JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIVING CENTER OF SCRIPTURE
Brethren, hear this with a ready heart. From Genesis to Malachi, God seeded promises, patterns, types, and shadows that converge in Jesus Christ.
The prophets spoke, the psalms sang, the covenants pointed, the sacrifices whispered, and when the fulness of the time was come He stepped into history and fulfilled it all (Galatians 4:4, KJV).
Friends, Jesus is the “Yes” to every promise (2 Corinthians 1:20, KJV). Praise the Lord. Thankyou Lord. Praise be to God. If God kept His Word in Christ, He will keep His Word to you. Let faith rise. Let doubt fall. Choose today to trust the Promise-Keeper.
Seeing Jesus Foretold: Prophecies Kept, Faith Secured
Born of a Virgin. God gave a sign. “A virgin shall conceive” (Isaiah 7:14), and Matthew records its fulfillment in Mary and the Christ Child (Matthew 1:22-23).
Born in Bethlehem. Micah named the town (Micah 5:2), and a census moved Joseph and Mary there right on time.
Son of David. God promised David a seed and a throne forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13). The Gospels trace Jesus’ royal line in Matthew 1 and Luke 3, and the blind cried, “Thou Son of David” (Matthew 20:30).
Miracle Ministry. Isaiah foresaw opened eyes, unstopped ears, leaping lame, and singing tongues (Isaiah 35:5-6). When John doubted, Jesus answered with works that matched the prophecy (Matthew 11:4-5).
Suffering Servant. Isaiah said He would be despised and rejected and wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:3, 5), silent before accusers (Isaiah 53:7) because the LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6). The Gospels show Him largely silent before rulers (Matthew 27:12-14).
Crucifixion Foretold. David sang what soldiers later did. “They pierced my hands and my feet… they part my garments… they cast lots” (Psalm 22:16, 18). John records the casting of lots (John 19:23-24). Even the cry “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” echoes Psalm 22:1 and is heard at Calvary (Matthew 27:46).
Resurrection Promised. “Thou wilt not… suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:10). Peter preaches this of Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:31). “After two days will He revive us… in the third day” hints at rising hope (Hosea 6:2).
Public Signs. The King comes lowly, riding upon an ass (Zechariah 9:9), fulfilled as Jesus entered Jerusalem (Matthew 21:5-9).
Betrayal Price. Thirty pieces of silver foretold (Zechariah 11:12-13), fulfilled in Judas and even in the field purchased (Matthew 26:14-16; 27:9-10).
Question for the heart: If God stitched these threads across centuries without dropping a single stitch, will He fail you now? Praise the Lord, He will not.
Types and Shadows: God’s Preview Of Christ
Passover Lamb. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13). Christ is our Passover sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7). The lamb had to be without blemish (Exodus 12:5). Jesus is the spotless Lamb (1 Peter 1:19).
Joseph. Betrayed, “sold,” yet exalted to save many. David sang of betrayal by a friend (Psalm 41:9). Joseph testifies, “Ye thought evil… but God meant it unto good” (Genesis 50:20). In Jesus’ cross we see the same holy reversal.
David the Shepherd-King. A man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14). God promised an everlasting throne (2 Samuel 7:16). Jesus, the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11), is that everlasting King.
The Sacrificial System. Those repeated offerings were a shadow that could not perfect the conscience (Hebrews 10:1-4). Christ came and by one offering sanctified us once for all (Hebrews 10:10).
Adam and the Serpent Bronze Sign. Jesus is the last Adam bringing life (1 Corinthians 15:45). As Moses lifted up the bronze serpent for healing (Numbers 21:8-9), so the Son of Man must be lifted up that believers might have life (John 3:14-15).
Friends, do you see the mercy in these previews? God taught our eyes how to recognize Jesus before He arrived. Praise be to God.
Patterns That Preach: The Golden Thread Through History
Deliverance Pattern. At the Red Sea, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:14). In Christ, God fought sin and death for us. The Exodus foreshadows our salvation journey.
Prophet, Priest, King in One Person. The Word made flesh speaks God’s heart (John 1:14). Our Great High Priest lives to make intercession and offered Himself, not goats or bulls (Hebrews 7:25-27). The Son of David reigns forever (Luke 1:32-33).
Covenant Fulfillment. In Abraham’s seed all nations are blessed (Genesis 22:18). The New Covenant promised a law on the heart and full forgiveness (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Jesus said, “This cup is the new testament in My blood” (Luke 22:20).
From Shadow to Substance. “Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ” (Colossians 2:17). Even the Temple pointed to Him who said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” speaking of His body (John 2:19-21).
So, brethren, what is left to fear? The pattern is faithfulness. Thankyou Lord.
Living Pictures: Metaphors That Meet Our Daily Needs
Light. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). “The light shineth in darkness” and darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5).
