Prophecies Fulfilled

AN AMAZING FACT:  The Old Testament contains more than 300 references to the Messiah, covering many details concerning His birth, life, and death. It has been estimated that the odds of Jesus fulfilling even eight of these prophecies (if He were not the Messiah) is 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.

When Peter sees the mob grab Jesus, his adrenaline kicks in. He whisks out his sword and begins to use it. The impulsive fisherman is ready to take on the whole mob, but Jesus stops him.

“Don’t you know I can call on My Father, Peter? At any moment, He will send over 12 legions of angels if I ask Him.” Peter’s sword pales in comparison. Sheepishly he tucks away the weapon.

Jesus asks Peter another question: “If I call for an angel rescue, how can the Scriptures be fulfilled? The Scriptures that say it has to happen this way.”

If Peter had been really listening, if he had understood the message about fulfilling prophecy, maybe he wouldn’t have been so confused, bewildered, and scared in the hours that followed.

We have the advantage of hindsight that the disciples didn’t have at that time. We can read the prophecies and understand why things had to happen the way they did in the life of Christ. Through these fulfilled prophecies, we have overwhelming evidence that Jesus is the Messiah.

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? Matthew 26:50-54

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