Jesus:
The Supernatural Prophesied Messiah?
A Fresh Look at Messianic Prophecies
Clicking on one will take you to the footnote relevant to that part of the text. The narrative opens with Thomas disputing the disciple’s claims that Jesus had risen from the dead. If you want to go straight to where it discusses Old Testament pointers to Jesus’ death and resurrection, click here.
‘I’m telling you, Jesus is dead. D-E-A-D,’ he spelled out, ‘and dead men stay dead.’
‘Oh, Thomas, you’re not still going on about this are you?’
‘Yes, I’m going on about it! It’s a full week
‘Thomas, these eyes saw him,’ said Matthew, pointing to his eyes. ‘With my own ears I heard him as we spoke with him for perhaps thirty unforgettable minutes!’
‘Oh, sure! He walked right through a locked door!’
‘That’s a breeze compared to opening that tomb from the inside. No human could do that.’
Thomas looked at Matthew hopefully. ‘Now you’re talking, taxman! At last you agree that we’re talking impossibilities here. I tell you, I was really worried about you!’
‘Thomas! The body’s gone – despite all those guards.
Another man spoke, ‘And the grave clothes were removed and left behind, neatly bundled up.
‘We’ve seen him, Tom,’ said another, ‘and we spoke with him – in this very room.’
‘An apparition – a vision!’ Thomas snapped back.
‘We all simultaneously had the same hallucination?’ asked Matthew incredulously.
‘Well . . . . mass hysteria!’
One of them, chest out, moved closer to Thomas, ‘Oh, I’m emotionally unstable am I!’ His voice was raised. ‘I’m a blubbering nut-case?’
Thomas, seemed a little nervous about this man’s aggression. ‘Well, not exactly hysteria, James – sort of auto-suggestion.’
James, prodding Thomas on the chest with his finger, said, ‘I’ve got a suggestion for you, egghead!’
Was James one of the ‘Sons of Thunder’? I wondered.
‘Cool it, James,’ ordered Matthew, ‘it does sound incredible.’ A few moments later he added, ‘But Thomas, it’s not just us who saw Jesus, the women –’
‘Women! Those emotional wrecks couldn’t see for tears!’
One of the women, hands on hips, moved closer, and in a sarcastic, indignant tone said, ‘Well, thank you!’
‘They touched him, Tom.’ Matthew was calm. ‘They held his feet.’
‘Yeah? Did you touch him?’
‘N . . . no – but I saw his wounds.’
‘He breathed on me,’ said another.
Matthew’s eyes lit up. ‘Yes, that’s right. I felt his breath. He told us about God’s Spirit and breathed on us.
‘What about when he walked with Cleopas and his wife to their house in Emmaus?’ the woman said.
‘Sure! Walked seven miles on feet that had had nails
A couple of the people groaned. Matthew shook his head. ‘But Jesus is healed,’ said another. ‘He’s risen!
‘Rubbish!’ said Thomas.
‘Jesus broke bread with them,’
‘And he ate with us,’
‘Look, you can talk till you’re blue in the face –’
Matthew, looking around the room, said, ‘Where’s Peter? He’s unusually quiet!’ He beckoned to the burly man, ‘Hey, mouth!’ When Peter came close, Matthew put his hand on Peter’s shoulder. ‘Set this guy straight, will ya? Explain the new understanding of the Scriptures Jesus has given us.’
‘Hey, before you do,’ said a man, ‘new thoughts have been spinning round my head lately. Can I try them out on Thommo?’
‘Go for it, John!’ said Peter.
‘The way I see it, the whole sacrificial system instituted by God has death and resurrection built into it.’
‘Eh?’ said Thomas.
‘Well, take the Day of Atonement,’
‘Then there’s the ceremonial cleansing of a leper. Two clean birds are taken. One dies and its blood is poured out. The living bird is dipped in this blood and then released, bearing the marks of recent death upon its wings.
Thomas looked at Matthew. ‘What’s he raving about?’
‘The sacrificial system foreshadows Jesus because Jesus is the final – the ultimate – sacrifice.’ said Peter.
‘How dare . . .’ Thomas was getting flustered, ‘that’s blasphemy! Human sacrifice! Scripture categorically forbids it. It’s an abomination to God!’
‘That’s because anything worthy of sacrifice must be without blemish. Except for Jesus,
‘A normal human sacrifice! I can’t believe I’m hearing this! Ghost stories are one thing, now you’re talking like pagans!’
‘For centuries God has been preparing his people for this event. Scripture over and over shows that human sacrifice is a concept close to the heart of God,’ continued Peter.
