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History: From beginning to end, it's all about Jesus

-by Mark Moring

Go back in time. And imagine this:

You and a friend are walking along a dusty road somewhere near Jerusalem, talking about all the wild things that happened over the weekend. "Can you believe they actually killed him?" you ask.

"Incredible," your friend says. "But did you hear the latest buzz? Some women are saying they actually saw him alive this morning. Can you believe that?"

While you're walking, another guy comes along.

"Whatcha talking about?" he asks.

"Oh, just the things that happened over the weekend," you answer. "Did you hear the rumor that Jesus has come back from the dead? Sounds crazy, doesn't it?"

The new guy just shakes his head and says, "Why is that so hard to believe? Didn't Jesus tell you it would happen?"

Then the guy goes on to tell you everything the Scriptures said about Jesus. Things that were predicted hundreds, even thousands, of years before. Things that had, indeed, come true through Christ's life, death and resurrection.

The guy starts in the book of Genesis and works his way through the Old Testament, telling you about verses like these-and how they came true:

— All peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3). God made this promise to Abraham. Indeed, Jesus was one of Abraham's descendants (Matthew 1:1).
— "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, … out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old … " (Micah 5:2). As predicted, Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4).
— "The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). The virgin, of course, was Mary (Luke 1:26-27).
— "I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me" (Malachi 3:1). This clearly points to John the Baptist (Luke 7:24-27).
— "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things … " (Psalm 78:2). Jesus loved to teach in parables (Matthew 13:34).
— "He was despised and rejected by men … " (Isaiah 53:3). Isaiah got a lot of things right: Jesus was dissed in his own hometown (Luke 4:16-30).
— " … See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt … " (Zechariah 9:9). Not long before his death, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (Mark 11:1-11).
— "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me" (Psalm 41:9). This refers to Judas, who betrayed Jesus (Luke 22:47-48). Another verse predicts exactly how much money Judas will take for the payoff-30 pieces of silver (see Zechariah 11:12 and Matthew 26:15).
— "But he was pierced for our transgressions … and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Score another one for Isaiah: Jesus indeed was pierced-by the nails of crucifixion and by a spear in his side-and died for our sins (Romans 5:8).
— "They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing" (Psalm 22:18). That's just what the Roman soldiers did at the crucifixion (Matthew 27:35).
— " … you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay" (Psalm 16:10). Jesus didn't stay in the grave for long. He came back to life (Mark 16:6-7).

The guy finishes talking. Then you and your friend suddenly realize who he is. It's Jesus, in the flesh, alive and well-just as the Scriptures predicted. And just as Jesus himself had promised.

It's a true story, this walk down a dusty road in the Jerusalem suburbs. (You can read it in Luke 24:13-35).

Of course, the whole story of Jesus is true, as told in the Bible. Not just in the New Testament, but throughout the Old Testament too, where you'll find dozens of predictions that ultimately came true with Jesus.

Yes, the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, tells his story, clearly pointing to Christ.

It's the greatest biography of all time.

Copyright © 1997 by Christianity Today International/CAMPUS LIFE magazine.
March/April 1997. Page 38

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