To The Reader
Over the next weeks, we will be examining the central and chief theme of the Word of God, Jesus the Christ. As Christians, we understand that the Lord Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, a truth that is made crystal clear in the New Testament. We will be looking at those Old Testament prophecies and glimpses of our Lord, and noting how He fulfills each.
Some today are teaching that we need to lay the Old Testament aside in our presentation of the Gospel. That would be a tragic mistake, and a gross mishandling of God’s Holy Word. One cannot read the writings of the New Testament without noting all of the many references and quotes of the Old Testament Scriptures. They provide for us the evidence, the undeniable proof as to the Person of Jesus Christ, that He is indeed the Messiah that was to come. He has come, and purchased His Church with His own blood that was shed on Calvary.
The theme of the Word of God is the Messiah. Its message is simple; the Messiah is coming, The Messiah has come, The Messiah is coming again. May our Lord help us in grasping this great message of His precious Word.
The Messiah
May 1
Scripture Reading: Matthew 11
The word, “Messiah” is only found twice in your King James Bible. You will find it in Daniel 9, Verses 25 and 26. We will study these verses later, but these are prophecies of the coming of the Lord Jesus in His First Advent, and of His death on the Cross. The word comes from the Hebrew word, “mashiyach” (maw-shee’-akh) which means “anointed.” The root Hebrew word means to rub with oil, that is to anoint. The thought by implication is to consecrate. Thus, the Messiah is the Anointed One.
The message of the New Testament is clear; Jesus Christ is the Messiah. In fact, the word “Christ” is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew word translated “Messiah.” Christ is not the secondary name of Jesus, but is His glorious title as the Messiah. Our Lord Jesus is, therefore, the fulfillment of all the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. When Peter was asked the question, “But whom say ye that I am,” his answer was, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus, the virgin born Son of Mary, is the Christ, the promised Messiah of the Old Testament.
When imprisoned and facing execution, John the Baptist sent some of his followers to ask Jesus the question, “Art thou he that should come, or look we for another?” He was asking Jesus if He was truly the Promised Messiah. The answer was given by demonstration. All of His acts proved beyond question that He was indeed the Messiah that was to come. As we examine the Scriptural teachings on the Messiah, we will be assured beyond question that we are not looking for another, but looking to Him, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord instill this blessed truth in our hearts! Amen!
May 2
Scripture Reading: Genesis 3
A working knowledge of the Book of Genesis is essential in understanding the message of Scripture, and the need for and work of the Messiah. The fall of the human family into sin is recorded in Chapter 3, which came about through simple disobedience to the command of God. This disobedience came as a result of the wiles of the tempter, Satan, who appeared to Eve in the form of a serpent. He beguiled her through maligning the character of her Creator, and by promising her that by partaking of the fruit of the forbidden tree, her eyes would be opened to behold both good and evil. She fell prey to Satan’s temptation, and gave of the fruit of the tree to Adam, thereby condemning all humanity in sin. Paul wrote, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned....” (Romans 5:12) It is in this chapter that we are made to understand the need of salvation for all mankind, and thus the need for Messiah.
The first promise given of the Messiah is found in Genesis 3, Verse 15; “And I will put enmity between thee (the serpent) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” According to this prophecy, the Messiah would be a male Who would be the “seed” of the woman, which denotes a miraculous birth; for “seed” is of man, and not of woman. This “seed” would “bruise” or “overwhelm, break, bruise or cover” the head of the serpent, while having His heal bruised in the process. The Lord Jesus, the Virgin Born Son of God, crushed the head of the serpent, Satan, through His death on Calvary. Therefore, through His death, burial and resurrection, He has offered deliverance from sin to all who believe. Note the following passages: 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 10:9-13.