‘Oh, come on!’
‘Who asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac? Satan? Pagans? It was God’s idea.’
‘You can’t bring that up! The Lord planned all along to stop Abraham from going through with it. He intervened and Isaac lived.’
‘And after Jesus’ death,’ said Peter, ‘God intervened and Jesus lives.’
‘Oh!’ uttered Thomas in disgust, or maybe frustration.
‘You can squirm as much as you like, Thomas, that whole episode was initiated by God. Isaac was God’s chosen through whom all the nations of the world would be blessed.
‘You’re out of your mind!’ protested Thomas! ‘Next you’ll be claiming that Joseph was dead in his father’s eyes and then symbolically came back to life!’
‘Well – er um – that was different!’
Thomas looked smug.
‘But Joseph’s father really did think he was dead, Pete,’
‘And, like Jesus, Joseph was the beloved son,’
‘And, like Jesus, Joseph ended up ruler and savior of Egypt and saved Israel and other nations,
‘Oh, man! I was pointing out how crazy you are seeing death and resurrection everywhere!’
‘Well, like it or not, it’s there in the Word of God, isn’t it? said John. ‘And what’s circumcision if it isn’t the shedding of human blood to seal a divine covenant?’
‘This principle is woven into the very fabric of creation,’ added one of the women. ‘Our Creator made us so that the binding covenant of marriage is sealed through the shedding of virgin blood.’
‘And the new covenant the Master spoke about during the supper we had just a few days ago could only be sealed by the shedding of innocent human blood,’ said Matthew.
‘What about God’s ruling on anyone guilty of manslaughter?’ Peter asked. ‘They are confined to the city of refuge, unable to leave year after year, until the high priest dies. Nothing but the physical death of the high priest can secure their pardon.’
‘And Jesus is our high priest, whose death –’ the woman began.
‘You’ve flipped!’ said Thomas. The woman fumed.
‘What about in Elisha’s day when Moab was attacked.’ Peter clearly loved telling a good story. He quickly had everyone’s attention and loved it. ‘The king of Moab knew there was no escape. He was surrounded, hopelessly outnumbered and the invading army was closing in for the kill. In desperation that pagan king grabbed his firstborn son,’ Peter seized one of the disciples and acted it out, ‘and slaughtered the lad before the eyes of the enemy, then used that boy’s carcass as a sacrificial offering. Suddenly, all the invading soldiers lost interest in fighting and left in peace. The Moabites were saved.’
Thomas retorted, ‘The army withdrew in disgust, horrified at such a godless act.’
‘Maybe so, but it worked. Countless lives were saved because of a ritual human sacrifice.’
‘Oh . . !’ said Thomas, with obvious disgust.
‘Haven’t you ever puzzled over why the Lord recorded that incident in holy Scripture? Was it because he planned to one day sacrifice his own Son so that multitudes would be saved?
‘And remember how Jesus spoke about the sign of Jonah and applied it to himself. When Jonah was in the fish’s belly, Scripture speaks of him being in the realm of the dead, and after three days he emerged alive and because of that thousands of people were saved from God’s judgment.
‘And then there’s Isaiah’s ‘Man of Sorrows,’
‘That’s referring to our nation!’ protested Thomas.
Others groaned. Some shook their heads. ‘But it says this ‘Man of Sorrows’ was righteous!’
‘Isaiah said there was no deceit in him,’ said another.
‘Israel wasn’t innocent!’ added the first.
‘Even if Isaiah were referring to Israel,’ continued Peter, ‘– surprisingly innocent Israel – it’s still human suffering and death as an offering for sin.’
‘And the ‘Man of Sorrows’ really dies!’ said John. ‘Isaiah says he was cut off out of the land of the living. He poured out his soul unto death.
‘If that’s not death and resurrection of a sinless human for the forgiveness and salvation of God’s people, I don’t know what it is!’
‘Yes, Tom, explain that!’ said James.
‘And what about that Psalm that begins “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
‘Exactly!’ Thomas looked as if he was about to score a point. ‘Each of us had such high hopes about Jesus and now they’ve all come crashing down. As gut-wrenching as it is, we have to face reality.’
‘Tom!’ Peter’s voice was raised. ‘You’ve forgotten the rest of the psalm. Yes, it starts off disastrously and gets even worse.’ Peter was calmer now. ‘God has answered others, but not him. He feels like a worm – not even human. He’s scorned, mocked, insulted and despised by people who surround him like bulls. All his bones stick out and are out of joint. His strength is dried up. He’s consumed by thirst. He’s in the dust of death. His hands and feet are pierced. They divide his clothes by casting lots.
