Biblical prophesy is seen in the Old Testament as a message given by God to a chosen messenger (prophet), who in turn, proclaimed that message to God’s people. Some Old Testament prophets also foretold details about the coming Messiah, the Savior.
We can now look back at prophesies about Jesus’ first coming and marvel at the accuracy of details, written 400–800 years before Jesus’ birth. The specifics of Messianic prophecies (prophecies about Jesus) build our confidence to 1) Trust God’s Word as true and 2) Trust Jesus as our Savior.
3 Biblical Prophecies about Jesus
Old Testament Prophecy
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Fulfillment
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Old Testament Prophecy
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Fulfillment
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
Old Testament Prophecy
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”
Fulfillment
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
We don’t follow a mere man who taught good things. We follow the great I Am, we follow the One prophets foretold would bring salvation to all who will believe. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.
This is who we worship at Christmas.
Reflect
What thoughts come to mind as you read and ponder the above prophecies and fulfillments from Scripture?
What might this reveal about who God is?
How does this truth impact your life or faith?
Pray
Pray about your reflections or you may follow this prayer as a place to start:
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, one and only true God, we worship you. Thank You for the gift of prophecies that were written down hundreds and hundreds of years before the coming of Jesus that can confirm our confidence that Jesus is whom the Bible says He is. He is God with us, our Savior. Lord, please help me (fill in the blank). I also pray for (fill in the blank). I trust You, God and thank You, Lord. Amen.