May 3
Scripture Reading: Genesis 12
In Genesis 3:15, we are introduced to the “Seed,” the One Who would offer deliverance from the power of the serpent through His death on the Cross, and His glorious resurrection. (See Hebrews 2:14-18) Standing in the shame of their sin, with fellowship broken with the Creator that loved them, Adam and Eve were given the message of hope, of redemption and restoration through the promised Seed. This is the beginning of a message that will resonate through the entire revelation that God would give to man, the message of the Messiah; a message of hope for all the descendants of Adam.
In Genesis 12, we learn more details about the Person of the Messiah. The Lord God appeared to Abram (later renamed “Abraham”) while living in Ur of the Chaldees. According to Joshua 24:2, prior to this call, Abram and His people were idolaters. In this call and subsequent covenant between God and Abram, the next revelation of the Messiah is given. In Genesis 12:1-3, we learn that the Messiah, the promised “Seed” of Genesis 3, would come through Abram and his descendants. The Messiah, the One Who would “bruise the head” of the serpent, would be that same “Seed” spoken of to Eve in the Garden of Eden. His would be a miraculous birth, and He would come into this world through the descendants of Abraham. Another revelation is given. Abraham was told that through his “Seed,” all of the families of the earth would be blessed. This lets us know that “Messiah” would not just be a Deliverer for Abraham and his descendants, but for all. The Lord Jesus, Who is the fulfillment of all of the Messianic prophecies, is the Savior of all, offering His gift of redemption and pardon to all who will trust in Him. Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, do so today!
May 4
Scripture Reading: Genesis 14
Upon returning from rescuing his nephew, Abraham was met by the king of Sodom, Melchizedek. This is an important character, as is noted here, in Psalms 110, and in Hebrews Chapters 5 and 7. An interesting side note is that God had One working in Sodom who was “a priest of the most high God;” working among a most wicked people that were destined for destruction because of their sin. Our Lord seeks to save the ungodly that are facing certain judgment.
According to what we read in Psalms and in Hebrews, this king/priest of Sodom provided yet another revelation concerning the Coming Messiah. Obviously, Abraham recognized the greatness of Melchizedek, for the patriarch gave Him a tenth of all the spoil he had taken in battle. Through Melchizedek, and what is revealed about Him in Psalms and in Hebrews, additional information on the Messiah is provided. For instance, Psalms 110:1 taught that the Messiah would be more than just a mere man, for here He is called, “Lord.” He would be a King, but He would also be a priest, “after the order of Melchizedek.” According to Paul, this would mean that His priesthood would be eternal, unlike the priesthood of Aaron, which was ever changing because of the mortality of the priests.
Thus far we have seen prophecies of the Messiah that tell us that He would have a miraculous birth through the descendants of Abraham, that He would be a King, but would also be a priest after the order of Melchizedek. We have also learned that He would be more than just a mere man. His humanity could be traced back to Adam, but He is recognized in Scripture as the Lord, “having neither beginning of days, nor end of life....” (Hebrews 7:3). Only Jesus fulfills these prophecies!
May 5
Scripture Reading: Genesis 17-18
God revealed to Abraham that He would become a great nation, and that the Messiah would come through his family, and would be a blessing to all mankind. This revelation came to Abraham when he and Sarah were will up in years, and the fulfillment of the promise that they would be blessed with a son did not happen until twenty five years had passed. There could be no question that God had ordained this, and had brought it to pass. Abraham and Sarah’s impatience resulted in the birth of Ishmael, but God refused him as being the one through whom the Messiah would come. A very important revelation was made to Abraham in Chapter 17, Verse 19 where the Lord said, “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” Paul would later write, “...in Isaac shall thy seed be called.” (Romans 9:7; Hebrews 11:18). Therefore, as we are tracing the Promised Seed, the Messiah, we find that He would not come through Ishmael, but through Isaac.
