Promises Unbroken: Jesus & His Prophecies

SLIDE: Scripture Exodus 12:46

Exodus 12:46 (NLT)

46 Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones.

SLIDE: Title

Introduction

Last week I said that Jesus had His legs broken on the cross. I was mistaken when I said that., and I knew better but the words came out wrong. It tells us clearly in John 19:36 this is not the case.

John 19:36 (NLT)

36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,”

Generally, when the Roman’s crucified someone they also broken the person’s legs. By breaking the legs it shorted the time it takes for the crucified person to die. This did not happen in Jesus’ case. Exodus 12:46 tells us that the Passover Lamb (which is what Jesus becomes for us) cannot have ANY of its bones broken. and again in Psalm 34:20 we see:

Psalm 34:20 (NLT)

20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!

At any rate, I wanted to be sure you heard the truth and not misspoken words. And while we are at it let’s take a look at how important the prophecies about Jesus are.

A Statistical Improbability

There are more than 300 Old Testament prophetic Scriptures fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. Circumstances such as his birthplace, lineage, and method of execution were beyond Christ's control; there is no way He could have accidentally or deliberately fulfilled them.

In the book Science Speaks, Peter Stoner and Robert Newman discuss the statistical improbability of one man accidentally or deliberately fulfilling just even eight prophecies Jesus fulfilled. The chance of this happening, they say, is 1 in 1017 (that’s a 1 followed by 17 zeros). Stoner presents a scenario that illustrates the magnitude of such odds:

Suppose that we take 1017 silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would have had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man, from their day to the present time, providing they wrote using their own wisdom.

The mathematical improbability of 300, 47, or even eight prophecies fulfilled in Jesus is evidence and proof of His Messiah-ship.

Main Teaching

Today we are focusing on the detailed manner in which Jesus fulfills prophecies regarding His life, highlighting the impeccable timing and specific events in His crucifixion and resurrection that are inextricably tied to Old Testament scriptures. Understanding these connections reveals the unwavering faithfulness of God to His promises throughout history.

Have you ever noticed how a puzzle piece can seem so insignificant on its own? Yet, when placed correctly, it completes a beautiful picture. In the same way, every detail of Jesus’ life was like a puzzle piece perfectly positioned by God. From His humble beginnings to His ultimate sacrifice, each moment was planned. So, the next time you feel like a minor detail in life's great puzzle, remember—God is working the pieces together in your life too!

Every detail of Jesus’ life was foretold and meticulously fulfilled, signifying that nothing in our lives is outside of God's sovereign plan. It encourages us to recognize God’s hand in our own stories, trusting in His ultimate faithfulness.

The fulfillment of these prophecies in Christ illustrates that He is the cornerstone of God’s redemptive plan. Each prophecy points to His sacrificial role and victorious resurrection, affirming His identity as the Messiah who redeems and restores His creation.

God's promises, as fulfilled in Christ, showcase His perfect faithfulness, assuring us that we can trust Him completely with our past, present, and future regardless of our circumstances.

The Passover Lamb

1. Passover's Perfect Parallel

Exodus 12:46 (NLT)

46 Each Passover lamb must be eaten in one house. Do not carry any of its meat outside, and do not break any of its bones.

Have you ever attended a celebration where there was a secret behind the festivities? Like a surprise party? That’s Passover! The beautiful traditions hold a secret—pointing to Jesus. Just like when you bite into a cake thinking it’s chocolate, but it’s really a rich layer of strawberry! Similarly, the symbolism of Passover hides the sweetness of our Savior. It’s amusing how we often overlook the best part! This reveals that maybe we need to dig deeper into scripture; who knows what delicious truths await us?

Here we hear the Passover lamb's bones were not to be broken—establishing a precedent for Christ's crucifixion where John confirms this prophecy that none of Jesus' bones were broken. This connection emphasizes the depth and meticulousness of God's prophecies and their fulfillment in Christ, illustrating God's unwavering faithfulness. This point challenges us to trust in the detailed care God takes, reassuring us even in our own life's minute struggles.

2. Prophecy's Precise Fulfillment

John 19:36 (NLT)

36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,”

Imagine a watchmaker carefully assembling a timepiece, ensuring that every gear and spring interlocks perfectly. When Jesus died, and the prophecy of not breaking a bone was fulfilled, it was like the final click of a perfectly made watch. It reminds us of God's meticulous design in our lives; even in chaos, He is crafting something grand. We may feel disjointed, but trust that God’s sovereignty guarantees every piece of our story serves a purpose in His divine timepiece, bringing us peace as we wait to see the final design.

The fulfillment of prophecy at Jesus' death indicating that not one of His bones was broken. This point highlights the coordination of prophetic promises and history's unfolding to fulfill God's redemptive plan. This amazing demonstration of God's precision should encourage us to trust His sovereignty over events in our lives, inducing calm strength amid life's unpredictability.

Jesus Preserved

3. Promise of Preservation

Psalm 16:10 (NLT)

10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.

Once, I tried to revive a dying plant that had been neglected for weeks. Despite my best efforts, it looked hopeless. Yet, one rainy day, I noticed tiny green shoots peeking through the soil. It reminded me of how, in our spiritual lives, God can bring forth new growth from the most desolate heart. Sometimes, we just need to let rain—the Spirit—nourish our dryness.

The prophetic assurance found in David's psalm—that God's Holy One would not see decay. Jesus' resurrection showed this promise fulfilled literally. It reveals that God's hand resided even in overcoming death itself, accentuating our hope in eternal life. This reflection reinforces our confidence in God's ability to bring life out of seeming hopelessness.

4. Proof of Promise Kept

Matthew 28:6 (NLT)

6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

Imagine a cat that refuses to jump off the second step, fearful of falling. One day, its adventurous friend—a dog—jumps down and lands safely. The cat, emboldened by witnessing this, takes the leap and realizes it’s not as scary as it seemed! Similarly, the resurrection is our dog friend encouraging us to step off the ledge of fear and embrace life boldly, knowing God’s victory over death assures us He will lead us to triumph over any challenges we face.

Let’s focus on the announcement of Jesus' resurrection, which underscores the prophecy in Psalm 16. By rising from the dead, Jesus ratified every Old Testament promise and opened a path of hope and salvation. This fulfillment should embolden us to live with bold certainty, knowing that God who defeated death will also lead them to triumph over our issues.

Conclusion

In 1969, people watched in awe as Neil Armstrong became the first human on the moon —something many had only dreamed of. Space programs had been setting benchmarks for years, filled with predictions and possibilities. This monumental achievement came after years of prophecies and goals being fulfilled, just like in our faith where prophecies bring us comfort when we witness God’s plans unfolding in our lives, reminding us that dreams can and do come true, sometimes in the least expected ways!

By reflecting on these fulfilled prophecies, we can find comfort and reassurance in our own lives, knowing that just as God fulfilled His promises in the past, He will continue to honor His commitments to us. This should give us strength to face current challenges and inspire hope for the future.