<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE" The Father's Testimony Through Scripture INTRODUCTION 1. We saw where Jesus appealed to His Father's testimony through signs... a. Miracles and wonders that Jesus did (e.g., turning water to wine, healing the nobleman's son, healing the lame man, etc.) b. In which the Father bore witness to Jesus as being sent by God - cf. Jn 5:36 2. Jesus also appealed to His Father's testimony through scripture... a. The same Scriptures many looked to for eternal life - cf. Jn 5:39a b. Scriptures which themselves bore witness to Jesus - cf. Jn 5:39b 3. From Lk 24:44, we can assume that Jesus had in mind the following scriptures... a. The Law of Moses b. The Psalms c. The Prophets -- Note Jesus' words in Jn 5:45-47 [In these scriptures were many prophecies concerning the Messiah. In John's gospel, he records how many of these prophecies bore witness to Jesus as the Messiah...] I. THE PROPHECIES OF MOSES A. THE SEED OF WOMAN... 1. Recorded in Gen 3:15 2. Depicting conflict that would exist between Satan and Christ 3. This conflict referred to by Jesus in Jn 12:31-33; 14:30 -- Jesus' resurrection proved Him to be the fulfillment of this conflict - cf. He 2:14-15 B. THE SEED OF ABRAHAM... 1. Recorded in Gen 12:1-3; 22:18 2. That in his seed (Christ) all the nations would be blessed 3. Jesus made reference to the promise made to Abraham - Jn 8:56 -- In their gospels, Matthew and Mark reveal Jesus' genealogy from Abraham C. THE PROPHET TO COME... 1. Recorded in Deu 18:15,17-19 2. The prophet like Moses whom they were to heed 3. Jesus claimed to be such a spokesman (prophet) from God - Jn 12:48-49 -- His apostles later declared Jesus to be this prophet - cf. Ac 3:22-26 [From the prophecies of Moses, we turn now to...] II. THE PROPHECIES BY THE PROPHETS A. THE FORERUNNER... 1. Recorded in Isa 40:3 2. A reference to one who would prepare people for the coming of the Lord 3. John the Baptist makes reference to this prophecy - Jn 1:19-23 -- Thus the work and testimony of John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy B. THE SPIRIT COMING UPON HIM... 1. Several prophecies found in Isa 11:2; 42:1; 61:1 2. In which the Spirit was to come upon the Messiah 3. A fulfillment to which both John the Baptist and Jesus refer - Jn 1:32-33; 3:34 -- Luke also records how Jesus fulfilled such prophecies - cf. Lk 4:16-21 C. THE REJECTED TEACHER... 1. Prophecies related to this are Isa 53:1; 6:9,10 2. In which many would not receive the Messiah because of dull hearts 3. John made reference to these passages - Jn 12:37-41 -- The Jews' rejection of Jesus and His teachings thus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy D. THE KING'S ENTRANCE... 1. Recorded in Zech 9:9 2. Israel's king would come to Jerusalem riding on a donkey 3. John records Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem - Jn 12: 12-16 -- Later, His disciples would understand how this fulfilled what was written of the Messiah E. THE CRUCIFIXION AND BURIAL... 1. Reference to the crucifixion of the Messiah is made in Zech 12:10 2. Reference to his burial is found in Isa 53:9 3. John describes the crucifixion in detail, and refers to Zechariah's prophecy - Jn 19:37 4. He also refers to Isaiah's prophecy regarding His burial - Jn 19:38-42 [The Father's testimony through Scripture was not limited to prophecies found in the writings of Moses and the Prophets. Let's briefly note how John also make several references to...] III. THE PROPHECIES IN THE PSALMS A. HIS ZEAL... 1. Recorded in Psa 69:9 2. Mentioned by John in regards to Jesus cleansing the temple - Jn 2:14-17 B. HIS FAMILIAR FRIEND... 1. Recorded in Psa 41:9 2. Mentioned by Jesus in regards to the betrayal by Judas - Jn 13:18 C. BEING HATED WITHOUT A CAUSE... 1. Recorded in Psa 35:19; 69:4 2. Jesus explained that the Jews' rejection of Him fulfilled these passages - Jn 15:24-25 D. THE PARTING OF HIS GARMENTS... 1. Recorded in Psa 22:18 2. John explains this was fulfilled by the solders during the crucifixion - Jn 19:24 E. THE OFFER OF GALL AND VINEGAR... 1. Recorded in Psa 69:21 2. This was fulfilled by Jesus while on the cross - Jn 19:28-30 CONCLUSION 1. Through the writings of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms, the Father was bearing testimony... a. Preparing Israel for the coming of the Messiah b. Providing a way for them to be able to recognize the Messiah c. Proving that Jesus was everything that He claimed to be regarding the Messiah 2. We should not underestimate the force of such testimony from the Father... a. It has been estimated that over 300 prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus b. The likelihood that anyone coincidentally or purposefully fulfilled all these prophecies is mathematically implausible The apostles' depended heavily upon the testimony by the Father through Scriptures to convince people that Jesus was the Christ (cf. Ac 3:24; 17:2-3). Are we willing to accept the Father's testimony concerning His Son given through the Scriptures? Will we allow the Scriptures to produce faith in our hearts (cf. Ro 10:17)?<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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