Why would God not accept Abraham’s request to allow Ishmael to be his heir, especially since he was Abraham’s firstborn? God is sovereign. He is omnipotent and omniscient. Ishmael was Abraham’s son brought forth through his impatience, and could be considered “born after the flesh,” (Galatians 4:23) whereas Isaac was considered to have been “born by promise.” God sovereignly appointed Isaac as the son through whom Messiah would come, the son of the promise. He would be Abraham’s heir, the heir of the covenant God made with the patriarch of the coming Deliverer. That covenant passed down to Isaac and his descendants after him. Messiah would be of Isaac.
May 6
Scripture Reading: Genesis 22
The offering up of Isaac is an event in Scripture that is full of meaning. It was a test of Abraham, but its purpose goes for beyond the testing of the “Friend of God.” (James 2:23) In type, the event foreshadowed the offering up of the Son of God on Calvary for the sins of the world. Abraham pictured God the Father willingly offering up His Son as a sacrifice for sins. (See Isaiah 53, noting phrases such as “smitten of God, the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all, it please the Lord to bruise him.”) These phrases make clear that this plan was ordained and executed by Almighty God the Father. Abraham took the promised son through whom the Seed would come to offer him up in obedience to God’s command, which was a picture of the offering up of the Son of God for our sins.
Another important revelation was given in answer to Isaac’s question concerning the “lamb for a burnt offering.” Abraham replied, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering....” This answer revealed that God would provide a sacrifice for sin through the Messiah, the promised Seed of Genesis 3:15. The way that the Messiah would “bruise” the head of the serpent, through whom sin entered into the world, would be by taking sin to Himself on the Cross. This was God’s provision for man’s sin; the provision that would restore all to God who would place faith in the Messiah. Another thought revealed to Abraham was that God would “provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering,” a prophecy of the Divinity of God’s Messiah, that He would be God “manifest in the flesh.” (1 Timothy 3:16). The “ram caught in the thicket” revealed that God would provide a Substitute, One Who would die in man’s stead to bring salvation. Amen! Thank God for His Messiah, our Savior, Jesus the Christ!
May 7
Scripture Reading: Genesis 25
God confirmed to Isaac the covenant He had made to Abraham, assuring Isaac that the Promised Seed would come through him and his wife, Rebekah. (See Genesis 26:1-5) Prior to this confirmation, she gave birth to twin boys; Esau and Jacob. Although it was customary for the eldest son to be considered the heir, God revealed to Rebekah that the “elder shall serve the younger,” implying that God would choose Jacob over Esau to be the son through whom the Seed would come; the son of the promise. (See 25:23)
The descendants of Esau would become a great people, the Edomites. A detailed and lengthy genealogy of his descendants is given in Genesis, but God did not choose to bring the Messiah into the world through Esau. Jacob, although not a perfect man, (There has never been a perfect, sinless man, other than the Lord Jesus Christ) was chosen by God to be the son of Isaac through whom the Messiah would be presented to the world. Later, we will note that Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel by the Lord, was the father of twelve sons that would become the heads of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. Thus we are seeing the fulfillment of the prophecy that God made to Abraham when He promised that He would make of him a great nation of people. It would be through that nation, Israel, that the Messiah would come into the world. We will see later that one of those tribes, the Tribe of Judah, would be chosen to bring forth the Promised Messiah.
Although the Messiah, the Christ, would come through the nation of Israel, He is the Savior of all mankind. In Revelation we read that there will be in heaven redeemed people from every nation, tribe and tongue. He truly saves all that come to God by Him. (Hebrews 7:25) Have you come to Christ for salvation?
May 8
Scripture Reading: Genesis 49
One of the great stories of Scripture is that of the sojourn of the Children of Israel in Egypt, a sojourn that lasted over four hundred years. God’s blessings on Israel through the service of Joseph, and His provisions for His people during the time of great famine reveals the faithfulness of God to His own. Jacob spent his latter years in Egypt, and just before he died the patriarch called together his sons and blessed them. Each of these blessings are significant, but especially that which he spoke to Judah.
“Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.”
