The Messiah, Prophecy, and the Psalms

Lord, tho' parted from our sight,
High above yon azure height,
Grant our hearts may thither rise,
Following Thee beyond the skies. -Charles Wesley

Shortly before His ascension, Jesus taught His apostles that in the Psalms were "messianic prophecies" He fulfilled (Luke 24:44). When we realize that the Psalms are filled with messianic prophecies which find their fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth, then we can use the Psalms in two ways:

a. As a book of evidences, confirming our faith in Jesus as the Christ, the promised Messiah.
b. As an additional source of insight into our Lord's suffering and glorious triumph.

Today, it will be my purpose to list some of the many fulfilled prophecies found in Psalms concerning the Messiah, and to stress their value in confirming our faith.

Let's start with "messianic prophecies" in the Psalms fulfilled in Jesus...

The majority of such prophecies have to do with his "passion." These include His rejection by both Jew and Gentile; by the "kings of the earth" (Herod, Pilate, and the Sanhedrin) - Psalm 2:1-3 (cf. Acts 4:23-28); by His own family - Psalm 69:8 (cf. John 7:5).

Then there is the betrayal by His own friend - Psalm 41:9 (cf. Matthew 26:20-25); His silence under rejection and false accusation - Psalm 38:11-14
(cf. Matthew 26:56,58-63; 27:11-14); the insults, buffeting, spitting, and scourging He endured - Psalm 35:15-16 (cf. Matthew 27:26-31).

What especially stands out are the events surrounding His crucifixion. I refer you to the following...

a. His cries upon the cross - Psalm 22:1 (cf. Matthew 27:46)
b. The mocking by enemies - Psalm 22:6-8,12-13 (cf. Matthew 27:39-44)
c. The physical agony - Psalm 22:14-15
d. His side being pierced - Psalm 22:16
e. The casting of lots for His clothing - Psalm 22:17-18 (cf. Matthew 27:35-36)
f. Offer of gall and vinegar - Psalm 69:21 (cf. Matthew 27:34)
g. Not a bone to be broken - Psalm 34:20 (cf. John 19:31-37)
h. His prayer for His enemies - Psalm 109:4 (cf. Luke 23:34)
i. His final words - Psalm 31:5 (cf. Luke 23:46)
j. Death to be in the prime of life - Psalm 89:45
k. Death was to be voluntary - Psalm 40:6-8 (cf. Matthew 26:36-46)

But the Psalms also speak of His "glorious triumph! They speak of...

1. His resurrection from the dead - Ps 16:8-10 (cf. Acts 2:24-31)
2. His ascension into heaven - Psalm 68:18 (cf. Ephesians 4:8-10)
3. His coronation to sit and the right hand of God and to begin His reign - Psalm 110:1-3 (cf. Acts 2:33; 1 Corinthians 15:25-26; Ephesians 1:20-23; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21)
4. His priesthood - Psalm 110:4 (cf. Hebrews 6:19-20; 7:20-28)
5. His judgment of the nations - Psalm 110:5-6 (cf. Revelation 1:5; 2:26-28; 19:11-16)

There are other messianic prophecies found in the Psalms, but these should be enough to illustrate that the Book of Psalms is more than just a book of songs!

To stress the point even more, lets' consider the "value of messianic prophesy," particulary the value of prophecy "in general." God used it to confirm His existence - Isiah 46:9-11. Here, He identifies Himself as the God of prophecy; as one Who is able to declare His plans in advance, and then have the power to bring it about!

God used it to confirm His spokesmen. As such, we know the true prophets by applying the test of fulfilled prophecy - cf. Deuteronomy 18:18-22. Only those moved by the Holy Spirit could accurately foretell the future as God would bring it about - 2 Peter 1:21

Now, let's get back to the value of "messianic prophecy. It helps to identify the One who is truly the Messiah, or God's "Anointed One." The Old Testament (including the Psalms) has approximately 330 prophecies concerning the Messiah. And guess what? Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled every one!

The mathematical probability of it being a "coincidence" is astounding! Consider this, the probability of ANY man who has lived since the beginning of time fulfilling just EIGHT of the prophecies has been calculated as 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000!

The probability of fulfulling just FORTY-EIGHT is one in ten to the 157th power! It would take us 19 million times 19 million times 19 millions years just to count that high!

It is easy to see why the apostles used the Scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ. Paul's custom was to use the prophecies of the Scriptures to demonstrate that Jesus was the Christ - Acts 17:1-3. Peter did the same - Acts 3:18.

Today, we can use the messianic prophecies to convince the Jew that Jesus is their long-awaited Messiah! And, to convince the agnostic and atheist that:

1) There must be an omniscient God
2) The Bible writers were inspired by that God
3) Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of God!

In conclusion, to increase your faith in God, in the Bible, and in Jesus, study the
Psalms! But do this, not only to convince others, but also to confirm your own faith
and the faith of your children - yes, such is the value of the Psalms!

It is certainly a demonstration of the truth expressed by the apostle Paul in Romans 10:17: "So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

Let's pray...

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I realize that as a believer, my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. My acknowledgment of His presence on a daily basis makes my faith in Him effectual. I believe that You, heavenly Father, are leading me and guiding me by the Holy Spirit through my spirit and illuminating my mind. Amen

God loves you!

Jerri