THESIS: To set forth 11 prophecies fulfilled the day Christ died.
INTRO:
A. The blood of the Passover Lamb is now to be shed. The fulfillment of every verbal prophecy inscripturated into God's Word & every picture in typical prophecy was now to take place as the anointed Messiah is crucified.
B. According to Canon Litton, Bible scholar, there are 322 distinct verbal prophecies in the Old Testament fulfilled in Christ (that doesn't include the types or picture prophecies)! He calculated the mathematical probability of the 322 specific prophecies coming to pass in one man was 1 in 84 with 100 zeroes after it! But, they did! He is undoubtedly the Anointed One, the Lamb of God, the longed-for Messiah & God incarnate.
TRANS: Let us look at a few of these prophecies. Every detail of the crucifixion is laden with prophetic import.
I. CHRIST WOULD BE "LED" AWAY - STARTLING!: v. 19a
A.The Picture Finalized: v. 19
1. This was unusual & unique...most victims had to be dragged or driven to crucifixion. 2. You can drive cattle, but not sheep... sheep must be led.
B.The Prophecy Fulfilled: Is. 53:7
1. He was the Lamb to be slain. 2. He went to Golgotha without resistance & "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter."
II. CHRIST WOULD BE TAKEN "IMMEDIATELY" FROM JUDGMENT TO DEATH - LAWBREAKING!:
A.The Picture Finalized:
1. The Law provided a 2-day interval between sentencing & execution.
a. In case of new evidence. b. So the victim could put his affairs in order.
2. Jesus was nailed to the cross within 2 ½ hours after trial.
B.The Prophecy Fulfilled: Is. 53:8
1. "He was taken (to die) from prison & judgment..." 2. From prison, to judgment, to death!
III. CHRIST HAD TO BEAR HIS OWN "WOOD" TO EXECUTION - STRIKING!:
A.The Picture Finalized: v. 17
1. "He, bearing His cross" - usually the cross-piece was carried on the neck or back - the board whitened with black letters detailing the victim's offense.
NOTE: Today, we have many cross-wearers, but not too many cross-bearers! Discipleship demands that the Christian "take up his cross daily & follow Him!"
B. The Prophecy Fulfilled: Gen. 22:6
1. Isaac was to be offered as a sacrifice by his father. 2."Abraham took the wood...& laid it upon Isaac, his son."
IV. CHRIST WOULD DIE "OUTSIDE THE CITY" - EXACTING!:
A.The Picture Finalized: v. 17 "went forth"
1. He, according to Roman law, had to be crucified outside the city limits. 2. Golgotha, the place of a skull, is outside the city.
NOTE: The Jews tried to stone Him in the city, but that would have violated prophecy on several counts.
B.The Prophecy Fulfilled: Ex. 29:14
1. The sin offering had to be killed "without the camp" (S.A. Lev. 4:12; 16:27)
V. CHRIST HAD TO "BE LIFTED UP" - ARRESTING!:
A.The Picture Finalized: v. 18 "they crucified Him"
1. Jesus had to die a Roman death to lift Him up, not a Jewish death of stoning or casting Him down. 2. Thus, the Romans had to be in control at the time of His death.
VI. CHRIST WAS "NAILED" TO THE CROSS - EXCRUCIATING!:
A.The Picture Finalized: Lk. 24:39-40
B.The Prophecy Fulfilled: Ps. 22:14-16
NOTE: The Psalmist who never heard of crucifixion gave a graphic account of this form of capital punishment.
VII. CHRIST WAS HORRIBLY MUTILATED - DISFIGURING!:
A.The Picture Finalized:
1. Flogged, His beard plucked out & smitten. 2. A crown of thorns on His head, His hands, feet & side torn open
B.The Prophecy Fulfilled: Is. 53:2 & 52:14
1. "His visage was so marred more than any man; and his form more than the sons of men." 2. "He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him."
VIII. CHRIST DIES LIKE A COMMON CRIMINAL - DEGRADING!:
A.The Picture Finalized: v. 18 "2 other with Him"
B.The Prophecy Fulfilled: Is. 53:9, 12
1. "He made His grave with the wicked..." 2."He was numbered with the transgressors."
NOTE: Though crucified between 2 thieves, He redeemed one & took him to heaven with Him! Even in this He was the Victor!
IX. CHRIST'S GARMENTS WERE GAMBLED FOR - DISGUSTING!:
A.The Picture Finalized: v. 23, 24
B.The Prophecy Fulfilled: Ps. 22:18
X. CHRIST'S COAT WAS SEAMLESS - INTERESTING!:
A.The Picture Finalized: v. 23
NOTE: This is not the mythical, magical & mystical "robe" of Melvin C. Douglas' novel & Roman Catholic mythology!
B.The Prophecy Fulfilled: Ex. 25:39
1. The coat of the High Priest had to be made of linen without a seam; the symbol of his total consecration. 2. The Latin word for priest is "pontifex" = "bridge-builder" (from God to man)
XI. CHRIST'S WORDS FROM THE CROSS WERE WEIGHTY - ASTOUNDING!:
A.The Picture Finalized:
NOTE: All His "words" from the cross were important; one was an exact quote from Scripture!
B.The Prophecy Fulfilled: Ps. 22:1
CONCL: 💥Some 33 prophecies were fulfilled the day Christ died. If Hollywood wanted to make a film which had impact concerning that day, they should concentrate on these prophecies! 💥So should we...for they are Christ's credentials! We do not exercise "blind faith" but faith based on supernatural prophecy which was fulfilled in the minutest detail. "Believest thou this?!"