This blessing, which was in essence a prophecy, revealed that the Messiah would come through the tribe of Judah. We will trace this promise in greater detail in a later study, but note carefully the prophetic words of Revelation 5:5; “And one of the elders saith to me, Weep not: Behold the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David hath prevailed to open the book....” The Promised Messiah was prophesied to come into the world through the Tribe of Judah, of the Children of Israel.
May 9
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 18
Thus far in our studies, we have learned that the Messiah was prophesied to be a King and also a Priest. In our reading today, we see a further prophecy concerning Messiah, that being that He would also be a Prophet. Notice the details of this prophecy:
1. “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee....” (Raised up of Israel, or Abraham’s descendants.)
2. “...like unto me....” (Similarities to Moses)
3. A Mediator between God and His people: See verses 16-17, compare with Deut. 5:24-28 and 1 Tim. 2:5
4. “...I will...put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I command him.” See John 8:28; 12:49-50; 15:15
5. All will be accountable for their response to Him and to His message; “...I will require it of him.”
The uniqueness of the coming Messiah, with the multiple offices that He would occupy, would help Israel to identify Him when He came. Naturally, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are sure that only He fulfills all of the requirements that prophesies specified for the Coming Messiah. He alone is Prophet, Priest and King. Among His words spoken during His earthly ministry were words of prophecy, of which some have already seen fulfillment. He currently serves as our High Priest in heaven. The day is rapidly approaching when He will establish His kingdom on this earth, where He will rule as Sovereign over the entire world. None have held all three of the offices, but Jesus shall. He is now both Prophet and Priest, and will someday be crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Even so, Lord Jesus!
May 10
Scripture Reading: Joshua 5
After the death of Moses, God chose Joshua to lead Israel into the land of promise. Their very first challenge would be the walled city of Jericho. In preparation for that battle, Joshua was surveying the city when the “Captain of the Lord’s host” appeared to him. This was not a vision, as in a dream, but was an actual, visible appearance. It is also obvious that this was not merely a created angel, for He accepted the worship of Joshua, and He demanded the removal of Joshua’s shoes, as He had earlier with Moses in His first appearance to him. This obviously was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus to the man Joshua. As such, this was a a pre-incarnate appearance of the Messiah.
As was prophesied earlier, the Messiah Who appeared to Joshua was seen in the form of a man; a Man of War, to be exact. Interestingly, He was depicted as a “Man of War” in Exodus 15 in the song of Moses. He is also referred to thus in Isaiah 42:13. As a Man of War, He will repeatedly be described as having many enemies, as we will see in later references. When the Lord Jesus returns to earth in His Second Coming, He will be seen as this “Man of War,” depicted as riding a white horse with a two edged sword proceeding out of His mouth with which He will smite the nations.
Prophecies of the Messiah depict Him as a Deliverer. In Joshua 5, He appeared to Joshua to assure him that He would be with Israel in their conquest of the land. His presence, power and guidance would guarantee them victory in that land that had been given to their father, Abraham. The task before Joshua and the Children of Israel was not so much the conquest of the land, as it was following the Lord Who would guide them along the way. So it is with us today. We must keep our eyes upon our Captain!
May 11
Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 7
Saul, the son of Kish, was Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9-15), but because of his disobedience, God rejected his kingdom and chose David to be his successor. David proved to be Israel’s greatest king, a man recognized by the Lord as a man after His own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14) David had a desire to build a Temple for the Lord, for the sacrifices and offerings of the Levitical priesthood had taken place in the Tabernacle since the days of Moses. The Lord refused to allow David to build the Temple because of his being such a man of war throughout his life. When He sent His message of refusal to David through the prophet Nathan, He gave to David a covenant concerning his kingdom and his successors that would reign after him. In that covenant, God gave David the promise that the Messiah would come through his family. This was an important revelation in the Messianic prophecies.