When your path feels dim, open the Word that is a lamp unto my feet (Psalm 119:105) and let God shine in your heart the knowledge of His glory in Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Shepherd. God gently leads His flock (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus is the good Shepherd who lays down His life and knows His own (John 10:11, 12-15). You are secure, “neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand… My Father… is greater than all” (John 10:28-29).
Living Water and Bread. Water from the rock (Exodus 17:6) and manna from heaven (Exodus 16:4) pictured Christ. Paul says that Rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). Jesus offers living water that springs up to everlasting life (John 4:10-14), and says, “I am the bread of life… shall never hunger… never thirst” (John 6:35).
Rock and Cornerstone. The LORD is my rock (Psalm 18:2). The stone the builders refused became the head of the corner (Psalm 118:22), which Jesus applies to Himself (Matthew 21:42). Build on His sayings and you are the wise man whose house stands in the storm (Matthew 7:24-25).
Friends, these are not mere metaphors. They are promises in pictures for weary souls. Praise the Lord.
What Fulfilled Prophecy Demands Of Us Today
Trust His Timing. He came at the perfect hour (Galatians 4:4). He will not abandon you, for He said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Even in mystery, He works all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
Search the Scriptures. Jesus says, “Search the scriptures… they… testify of Me” (John 5:39). Ask the Spirit to make your heart burn again like Emmaus road saints (Luke 24:32).
Rest in Sovereignty. The cross happened by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:23). Your days are seen and held, like David’s confession in Psalm 139:16.
Share the Hope. The apostles reasoned out of the scriptures to show Jesus is the Christ (Acts 17:2-3). Tell it. Show it. Live it.
Lift Your Eyes. Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). The word of our God shall stand for ever (Isaiah 40:8). With God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). He will come again as promised, “I will… receive you unto Myself” (John 14:3).
Let the joy of the LORD be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10), because the Word was God (John 1:1), the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), and Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
A Pastoral Charge: Warnings, Invitations, Decisions
Warning. Do not treat fulfilled promises as trivia. Prophecy believed saves; prophecy ignored hardens.
Invitation. Friends, come to the Shepherd. Drink the living water. Feed on the bread of life. Stand on the Rock.
Decision. Will you trust the Christ who fulfilled Scripture to carry you through yours?
Brethren, respond. Say with faith, “Praise the Lord. Thankyou Lord. Praise be to God.” Open your Bible. Circle the references. Pray them back to the Father. Walk them out this week.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Immanuel, Son of David, Lamb of God, we adore You. You fulfilled Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Psalm 16:10; Zechariah 9:9; Zechariah 11:12-13, and every other promise the Father spoke.
Shine Your light in our darkness (Isaiah 9:2; John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:6). Shepherd our souls (John 10:11-15, 28-29). Satisfy our hearts with living water and bread (John 4:10-14; John 6:35). Set our feet on the Rock (Psalm 18:2; Matthew 7:24-25).
Teach us to trust Your timing (Galatians 4:4), rest in Your nearness (Hebrews 13:5), and work for Your glory as we wait in hope (Romans 8:28; John 14:3). Amen.
Next Steps For Your Study
- Mark Every Reference. Copy the list below into your journal and note how each finds its answer in Jesus: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23; Micah 5:2; 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Matthew 1; Luke 3; Matthew 20:30; Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 11:4-5; Isaiah 53:3, 5, 7, 6; Matthew 27:12-14; Psalm 22:1, 16, 18; John 19:23-24; Matthew 27:46; Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31; Hosea 6:2; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5-9; Zechariah 11:12-13; Matthew 26:14-16; Matthew 27:9-10; Exodus 12:13; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 12:5; 1 Peter 1:19; Psalm 41:9; Genesis 50:20; John 10:11; 1 Samuel 13:14; 2 Samuel 7:16; Hebrews 10:1-4; Hebrews 10:10; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Numbers 21:8-9; John 3:14-15; Exodus 14:14; John 1:14; Hebrews 7:25-27; Luke 1:32-33; Genesis 22:18; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:20; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Colossians 2:17; John 2:19-21; Isaiah 9:2; John 8:12; John 1:5; Psalm 119:105; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Isaiah 40:11; John 10:12-15; John 10:28-29; Exodus 17:6; Exodus 16:4; 1 Corinthians 10:4; John 4:10-14; John 6:35; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42; Matthew 7:24-25; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 13:5; Romans 8:28; John 5:39; Luke 24:32; Acts 2:23; Psalm 139:16; Acts 17:2-3; John 8:58; Isaiah 40:8; Luke 1:37; John 14:3; Nehemiah 8:10; John 1:1; Revelation 13:8; Hebrews 13:8.
- Pray The Promises Aloud. Speak Scripture back to God this week. Let it shape your choices.
- Encourage Another Believer. Share one fulfilled prophecy in a text or call. Build someone’s faith today.
Final Word: The Bible’s scarlet thread holds fast because Christ holds fast. He was yesterday foretold, today alive, and forever faithful. Praise the Lord.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