‘Lots of psalms end triumphantly!’ protested Thomas.
‘Yes, because ultimately, God wins!’ Peter was getting excited.
‘But not by raising dead prophets back to life!’ declared Thomas. ‘Have you forgotten that psalm of David where he declares God won’t let his body decay?
‘But what if, under the inspiration of the Spirit, David was speaking not of himself but prophesying about his holy descendant, Jesus?
‘Ah! I’ve had all I can stomach, Rockhead!
One of the women raised her voice, ‘Thomas Didymus, you’re stubborn, conceited –’
‘And have the brains of a mud brick!’ added John.
The others cheered.
James, with his thumb and index finger close together, put them under Thomas’s nose. ‘And you’ve been about this close to having your head –’
‘James!’ chided one of the women.
‘How could the death of animals remove our guilt?’ asked Peter.
The others cheered and clapped. ‘Good on ya, Rock!’
‘You tell him, mouth!’ said another.
‘What’s happened to you lately? pleaded Thomas, scanning faces, hoping for a some sort of support. ‘We used to be able to talk. Now you’ve suddenly become know-alls.’ There was silence for a few moments. ‘Look, you’ve been under a lot of stress, you had your hopes –’
‘So we’re all grief-stricken fools then?’ said James. ‘We’ve cracked? Is that it?’
‘We can’t tell the difference between a ghost and a real person?’ added another.
‘Or in three days we forgot what Jesus looks like, and confused him with someone else – someone who not only looks exactly like him and has his voice, but someone with his wisdom and gentleness and mannerisms?’ said Matthew.
Peter said, ‘Or we’d been on a drinking binge when we thought we saw Jesus?’
‘Yeah, Thommo,’ James was getting worked up again, ‘just what are you accusing us of?’
‘Look! I told you before and I’ll tell you again: unless I hold him with these arms, put my finger in the holes in his hands and put this fist in his wounded side, I’ll never believe!’
Suddenly, Jesus was in the room.
Most of the rest were as wide-eyed as me, staring straight at Jesus. A couple motioned to some others, speechlessly drawing the attention of those who had not been quite looking in Jesus’ direction. Thomas, mystified by their behavior, turned to see what everyone was staring at. For a long couple of seconds he was expressionless. Then, reaching over, he gingerly touched Jesus.
‘It’s . . .’ But that is all he could get out. He fell in worship at Jesus’ feet. The others giggled.
‘Thomas,’ Jesus placed his hands in front of Thomas’s face, ‘put your finger in these holes. Put your hand in my side.’
‘Jesus, my Lord and God!’ gasped Thomas.
There was a reverent awe for several minutes, then Jesus, a big grin on his face said, ‘Let’s have something to eat!’
Everyone suddenly came alive. Some laughed. Some cheered. Some come up to Jesus and joyfully embraced him. Some shook his hand. Others slapped his back.
Jesus took some food, had a bite and with the remainder still in hand said, ‘You’ve heard my teaching. You’ve seen my miracles. You’re witnesses to my victory over death. I now appoint you to go to the ends of the earth, telling everyone, so that they, too, may believe and have eternal life.’
The room was stuffy, smelly and dingy. It was crammed with people.since you claim you last saw Jesus. Isn’t it about time you all came to your senses? And especially you, taxman. John floats around with his head in the clouds and Peter’s got a mouth big enough to swallow anything, but I expected more of you, Matthew. I always thought of you as a hard-nosed facts and figures man, and here I am, still waiting for you to ditch your ghost story and snap back to reality.’ How – and why – would anyone steal his body?’ Who in their right mind would take such care – with the guards there and everything?’ Part of me wanted to rush off and bury myself in a Bible for a few moments to find out, but I was too enthralled to dare blink an eyelid, much less look in a book, even if I had one. Hallucinations don’t breathe.’driven right through them!’said the woman.added Matthew. continued John. ‘Two goats are chosen. They’re innocent. They have done nothing to contribute to human sin, yet one is slaughtered for our sin and afterward the other is presented alive before the Lord for our atonement. We need a substitute who will die in our place, but after that sacrificial death we need a living substitute to complete our cleansing from sin.’
