Jesus, EPICAL. Did you know?

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”” Luke 2:8-14

Let's just say it: JESUS is Monumental

The Monumental fact of the person of Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, the Lord -- is everything about him! He enters the ‘New Testament’ with a birth announcement like no other; via a genealogy that was foretold from literally several millennia before the birth announcement.  The witness born to HIS birth is unequalled in Biblical history: Angelic notice to shepherds. Thereafter the arrival of the Magi with gifts for the child. [Gold – for HIS royalty; Frankincense for HIS High Priesthood; Myrrh for HIS death. Sometime after HIS birth HIS family is advised to relocate to Egypt to escape the death squads sent by the ruling political member of the Herod family to murder all male children of a certain age in Bethlehem and surrounding areas with the expectation such an order would catch the prophesied Messiah in the massacred babies.

In an awesome development we hear nothing about HIM except that the family was told they could repatriate to their home. Then at age 12, HE remains in Jerusalem at the Synagogue querying the Rabbi’s and astonishing the witnesses there with his understanding and responses while his family travels home only to find HE was not with the family. – Luke 2:46-48

Interestingly, though everything about this would be King, is of a monumental significance. What is less discussed is the absence of details of HIS life during the quiet 18 years between the Synagogue incident and when Jesus approaches HIS cousin John, for baptism. As back story, there is mention that Jesus was raised by HIS mother’s husband, Joseph, who was Jesus father though not biologically related. He was a carpenter and taught Jesus carpentry.

The whole baptism event for Jesus is covered in Matthew and Luke in chapter 3 of each Gospel account. There are baptisms mentioned in the Bible and some of them are specifically mentioned with detail for a reason. But Jesus? Again, Monumental both in presentation of HIMself to John, in an actual water baptism but perhaps more because of what happened when he was raised up out of the water:  a Dove descends and the VOICE from Heaven an acknowledgement from HIS Father. Thus begins the three and a half years of the most influential man of all time. – Luke 3:21-22

In an enduring fashion, after baptism, Jesus leaves immediately into a ‘wilderness’ area where he ate nothing for 40 days. Instead HE was being tempted repeatedly by the devil. Luke 4

The use of the word “Monumental’ is purposely used and not in a superfluous way. There is no human ever born that had so many events of their lives foretold from thousands of years before their birth as well as prophesies fulfilled through HIS life -- compressed into the 3.5 years from HIS baptism to death and resurrection. Nor, to have future events foretold about HIM from just under a thousand years before HIS birth but not yet filled some 2000 years after HIS birth. Yes, there is a collection of prophesies in the gospels and Revelation yet to happen.

Below is a collection [not every foretold event] of Biblical citations of specific events prophesied. There is an ‘Old Testament’ reference [prophesy] and at least one and in some cases, several ‘New Testament’ references to its fulfillment.  These references take us only to Jesus’ resurrection. HE gave a couple of commandments to HIS disciples before HIS ascension; 1] was to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit which Jesus was sending them arrives – which was fulfilled on Pentecost. Acts chapters 1 and 2. The other was a commission to go and make disciples the world over baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and continue doing so until the ‘end of world’. This is still being done in anticipation of the that end. More events foretold to happen are yet to come and no one knows the time of the first one [the Rapture 1 Thess 4: 13-18] but the rest will follow as written: 1]Tribulation; 2]Great Tribulation; 3]Jesus’ second coming; 4]Jesus setting up HIS government to reign 1000 years; 5]The absolute removal of the devil and all other wicked actors and deeds from the experience of any human in their incorruptible body forever; 6]The establishment of New Heaven and New Earth; 7] Eternity.