Thus far we have seen that the Messiah would have a miraculous birth, that He would be of the descendants of Abraham and of the Tribe of Judah. Now we see that He would be of the family of David, a King that would sit on David’s throne ruling Israel and the world. Here, it would be good to read the genealogy given of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 1. Paul declared that the Lord Jesus “was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead....” (Romans 1:3-4) We will see other verifying proofs provided that Jesus is the Christ, but what we have already learned should remove all doubt as to the Person and identity of the Promised Messiah. “Thou art the Christ....” (Matthew 16:16)
May 12
Scripture Reading: Psalms 2
Many of the Psalms are Messianic; prophecies of the coming Messiah King. In our last devotion, we noted that God gave promise to David that his Son would sit upon his throne, and that His the “throne of His kingdom” would “be forever.” (2 Samuel 7:13) Therefore, along with being of the descendants of Abraham, and of the Tribe of Judah, the Messiah would be of the family of David, and would be King. Throughout the Psalms, there is additional information given that is invaluable in identifying the Person and work of the Messiah.
Psalms 2 is the first of the Messianic Psalms. It is a Psalm of the Lord’s “anointed.” (Verse 2) In our first devotional look at the Messiah, we noted the word literally means “anointed.” David prophesied that the kings of the earth would resist the Messiah, saying “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” This will prove futile, for His power is unlimited, and it has been determined from eternity past that He will reign over all the earth.
An important revelation is given of the Coming Messiah in Verse 7; “I will declare the decree, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” The Messiah would not only be the Son of David, but would be the Son of God.” Note Matthew 3:17 and 17:5. We have already seen the prophecy of the Deity of the Messiah; here He is identified as the very Son of God. Compare this with the prophecy given in Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7. This truth adds meaning and understanding to the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ. That would fulfill the prophecy given in Genesis 3:15, and explain how He could be called the Seed of the woman, the Son of David, and at the same time referred to as the Son of God.
May 13
Scripture Reading: Psalms 2; Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38
The prophecy given in Psalms 2:7 is most significant in identifying the Messiah. We read earlier Matthew 3:17 and 17:5 in which the Father spoke from heaven, revealing that Jesus is the very Son of God. In your reading today, you read the genealogy given of the Lord Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel and in Luke’s Gospel. When these passages are compared with Old Testament prophecies, an understanding of the Virgin Birth of Jesus is made possible.
Perhaps two of the most attacked truths of Scripture by Satan and the unbelieving world are the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, and His literal resurrection from the dead. It is as though the ancient words of Satan in the Garden can be heard again, “Yea, hath God said?” By attacking the Virgin Birth of Christ, an effort is being made to raise question as to His being the fulfillment of the first Messianic prophecy. By attacking the literal resurrection of Christ from the dead, an effort is being made to question His Deity; His being the very Son of God. Paul wrote, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God...concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead....”
The prophecy given in Psalms 2:7 is actually a prophecy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as is proven in Acts 13:26-33. He was proven beyond question to be the Son of God by the resurrection, which in turn also proved the Scriptural doctrine of the Virgin Birth. Beloved, Jesus is the Christ of God, the fulfillment of all the Messianic prophecies. Amen!
May 14
Scripture Reading: Psalms 2; Matthew 4:1-11; John 12:20-24
In the first prophecy of the Messiah (Genesis 3:15), it was revealed that He would have his heel bruised in the process of destroying the serpent, Satan. A recurring message throughout the Old Testament is the suffering and death of the Messiah, but as we noticed in Psalms 2, there is also prophesied a glorious resurrection. (See Psalms 2:7 with Acts 13:26-33)
Before there could be the glories of the King and His Kingdom, there would have to be the suffering of death followed by resurrection. In Matthew 4:1-11, we read of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. In the third temptation, Jesus was offered all of the kingdom of earth if He would bow down and worship Satan. According to Psalms 2:8, the Messiah will be given “the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” However, this would only come after the resurrection, which demanded the suffering and death of the Messiah. What Satan was offering Jesus in the final temptation was the kingdoms of the world without Calvary. But remember, the Messiah is the Deliverer, and His deliverance required His suffering death on the Cross. In John 12, Jesus compared His death on Calvary to that of wheat which had been cut down, suffering death. But, unless that grain of wheat was cut down and “died,” it could not be planted and would abide alone. If cut down and planted, it could bring forth much fruit. The Messiah had to be crucified in order that He might be the Deliverer, that He night bring forth much fruit.
