It is the commandment of the Lord.

A careful study of the Old Testament will show that the coming Messiah is definitely not from the line of Levite. The Messiah is from the line of Judah, the line of kingship for Israel. Old Testament history records that there has never occurred in the history of Israel a priest from the line of Judah. It was from only the line of Aaron, the Levite appointed by God, that the line of priesthood came. Anyone who tried to take the position of priesthood other than those from the line of Aaron was an abomination to the Lord.

However, a study of Ps. 110:4 that says, “The Lord hat sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek,” shows a special characteristic of the coming priest. First, He is “a priest for ever.” There was never such a priest from the line of Aaron. Every priest in the Old Testament was limited by time and none was forever. And second, He is a priest “after the order of Melchizedek.” In the whole of scripture, the name of Melchizedek is mentioned only on three occasions namely in Gen. 14:18-20; Ps. 110:4 and Heb. 5:5-10, 6:19-7:28. Apart from these passages, the scripture says nothing about him. And it is important to take note that Aaronic priesthood was never referred to as after the order of Melchizedek.

Long before Aaron was appointed High Priest, Melchizedek was. Gen. 14:18-20 records that Abraham acknowledged Melchizedek as a high priest to whom he offered a tithe. His priesthood was most special and the Scriptures do not record from which line he had come. Nevertheless, the Psalmist shows that the coming Priest was from the order of Melchizedek.

In addition, Gen. 14:18-20 explains that Melchizedek was the only priest who had ever lived that held a position of both priest and King. He was a unique priest and king. Thus, when the Psalmist said, “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek,” truly, the coming Priest, the Messiah would follow the order of Melchizedek, for Melchizedek was a type of Christ.

When the writer of the book of Hebrews in Heb. 5:5-6 quoted the prophecy of the Psalmist, he added the idea of Sonship to the priesthood. In other words, he did see that the Christ who is the Son of God would be called also a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. As Barnes rightly opines, "To say that he was of the same order of Melchicedec was to say that he was of the same rank or station. He was like him in his designation to the office. In what respect he was like him the apostle shows more fully in [Hebrews] chapter vii. One particular in which there was a striking resemblance, which did not exist between Christ and any other high-priest, was, that Melchisedec was both a priest and a king. None of the kings of the Jews were priest, nor were any of the priests ever elevated to the office of king. But in Melchisedec these offices were united, and this fact constituted a striking resemblance between him and the Lord Jesus. . . . The meaning, is that Melchisedec was of a peculiar rank or order, that he was not numbered with the Levitical priests, and that there were important features in his office which differed from theirs. In those features it was distinctly predicted that the Messiah would resemble him."

Jesus was Rejected By His Own People, The Jews

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:20:00 +0000

The life and ministry of Jesus Christ were well documented and prophesied in the Old Testament. Various books of the Old Testament give indisputable information on the first coming of the Messiah, beginning from the book of Genesis right through to the book of Malachi. Prophet Isaiah in particular provides an excellent account of the first coming of the Messiah. He begins with the birth of the Messiah (Is. 7:14) and continues right through with the suffering that the Messiah would bear in His first coming (Is. 53).

The Jews were overwhelmed by the idea of the coming of the Messiah. They knew that “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever” (Is. 9:6-7). This prophecy occupied the minds of the Jews to the extent that they could not differentiate the first coming from the second coming of the Messiah. What Isaiah said in Is. 9:6-7 would certainly be fulfilled by the Messiah, but would not be a hundred percent so in His first coming. The Jews did not have any idea of the Messiah coming in two great periods. What they knew was that Christ would come as a King to bring victory and liberty to the nation of Israel. But the Jews made a great mistake on this issue, for they did not realize that the Messiah would come first in the form of a servant. He was a suffering servant.

The prophet Isaiah in his writings in Is. 53:3 said, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as if were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” The Jews could not understand or accept this verse. Whatever reason these may be, prophet Isaiah prophesied the suffering of the Messiah in His first coming.

This prophecy was fulfilled during the life of Christ. When He came to this world to bring victory of salvation, He was despised, mocked and rejected by His people. The Jews were supposed to know this truth beforehand, for they had been chosen by God to be the nation from which the Messiah would come. But the Jews could not see the real function of the Messiah in His first coming. They were blinded by their sins. John the apostle recorded that when Jesus Christ came unto His own, they reject Him (John 1:11). Calvin rightly said, “Christ therefore first offered Himself to them as if they were His own household and belonged to His kingdom in their own right.” Nevertheless the Jews could not see the light and rejected their Saviour.” As Keil added, "The nation, which acknowledges with penitence how shamefully it has mistaken its own Saviour, laments that it has put no faith in the tidings of the lofty and glorious calling of the servant of God. . . . The heathen receives with tidings of things which had never been heard of before; whereas Israel has to lament that it put no faith in the tidings which it had heard long, long before, not only with reference to the person and work of the servant of God, but with regard to His lowly origin and glorious end."

