Lesson Eight: FULFILLING OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES
The evidence continues to mount concerning the divinity of Jesus. This week, we are studying some relevant prophecies in the Scriptures that clearly reveal Jesus as the promised Messiah and examine details of how they were fulfilled precisely. We are also looking at why some people continued to reject Him despite all the powerful reasons not to do so.
Memory text: John 5:36 NKJV – But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish – the very works that I do – bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.
SABBATH: All through the book of John, we see that all the things that Jesus did and said revealed that indeed the Messiah and Christ had come to Israel, born as a Jew in Bethlehem, just as the Scriptures had predicted. Despite all this, and the fact that this world was made through Him, people did not know Him as much as the Old Testament Scriptures pointed to Him.
(READ John 1:10)
SUNDAY: Signs and wonders could also be performed by some false prophets, that is why, John specifically records the signs that had the unique character of pointing to Jesus as the Messiah and not only as a great miracle worker. The signs that Jesus did are proof that His Father sent Him and that He has a close working relationship with Him. Jesus not only claimed to be the Messiah by word, but He went on to point to the works He had done, and unfortunately, some people still chose not to believe in Him.
(READ John 5:17,20,36-38; 10:24&25,38; 14:10&11)
MONDAY: In addition to the specific signs that point to Jesus as the Messiah, John makes the Old Testament Scripture central in having authority and its prophecies foretelling about Christ and giving justification of who He is, what He did, where He came from and what He will do. In reference to Numbers 21:5-9, Jesus shows that this story is real and He uses it to point to Himself and it also reveals what He must do. Aside John and Jesus, Philip uses the quotations of Moses in the Old Testament, to refer to Jesus as the Messiah as well.
(READ John 5:39&40,46&47, John 3:14; 1:45; 13:18; 17:12; 19:24,28,36)
TUESDAY: As Jesus discussed with the religious leaders about His identity, He saw it necessary to emphasise the authority of the Scriptures in order to show who He was, no matter how hard their hearts were and no matter how much they tried to fight conviction. All new Testament writers, by the power of the Holy Spirit, stressed about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Jesus’ disciples, acknowledged His prophetic words as true after His resurrection.
(READ John 1:23; 2:16,22; 7:38; 19:36; Isaiah 40:3, Psalms 69:9, Jeremiah 2:13, Numbers 9:12)
WEDNESDAY: There is no doubt that the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ were predicted in the Old Testament Scriptures, all giving sufficient evidence of His identity as the Messiah. All this is in order that we may believe in Him and accept the Salvation that He offers. Furthermore, Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, betrayal and crucifixion all have their prophecies in the Old Testament Scriptures, showing more of the Old Testament Scriptures having authority.
(READ John 5:39; 12:13-15; 13:18; 19:37; Psalms 118:26; 41:9 ; Zechariah 9:9; 12:10; 13:6)
THURSDAY: Despite the overwhelming evidence of Jesus as the Messiah, many religious leaders were Jesus’ greatest enemies. They were so consumed by their own traditions and philosophies that were teachings of this world, in that they failed to recognise Jesus despite of what He said and did, and above all, the powerful revelations of God, His Father. They had a form of godliness but were filled with inward disbelief. Despite their bad leadership, many Jews were able to get beyond them and see for themselves who Jesus was, and believed in Jesus.
(READ John 8:12-30; 2Timothy 3:5, Mark 7:7)
FRIDAY: God does not conceal His truth from men. It is by their actions that they make it obscure to themselves. Christ gave the Jews abundant evidence that He was the Messiah, but since His teaching called for a decided change in their lives, since it required a sacrifice to receive changeless eternal truth, they refused to be convinced and thus rejecting the testimony in Christ’s life and character.
(READ “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled” in The Desire of Ages pp 662-680)
CAPTIONS:
- SUNDAY: Signs, works, and wonders.
- MONDAY: The authoritative role of Scripture
- TUESDAY: Old Testament prophecies about Jesus: part 1
- WEDNESDAY: Old Testament prophesies about Jesus: part 2
- THURSDAY: From beneath
- FRIDAY: Further thought
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- How do the prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ life build faith?
- What are the three or four major obstacles that stood in the way of the religious leaders’ believing in Jesus? How are these same principles manifested today, as well?
- Take a personal inventory of where your confidence resides today. What steps do you think can strengthen your faith?
- What does it mean to have a “from beneath” mentality? Do we sometimes drift into that way of thinking? If so, how?