Are you saved, my friend. If so, you are just one of many that have found life through the death and resurrection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have never been saved, call upon Him today that you might have life through Him that is Life!
May 15
Scripture Reading: Psalms 2; See also Psalms 9
“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
One last look, please, at Psalms 2. If you read carefully through this chapter, you can see how that it would possible to spend many days on these great prophecies of the Messiah. In fact, it could be used as a springboard to guide a study throughout the entire Bible on the Person and work of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Messiah is the Deliverer, Who would destroy Satan and offer salvation to all who have been deceived by him that defiled Eve in the Garden. As we have already noted, this would require His suffering of death, and His glorious resurrection. Finally, deliverance is offered to all “that put their trust in Him.” A thousand years before His birth, David was given this great prophetic truth, that salvation from sin would be possible, and only possible, through the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only through “trust in him” that one can find the true state of being “blessed.” The word “trust” is the translation of the Hebrew word meaning “to take refuge.” This implies the need for a refuge, which means a place of safety for one who is being pursued, or one who finds himself in danger or peril. All find themselves in danger and peril because of sin. All are being pursued by the adversary, that roaring lion who is seek all that he may devour. There is only one place of refuge, only one Deliverer, one Messiah. Paul wrote that we who have trusted in Christ have a “strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us....” (Hebrews 6:18) Amen!
May 16
Scripture Reading: Psalms 16
“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”
We know that this is a prophecy of Jesus Christ’s resurrection because of the quotes of this passage found in Acts 2:27 and 13:35. We also see in Acts 3:14 Jesus being referred to as the “Holy One.” See also Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34 and 1 John 2:20. Jesus is “The Holy One.”
The prophecies of the Messiah we have seen thus far prophesied that the Messiah would have to suffer (the bruising of the heal in Genesis 3:15), He would have to die and would be resurrected from the dead. In Psalms 16, the prophecy specified that the Messiah would not “see corruption,” implying that His death with be conquered in resurrection before the time that corruption had set in on His deceased flesh. According to the Jews, corruption began on the deceased’s corpse on the fourth day after death. That is why that those at Lazarus’ tomb were reluctant to remove the stone from the entrance. When Jesus commanded them to “Take away the stone,” (John 11:39) Martha’s response was, “Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he had been dead four days.” They were certain that Lazarus’ dead form had reached the stage of corruption, producing a most unpleasant odor. The prophecy of the slain Messiah was clear, He would be resurrected from death before the time that corruption of His deceased flesh began. Again, Jesus Christ is the clear fulfillment of this prophecy for the Scripture declares that His resurrection took place before the accepted time of corruption. See Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 27:64 with Acts 10:40 and 1 Corinthians 15:4. Our Lord Jesus is the crucified, buried and risen Messiah. Amen!
May 17
Scripture Reading: Psalms 22; 23; 24
This trilogy of Messianic Psalms provides some of the most amazing prophecies of the Messiah found in all Scripture. I encourage you to read through these familiar Psalms several times, noting the detailed prophecies of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We have already seen in the Psalms prophecies of His suffering, of His death and His glorious resurrection. Psalms 2 looked forward to that day when He reigns upon the earth as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Chapter 22 is the Psalm of the Sufferer; drawing for us a most vivid picture of the Crucifixion from the perspective of the Crucified. As you read through this Chapter, be sure to compare these prophecies to the fulfillments of each in the New Testament. Reading Psalms 22 is like reading a firsthand account of the Sufferer on the day of His Crucifixion. It actually is exactly that; His firsthand account as viewed in prophecy that was written a thousand years before the event.