Is it just me? That sounds like death and resurrection to me. And only after both the death of the bird and the release of the living one can the now-cleansed leper join God’s people.’ all humans are defiled by sin and so their sacrifice would be a senseless waste of human life and an insult to the holiness of God. But Jesus was unlike any other human – perfectly sinless. A normal human sacrifice –’ He inherited God’s promise to Abraham that people would be blessed or cursed, depending on whether they blessed or cursed him. In Abraham’s mind Isaac was already as good as dead when he set off on his divinely led journey to sacrifice his son and it was not until three days later God delivered Isaac back to him – three days , Thommo – just like Jesus was dead three days before resurrecting. And Isaac even carried the wood for the sacrifice like Jesus carried his cross. Matthew looked puzzled, ‘and in his eyes it really was as if he’d returned from the dead.’ His voice trailed off. chimed in John. ‘And he was rejected and shamefully treated by his brothers, like Jesus was rejected by most of his brethren.’ mused Peter. ‘Maybe this is more than a coincidence . . .’ Peter was becoming animated again. ‘Thanks, Thommo, I think you’re on to something!’ That’s just like Jesus rising from grave after three days and saving from God’s judgment all who believe in him. wounded for our transgressions; made an offering for sin.’ said one. He made a grave with the wicked, it says, and with the rich in his death. But then it says he shall prolong his days. added Peter. Who’d ever have thought those words would apply to Jesus and yet they’re the very words he uttered on the cross. Didn’t all this happen to Jesus?’ Then Peter’s voice dramatically raised, ‘But the Psalm ends triumphantly!’ David’s body did end up decaying – we’ve both seen his tomb! And then there’s that marvelous Scripture –’ said Peter. Scripture calls human sacrifice an abomination and that’s the end of the matter.’ ‘Sure we desperately need a substitute, but it’s humanity that’s sinned. It’s humanity that faces the death penalty. And no-one who himself is under the death-sentence could bear the penalty for someone else. Earth needs a sinlessly holy human willing to trade places with sinners. How could anyone or anything be an effective intermediary between God and man except Jesus, the sinless sacrifice?’ said one. There was no sound or movement; no opening of doors or crashing through walls; no gradual materialization. One moment that part of the room was empty; the next blink Jesus was there. My heart pounded in shock, and yet there was something about it that seemed almost natural. Maybe it was my flitting from place to place – all over the universe for all I know – that created this sense of it being natural for someone to suddenly appear. Thomas had been standing fairly close to the wall, facing inward, in eye contact with the others. Jesus had appeared behind, and just to the right of him. Thomas continued talking, oblivious to what had just happened. ‘I’m not into distorting the holy Word of God. I’m not into superstition. I’m not into emotionalism. I’m not into making a fool of myself –’
Bodily Resurrection of Jesus: Fact or Fiction
When Christianity Meets Paganism
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Find the Meaning and Purpose of Life
This webpage is adapted from Euphoria: Free Christian Novel
1. Rooms back then were typically dingy:
Luke 15:8 Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp , sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? (Emphasis mine)
Lack of natural lighting suggests poor ventilation and the locked doors would have cut off even more air. The presence of many people would have further blocked light and made the place stuffy and added body odor (especially given the lack of running water for frequent bathing). To compensate for the lack of natural light and for the sake of the guests, there were probably a few lamps burning. Lamps would not have been very effective and would use up some of the oxygen.
The following gives an idea of just how many might have been there:
Acts 1:13-15 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)
Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, he [Jesus] appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time . . .
(Emphasis mine)
John 20:24-25 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”
John 20:26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.
Matthew 10:2-4 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
(Emphasis mine)
John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them . . .
Matthew 27:64-66 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
John 20:6-7 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.
Mark 3:17 James . . . and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)
Luke 9:54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”
Luke 23:55-24:10 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.
John 20:11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb
Matthew 28:8-9 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. . . .“
The account below tells of two of Jesus’ followers, one named Cleopas, who invited Jesus to stay with them. Since the two were living together, they were probably a married couple. Here’s the record of their encounter with Jesus:
Luke 24:13-35 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Luke 24:39-40 “ . . .Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.
Luke 24:30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
Luke 24:35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread
Luke 24:41-43 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
New Understanding of Scripture
Luke 24:27-29,32 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. . . . They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:45-47 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. . . .”
Leviticus 23:27 The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made to the LORD by fire.
Leviticus 16:8 He is to cast lots for the two goats – one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.
One Goat Slaughtered, One Spared
Leviticus 16:9-10 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.
Ceremonial Cleansing of Lepers
Leviticus 14:1-7 The LORD said to Moses, ‘These are the regulations for the diseased person at the time of his ceremonial cleansing, when he is brought to the priest: The priest is to go outside the camp and examine him. If the person has been healed of his infectious skin disease, [leprosy] the priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed. Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over fresh water in a clay pot. He is then to take the live bird and dip it . . . into the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. . . . Then he is to release the live bird in the open fields.
