Did you know that nearly half of Americans believe that the bible is the inspired word of God but roughly 30% believe that the bible is actually true? That is staggering and actually frightening. Many have tried to dispute God’s word but it is historical facts and they have been unable to do so.
I have noticed that people will talk about God but many do not want you to talk about Jesus. That is where “religion” gets offensive….at the name of Jesus. The bible is all about God’s love for mankind and His redemptive plan for us through His Son, JESUS. SO, is Jesus fact or fiction? What do you believe?
Let's look at scripture from the old and new testaments that prove Jesus was the Messiah. There are at least 29 Old Testament prophecies speaking of Jesus that are fulfilled in the New Testament. Let's look at a few….
Isaiah 40 tells us that a messenger would come preparing the way of the Lord. We find this fulfilled as John is preaching in the wilderness telling of the coming Messiah and repentance for the forgiveness of sin in Matthew chapter 3.
Isaiah 7 tells us that a sign would be given, a virgin will conceive and bring forth a son and he shall be called Immanuel. Mary is the chosen virgin to bring forth God’s Son. She is visited by and angel and the Holy Spirit comes upon her and she conceives not having ever “known” a man in Matthew 1:23. I do not believe anyone else in history was born of a virgin!
The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 3) of the lineage of David (2 Samuel 7). We see this evidence in Matthew 2 and John 7.
The scriptures say in Isaiah 61 that the Spirit of the Lord would be upon him and Jesus proclaims this in Luke 4 and is evidenced in His daily life.
Jesus himself took our infirmities as prophesied in Isaiah 53 and fulfilled in Matthew 8.
It is prophesied that He would speak in parables in Psalm 78. We see this fulfilled throughout all the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Zechariah speaks of Him riding into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt. This is fulfilled in Jesus entry into Jerusalem in Matthew 21.
Isaiah 53 has many prophecies of his death and every one of them is fulfilled in the accounts of His death in the gospels:
Let like a lamb to the laughter (acting calmly without a fight)
Did not open His mouth against his accusers
He was struck
He submitted himself to death
He was counted among rebels
He prayers for those who transgressed against Him
Psalm 16 speaks of His resurrection and sitting at the right hand of God these were also fulfilled in the gospels account after his death and in Acts 7.
These are just a few of the many prophecies that proves that Jesus was in fact the Messiah, God’s Son that was sent to Earth to redeem us from the curse of the law. Why does it matter? Well, Jesus is the only way that we will get to Father and enter into Heaven. In John 14, Jesus said that He was the way, the truth and the light and NO ONE comes to the Father but by Him. Acts 4 says that there is no other name by which man can be saved but the name of JESUS.
So what do we do? Choose to believe, choose to accept Jesus. We have to acknowledge that we are sinners in need of a Savior. You see His life, death and resurrection were for a reason. It was for us. To make a way for our sins to be forgiven, to make a way to have a better life in HIM, to make a way to live with Him forever in Heaven. Romans 3:23 says we have all sinned and according to Romans 6, the wages of those sins is death. Spiritual death, the worst kind, in HELL. A place not prepared for us but for satan and the angels who were cast out of heaven with him. But Romans 10 says that if we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus (acknowledge who HE is) and believe that God has raised Him from the dead we will be saved. In Acts, Luke tells us to repent (which means to completely turn away from) of our sins so that they may be wiped out and refreshing may come. It really is that simple. We then continue to grow in Him by reading His Word, spending time in prayer and fellowshipping with other believers. Then Holy Spirit brings change needed to our lives.
We will all stand before God and be judged for our lives and whether or not we received Jesus. Those who have accepted Him and live their life for Him will enter into Heaven forever, and those who rejected Him will be cast into hell. This is why it matters. Your eternity is hanging in the balance and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
Call out to Him, He is waiting for you. If you need prayer, contact me. I would love to pray with you.