Chapter 23 is the Psalm of the Shepherd. Compare this with Christ’s teachings in John 15. Through His suffering of crucifixion, He was able to save all that would trust in Him, thus bringing them into His fold. This would only be possible if He was willing to suffer, bleed and die for His sheep. Thank God He was willing!
Chapter 24 is the Psalm of the Sovereign, the King Who would fulfill the prophecy given to David in the Davidic Covenant. Remember, we noted that Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world without having to be crucified, but His death on the Cross was mandatory in order that He might bring His sheep into His fold. His final role in fulfilling the Messianic prophecies in the Bible is that of The King; the Son of David reigning as the King of the world from David’s throne. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
May 18
Scripture Reading: Psalms 22 - 24
I have asked you to read these Chapters again because of their importance in the Messianic prophecies of Scripture. Please note the following passages and their fulfillment in the New Testament:
Bones unbroken | ||
Accused by false witnesses | ||
Hated without cause | ||
Delights in God’s Word | ||
Betrayed by friend | ||
The Eternal King | ||
Ascends to heaven | ||
Given vinegar & gall | ||
Prays for enemies | ||
His betrayer replaced | ||
Rules over His enemies | ||
A priest forever | ||
The Chief Cornerstone | ||
Comes in name of the Lord |
The above detailed prophecies clearly point out the Jesus Christ is the Messiah that was to come. He did come. He did suffer and die on Calvary. He did conquer death in glorious resurrection, and He is coming again. He will establish His kingdom on this earth and rule and reign for a thousand years. Be encouraged in your faith, dear child of God. Our day is dark, and the world is most wicked, but the Lord Jesus is coming back. Keep looking for Him! Keep listening for the trump, and be encouraged in your faith!
May 19
Scripture Reading: Psalms 40-41
The suffering of the Messiah is a theme found repeatedly throughout the prophetic Scriptures. Rejection and bitterness are spoken of as His lot among men, a truth that was much overlooked by those who despised Him in His day.
Two prophecies of His sufferings are found in your reading for today. In Chapter 40, we read the prophecy that tells us that, because sacrifices and offerings were insufficient to make the offerers perfect concerning sin, a body was prepared for the Messiah in order that He might be offered as a sacrifice for sinners. Compare what is written in Chapter40 with Hebrews 10:1-10. Those animal sacrifices were insufficient, having to be repeated over and over again. The body that was “prepared” for the Messiah was sinless, and was prepared as the supreme sacrifice for sins.
The prophecy given in Chapter 41 is easily interpreted. “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heal against me.” This, of course, is a prophecy of the betrayal by Judas Iscariot. Although the Lord Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas would betray Him, He considered him His friend. In fact, when Judas led the Temple guards to Jesus in the Garden, Jesus said to Him, “Friend, wherefore art thou come?” (See Matthew 26:50) And with that, the guards apprehended the Lord Jesus.
These are just a couple of the prophecies of the sufferings of the Messiah. It is worthy of note that His sufferings were known by Him from eternity past, and part of His sovereign plan for our redemption. Praise God for His great love wherewith He loved us; a love that compelled Him to suffer in our stead! Amen!
May 20
Scripture Reading: Psalms 45; Hebrews 1
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
One of the oft repeated truths about human government is corruption. We see it around the world, and in our on country as well. One of the greatest kings to ever reign was David, and he was far from perfect. It is unfortunate, but true, that when it comes to government, there is just not much by way of trust or even confidence. How different will be the government of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. “...the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.” There will be no corruption in the government of the Messiah. His laws will be unwavering. No scandals of government officials will be reported on the evening news. He will never make promises that He knows within Himself can never be kept. Because of His justness and righteousness, the Father decreed that He would receive the anointing of the oil of gladness.