Deuteronomy 12:31 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.
Deuteronomy 18:10,12 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire . . . Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.
Leviticus 18:21 Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 20:2 Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any alien living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the community are to stone him.’
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him [Jesus] who had no sin . . .
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.
1 Kings 8:46 . . . for there is no one who does not sin . . .
Job 9:2 . . . how can a mortal be righteous before God?
Job 15:14 What is man, that he could be pure, or one born of woman, that he could be righteous?
Job 25:4 How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure?
Psalms 130:3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?
Psalms 143:2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.
Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?
Ecclesiastes 7:20 There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.
John 8:46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? . . .
Hebrews 7:26-27 Such a high priest [Jesus] meets our need – one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins . . .
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. . . .
1 John 3:5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.
God Told Abraham to Sacrifice his Son
Genesis 22:2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering . . .”
Genesis 22:10-12 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham! . . . Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. . . .”
Genesis 26:4 I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed
Isaac inheriting Abraham’s Blessing
Abraham’s Blessing:
Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
Genesis 22:16-18 . . . “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
This promise was passed on to Isaac:
Genesis 17:19-21 Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac . . .”
Genesis 21:12 But God said to him, “ . . . it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. . . .”
Because of this, Isaac was able to pass on this blessing to his son Jacob:
Genesis 27:29 May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.
Genesis 22:6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, Isaac, and . . . the two of them went on together . . .
Genesis 22:3-4 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
Joseph’s Father believed his Son was Dead
Genesis 37:33-35 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.” So his father wept for him.
Genesis 42:38 But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. . . .”
Genesis 37:3-4 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.
Rejected & Shamefully Treated by Brothers
Genesis 37:20-27 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe – the richly ornamented robe he was wearing – and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.
Genesis 41:41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
Genesis 41:56-42:2 When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world. When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” (Emphasis mine)
Shedding of Blood by Circumcision
Genesis 17:11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.
Exodus 4:25-26 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. So the LORD let him alone. (At that time she said "bridegroom of blood," referring to circumcision.)
(Emphasis mine)
Deuteronomy 22:17 “ . . . Now he has slandered her and said, ‘I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.’ But here is the proof of my daughter’s virginity.” Then her parents shall display the cloth before the elders of the town [This refers to the blood-stained cloth associated with loss of virginity on the wedding night.]
Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper (Jesus) took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Confined to City of Refuge Until Death of the High Priest
Numbers 35:22-25 But if without hostility someone suddenly . . . kill him, and he dies, then since he was not his enemy and he did not intend to harm him . . . The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send him back to the city of refuge to which he fled. He must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
King of Moab Sacrificed his Son
2 Kings 3:27 Then he took his firstborn son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him as a sacrifice on the city wall. The fury against Israel was great; they withdrew and returned to their own land.
Jonah 2:1-2,10 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. . . .” And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
(Emphasis mine) Back to Text
Jonah 1:17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2:5,10 The Ninevites believed God. . . . When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Wounded for our Transgressions
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering . . . he will bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:9 . . . nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Isaiah 53:8,10-11 . . . for the transgression of my people he was stricken. . . . the LORD makes his life a guilt offering . . . he will bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:8 . . . And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living . . .
Isaiah 53:12 . . . he poured out his life unto death,
Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence
Isaiah 53:10 though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will . . . prolong his days
Psalm 22:1 . . . My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? . . .
Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” – which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
The Psalmist Describing Jesus’ Suffering
Psalm 22:5-18 They cried to you and were saved . . . But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” . . . trouble is near and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. . . . My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
Matthew 27:29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. . . . Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
John 19:23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” So this is what the soldiers did. . . . Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
Acts 2:23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. (Emphasis mine)
Psalm 22:22 I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. . . . For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly . . . All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. . . . They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn – for he has done it.
Psalms 16:10 . . . you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
Acts 2:29 Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.
Prophesying About David’s Descendant (the Messiah)
Acts 2:25,27,30-31 David said about him: “ . . . you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. . . .” But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.
Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock . . .
Mark 3:16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter [meaning stone or rock])
Animal Sacrifice is Not Enough
Hebrews 10:4 . . . it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock . . .
Mark 3:16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter [meaning stone or rock])
Suddenly, Jesus was in the Room
John 20:26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
Put Your Finger in These Holes
John 20: Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
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