Thus, when the Jews nailed the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, it was the final proof of their rejection of Him to be their Saviour. He was despised during His ministry and the last hours of His life on the cross. Nonetheless, Isaiah the prophet had prophesied the things that would be undergone by the Messiah before His death in His first coming.

Jesus Heals The Broken-Hearted

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:16:00 +0000

The writings of the prophet Isaiah in one of the Old Testament books provide a clear prophecy of the first coming of the Messiah. He did not only prophesy the birth of Jesus Christ (Is. 7:14) but also the life (Is. 53:1-12) and His ministry (Is. 61:1-3). The writings of Isaiah were chosen to be the light for Old Testament believers in order that they might know the coming Messiah who would bear the iniquities of the world.

What did Isaiah prophesy concerning the ministry of the coming Messiah? Isaiah recorded in Is. 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” This verse emphasizes the ministry of the prophet who has the Spirit of God toward those who are destitute, the poor and the brokenhearted. People who were in these situations were often oppressed by the rulers and the authorities. People who were financially poor were cheated and those who were poor in Spirit, were never fed with the truth. Corruption was rampant in the lives of the chosen people of God.

A close study of Is. 61:1 will show clearly that what the prophet Isaiah prophesied did not concern those who were merely financially poor but rather spiritually poor. Barnes rightly commented on this issue, "By the poor are meant all those who are destitute of comfort of this life, and who therefore may be more readily disposed to seek treasures in heaven; all those are sensible of their sins, or are poor in Spirit (Matt 5:3); and all the miserable and the afflicted (Is 58:7). . . . The Pharisees and Sadducees despised the poor, ancient philosophers neglected them; but the gospel seeks to bless them – to give comfort where it is felt to be needed, and where it will be received with gratitude."

Nevertheless the question remains: Who would do this ministry for God’s people? The people of Israel before and after the captivity were still the same and remained so in the New Testament time. Prophet after prophet had come and gone, yet the broken-hearted were never healed. Sorrow upon sorrow remained in the midst of the people and none there showed any mercy.

Luke 4:18-19 quotes from Isaiah 61:1. Jesus Christ quoted this when He was asked to read a portion of Scripture in one of the Synagogues in Nazareth. God the Father showed Him the verse from Is. 61:1 to be read in public. The hearers agreed with what Jesus had read, for they knew it would be fulfilled when the Messiah came. However the situation was changed when Jesus Himself declared, “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:21). The Jews realized that Jesus was referring to Himself. Soon, the worshipers shouted and mocked at Him for they knew that He was the son of Joseph.

The fulfillment of this prophecy given was not declared by other prophets or apostles, but rather Jesus Himself. The claim that Jesus made in Nazareth was truly proven during the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. As Geldenhuys said, "God had sent Him to heal those who were broken-hearted and found themselves in spiritual distress; to proclaim deliverance to those who were captive in the power of sin and in spiritual wretchedness; to give back to the spiritually blind the power of sight; to cause those who were downcast and inwardly bruised to go forward in triumph; and thus to ‘proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, i.e. to announce the Messiah age – the period ushered in by His appearance, in which God will grant His salvation to His people."

Jesus Is The Prophet Like Moses

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:35:00 +0000

The Old Testament books provide every true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ wonderful information on promises and prophecies. They were given to God’s people with the purpose that they might be able to search the truth from the plain writings given in the Scriptures. Various names, titles and identities of the coming Saviour had been provided in order that they might know who the Messiah would be.

The prophet Moses prophesied the coming Prophet before the Israelites were to enter the Promised Land. He said to them, “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken” (Deut. 18:15). When Moses gave this prophecy the Israelites might not have been aware of the Prophet Messiah. They might be thinking that it would be one of the prophets that would come immediately after the death of Moses. But a study of the lives of those prophets after Moses will convince us that none was like Moses.

The prophet Moses was a unique prophet. He was so different from other prophets. The Lord Himself said in Num. 12:6-8 “If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches: and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold.” In addition, the ministry of Moses was specially characterized by the miracles he performed before the Egyptians and the children of Israel (Ex. 7-12). Above all, Moses was given the special privilege to receive the Law from the Lord for the people of Israel. As Kaiser rightly remarks, “Yet Moses, the prophet, was unique in his miracles, his direct access to God’s revelation, his giving of the Law, his actions as deliverer, and his office as judge over the people.”

Then, who was the Prophet mentioned by Moses in Deut. 18:15? A study of the books of the New Testament would show that the prophet here was the Messiah. The office of prophet was one of the three functions that the Messiah would fulfill in His first coming. Others were as priest and king. The prophetship of Jesus Christ was unique, just as Moses’ was. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ shows similarity to Moses’. However, Jesus’ ministry was far excellent, for He is the Deliverer of our salvation.

It is important to take note that the preaching of Peter in Acts 3:20,22 confirms what Moses said in Deut. 18:15. Peter said, “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you at your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.” Peter knew that the prophet whom Moses meant here was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He is the Messiah. Thus, it was for this reason Peter quoted Deut. 18:15 in his preaching recorded in Acts 3:22. Nevertheless when the priest, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees heard Peter’s preaching, they were grieved (Acts 4:1-3).