Prophecy Event Fulfillment
Gen 3:14-15	Enmity between Satan/Jesus – Jesus wins
Gen. 49:10, Matt. 1:2-16; Luke 3:23-33; Heb. 7:14	Born of the tribe of Judah
Ps. 132:11;  Matt. 1:1, 6-16; Isa. 9:7;  Mt 9:27; 15:22; Isa 11:1, 10 Mt 20:30, 31; Mt 21:9, 15; 22:42; Mark 10:47, 48; Luke 1:32; 2:4; Lu 3:23-32; Lu 18:38, 39; Acts 2:29-31; Ac 13:22, 23; Rom. 1:3; 15:8, 12	From the family of David the son of Jesse
Mic. 5:2, Luke 2:4-11; John 7:42	Born in Bethlehem
Isa. 7:14, Matt. 1:18-23; Luke 1:30-35	Born of a virgin
Jer. 31:15, Matt. 2:16-18	Babes killed after Jesus’ birth
Hos. 11:1, Matt. 2:15	Called out of Egypt
Mal. 3:1; 4:5; Matt. 3:1-3; 11:10-14; Isa. 40:3 Mt 17:10-13; Mark 1:2-4; Luke 1:17, 76; 3:3-6; Lu 7:27; John 1:20-23; 3:25-28; Acts 13:24; 19:4	Way Prepared before
Dan. 9:25, Luke 3:1,21,22	Appeared as Messiah Presented himself at end of 69 “weeks” for baptism and was anointed on schedule
Isa. 61:1, 2, Luke 4:18-21	Commissioned as anointed one
Isa. 9:1, 2, Matt. 4:13-16	Ministry caused people in Naphtali and Zebulun to see great light
Ps. 78:2, Matt. 13:11-13, 31-35	Spoke with illustrations
Isa. 53:4, Matt. 8:16, 17	Carried our sicknesses
Ps. 69:9, Matt. 21:12, 13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45, 46; John 2:13-17	Zealous for GOD’s house
Isa. 42:1-4, Matt. 12:14-21	As GOD’s servant would not wrangle in streets
Isa. 53:1, John 12:37, 38; Rom. 10:11, 16	Not believed in
Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:1-9; Ps. 118:26; Mark 11:7-11; Luke 19:28-38; John 12:12-15	Entry into Jerusalem on colt of an ass hailed as king and the one coming in GOD’s name
Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42, 45, 46; Isa 53:3; Acts 3:14; 4:11; Ps. 69:8; 1 Pet. 2:7 Ps 118:22, 23	Rejected, but becomes chief cornerstone
Isa. 8:14, 15  Luke 20:17, 18;  Rom. 9:31-33; 1 Pet. 2:8	Becomes stone of stumbling
Ps. 41:9; 109:8, Matt. 26:47-50; John 13:18, 26-30;  John 17:12; 18:2-5; Acts 1:16-20; Zech. 11:12  30 Matt. 26:15; 27:3-10; Mark 14:10, 11	One apostle unfaithful; betrays Jesus Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver
Zech. 13:7, Matt. 26:31, 56; John 16:32	Disciples scatter
Ps. 2:1, 2, Matt. 27:1, 2; Mark 15:1, 15; Luke 23:10-12; Acts 4:25-28, Isa. 53:8, Matt. 26:57-68; Mt 27:1, 2, 11-26; John 18:12-14, Joh 18:19-24, 28-40; Joh 19:1-16	Roman powers and leaders of Israel act together against anointed of GOD tried and condemned
Ps. 27:12, Matt. 26:59-61; Mark 14:56-59	Use of false witnesses
Isa. 53:7, Matt. 27:12-14; Mark 14:61; 15:4, 5; Luke 23:9; John 19:9	Silent before accusers
Ps. 69:4, Luke 23:13-25; John 15:24, 25; 1 Pet. 2:22; Isa. 50:6; Matt. 26:67; 27:26, 30; Mic. 5:1 John 18:22; 19:3	Hated without cause; Struck, spit on
Ps. 22:16, Matt. 27:35; Mark 15:24, 25; Luke 23:33; John 19:18, 23; John 20:25, 27	Crucified
Ps. 22:18, Matt. 27:35; John 19:23, 24 Isa. 53:12, Matt. 26:55, 56; 27:38; Luke 22:37 Ps. 22:7, 8, Matt. 27:39-43; Mark 15:29-32	Lots cast for garments; Numbered with sinners; Reviled while on cross
Ps. 69:21, Matt. 27:34, 48; Mark 15:23, 36; Ps. 22:1; Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34 Ps. 34:20; John 19:33, 36, Ex. 12:46 Isa. 53:5; Matt. 27:49; Zech. 12:10 John 19:34, 37; Rev. 1:7; Isa. 53:5, 8, Matt. 20:28; Isa 53:11, 12; John 1:29; Rom. 3:24; 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:3; Heb. 9:12-15; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 John 2:2	Offered wine [vinegar]; Forsaken by God to enemies; No bones broken; pierced; Dies sacrificial death to carry away sins and open way to a righteous standing with God
Isa. 53:9, Matt. 27:57-60; John 19:38-42; Jonah 1:17; Matt. 12:39, 40; 16:21; Jon 2:10, Mt 17:23; 20:19; Mt 27:64; Mt 28:1-7; Acts 10:40; 1 Cor. 15:3-8; Ps. 16:8-11; Acts 2:25-31; 13:34-37	Buried with the rich; In grave for parts of days, then resurrected Raised before corruption
Ps. 2:7, Matt. 3:16, 17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21, 22; Acts 13:33; Rom. 1:4; Heb.  1:5; 5:5	GOD declares him His Son by spirit and resurrection

Contemplate the following items attributed via the Bible to Jesus. They are absolutely Monumental in deeds, but in many cases even to the individual receiving the blessing, the healing, etc.

1.      The many miracles HE performed from healing someone without deliberation [from bleeding] to healing without being present [Centurion’s servant] to healing dependent on the recipient’s own faith and of course the resurrection of HIS friend Lazarus.

2.     HIS authority over nature [calming the seas, walking on water – inviting Peter to do so]

3.     Making prophetic statements that would come to past posthumously [temple destroyed]

4.    Reaching out posthumously and making a believer out of Saul

5.     Giving John the Revelation of what was to happen millennia from the time it was uttered.

6.    Living through the most gruesome, undeserved horror of torture, mockery, death by Roman crucible ending with being nailed to wood and erected to die an excruciating death.

7.     Being resurrected

8.    Interacting with his followers for weeks before ascending to Heaven

9.    Letting them know they’d be joined by the Holy Spirit who would become the witnesses about the Gospel…and all those that believed from then until now.

Yet to come:

1.      Rapture

2.     Tribulation

3.     2^nd Coming of the Messiah

4.    A 1000 year rule under the Messiah on Earth

5.     The permanent removal of the Devil and sin.

6.    A new heaven and new earth

7.     Eternity

One monumental human, born a babe. Completed all miracles and His ministry leaving an immutable record for all time ALL compressed into 3 ½ years of time.  After HIS resurrection prophetic statements made within decades after HIS death to John have future fulfillment. Because we know HE fulfilled dozens of Messianic prophesies while alive we know those prophesies HE made will also come to pass.

Remember: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” – 2 Cor 1:20  †

Bibles Designations

KJV – King James Version

NIV – New International Version

NWT – New World Translation

ASV -- American Standard Version

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©Lightwritingmatters 2015