In addition, the apostle John recorded that when the people saw the Lord Jesus Christ perform the miracle of feeding five thousand people, they exclaimed, “This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world” (John 6:14). On another occasion, when Philip believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, he proclaimed to Nathanael saying, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the Law, and the prophets, did write” (John 1:45). The same thing happened when the Samaritan woman met Jesus, she concluded that Jesus was that prophet (John 4:19,29). Nothing can be said against this truth. We have to admit that the Old Testament books had described the coming Messiah to be a Prophet like Moses. It is a fact that this can only be applied to the Lord Jesus Christ, for Moses was a type of Christ.

Jesus Speaks In Parables

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:33:00 +0000

The ministry of Jesus Christ was often characterized by the miracles He performed. These miracles were performed to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. Such wonders done by Jesus had never happened before in the midst of the Israelites. The prophets and the high priests had never done such great miracles. No one can do such works accept the Lord is with Him (ref. John 3:2).

The ministry of Jesus Christ was not only known for His miracles but also for the parables that He uttered in His teaching. In the four gospels, Jesus spoke in parables frequently to convey the message that He received from the Father. Parables were the most effective way for Him to declare the truth. Some of the parables might be easy to understand but some might not. Nevertheless such ministry was not accidental but had been planned by God the Father.

In the Old Testament there is a prophecy given to the people of Israel concerning the ministry of Jesus Christ. Asaph recorded in Ps. 78:2-4 saying, “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and our father have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praise of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.” When Matthew recorded the ministry of Jesus Christ, he did emphasize that the parables spoken by Christ to the multitudes were the fulfillment of the prophecy given by Asaph. Although many scholars might not agree to this truth, Matthew did. He showed the prophecy of Asaph as the absolute truth that Christ spoke parables. “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet” (Matt. 13:35). Lenski rightly said, “Aside from inspiration, the honest assumption would be that Matthew made no mistake such as this: and another equally strong assumption would be that; if he had, those about him would have detected and at once corrected it.” Hendriksen further said, “by the inspiration of the Spirit, Matthew sees in this use of parables as fulfillment of prophecy, once focusing the attention upon Jesus as being indeed the Messiah who was to come.” In other words, Asaph was a type of Christ.

The parables spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ would remain unsolved riddles to those who do not believe in Him but are “highly illuminating illustrations for those having or receiving the solution (believers).” The ministry of Jesus Christ is well recorded in the Old Testament that He would speak in parables to the multitudes. To them who believe in Him, His parables would be a light, on the other hand it would be unsolved riddles or mysteries to those who reject Him.

The Galilian Ministry Of Jesus Christ

noreply@blogger.com (galung) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:07:00 +0000

The ministry of Jesus Christ was not only revealed to the people whom the Lord had chosen during the last three and half years, but just as His birth had been proclaimed in the Bible hundreds of years before His actual birth to this world, it had been prophesied: what He would do and where He would serve. One of the prophets who prophesied about this ministry is the prophet Isaiah. He said that Jesus Christ would be fulfilling His ministry in the province of Galilee to be known as the Galilean ministry. The four gospels record that in this region of Galilee, Jesus Christ had done a great work to show the people that He is the Messiah whom the Lord had promised to their forefathers.

The context of Isaiah chapter 9 tells us about the condition of the nation of Israel at that time, particularly the Northern Kingdom which rejected God’s Word through the prophet Isaiah. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali because of their disobedience and unbelief were the first targets of the Assyrians to hold captive. Nevertheless, the prophecies informs that these lands would also be the first to see the new and great light that God would focus on Israel (cf. Isaiah 60:1-3). When the Lord gave His word to the prophet Isaiah in chapter 9:1-2, the Lord, despite their rejection of His Word, continued to give graciously the light again. In Matt. 4:13-16, Matthew wrote of the fulfillment of the prophecy given by Isaiah. As Grogan said, “Matthew rightly saw the fulfillment of this in the ministry of Jesus in Galilee (Matt. 4:15-16; cf. Luke 1:79; John 8:12; cf. John 7:52 with its reference to Galilee.”

Based on this study, the light that would come to the nation of Israel would not rise upon the land of Judah first, though Christ was from the line of Judah, but rather upon other parts of the land, the region of Galilee. During the invasion of the Assyrians the land of Zebulun and Naphtali suffered the most. Nevertheless Keil said, “these countries would be the very first that would be remembered when that morning dawn of glory should break. Matthew informs us (ch. Iv.13 sqq) in what way this was fulfilled at the commencement of the Christian times.” A study of the ministry of the Messiah in the four gospels will show that the Lord had enlightened the people of God in the region of Galilee by spending more time in this region and performing more miracles. In fact Jesus spent most of His time together with His disciples in the region of Galilee.

Looking at the chronological order of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, it will be noted that soon after the early Judean and Samarian ministries of Christ, His ministry was focused on the land of Galilee. There were three periods of great ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ in Galilee during which miracle after miracle were performed in the midst of the people. In addition, it was during these ministries that the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself as the Messiah through His teachings and miracles performed in the midst of the people.