The character of the kingdom of the Messiah is best described as righteousness, and because it will be a righteous kingdom, it will be filled with joy and gladness. Since the beginning of time, mankind has thought of, dreamed of and sought a utopia, but it has never been found. It will be someday. It will be when the Lord Jesus establishes His kingdom on this earth in fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies of God’s Word. The King is coming! Are you ready for that day?
May 21
Scripture Reading: Psalms 68, 69
It is most interesting to note all of the Psalms that are quoted or referred to in the New Testament. One such instance is found in Psalms 68, Verse 18: “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.” Compare this verse with Ephesians 4:8, where we read, “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” There is also a very touching prophecy given in Psalms 69 that we see vividly fulfilled in the crucifixion of the Savior. Note the following words, “Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” What a remarkable prophecy! Of course, it is easy to see the fulfillment of this prophecy in the record given of Christ’s suffering on Calvary.
We are looking at the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. Both of the references we have looked at today deal with His death, burial and resurrection. That Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah is undeniable, not only from the facts revealed in His genealogy, but those clearly seen in His life, His death and His resurrection. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Christ of God! Amen!
May 22
Scripture Reading: Psalms 109, 110
Scattered throughout the Psalms are glimpses of the Messiah, short prophetic pictures of the One that was promised to come; bringing deliverance to Israel, and to all who would place their trust in Him. Look carefully at the first five verses of Psalms 109 and see if you can hear in your mind our Savior in prayer to the Father concerning His enemies while on this earth. Then notice His words in verses 6 through 9, and note His references to Judas Iscariot.
In Psalms 110 we read of the priesthood of Messiah. It is interesting to note that Jesus, being of the tribe of Judah, is not from the priestly tribe of Levi. However, as we see in this prophecy, He is a priest “after the order of Melchizedek.” See references to this in Hebrews, Chapters 5, 6 and 7. Melchizedek was the king of Salem that Abraham met as he was returning from the conflict to free his nephew, Lot. This king of Salem was also the priest to the “Most High God.” The Messiah, the Lord Jesus, is the promised Son of David that will rule the world from Jerusalem, but He is also a priest “after the order of Melchizedek.” It would be worth your time to carefully read the chapters in Hebrews mentioned above. The Messiah is our Savior, our Great High Priest and the soon coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How fascinating is God’s Holy Word, and how accurate His prophecies of the Messiah, of our Messiah! Do you know Him as your personal Savior and Lord? Trust Him today and be saved!
May 23
Scripture Reading: Psalms 118
As you can see, the theme of this great Psalm is the mercy of God, which “endureth forever. T. De Witt Talmage, commenting of this passage wrote, “O this mercy of God! I am told it is an ocean. Then I place on it four swift-sailing craft, with compass, and charts, and choice rigging, and skilful navigators, and I tell them to launch away, and discover for me the extent of this ocean. That craft puts out in one direction, and sails to the north; this to the south; this to the east; this to the west. They crowd on all their canvas, and sail ten thousand years, and one day come up the harbour of heaven; and I shout to them from the beach, “Have you found the shore?” and they answer: “No shore to God’s mercy.” Swift angels, despatched from the throne, attempt to go across it. For a million years they fly and fly; but then come back and fold their wings at the foot of the throne, and cry: “No shore; no shore to God’s mercy!”
The greatest display of mercy, by far, is the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. When He came offering salvation, the religious leaders of Israel, the master-builders of Judaism, rejected Him and His message. Read carefully Verses 19 through 24, then turn to Matthew 21:42 and Acts 4:11. He was rejected, but He has been acknowledged by the Father, trusted by multiplied millions as Savior and has been given the glorious position as the Chief Corner Stone. If you have trusted in Him, you have been placed upon the Solid Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, our Savior. Amen!
May 24
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 7 - 9: The Messiah to born of a Virgin.
Beginning with the Book of Isaiah, and running through the remainder of the Old Testament, is found that portion of God’s Word known as the Prophets; major prophets running through the Book of Daniel, and the minor prophets being the final 12. Scattered throughout the 17 books of prophecy in the Old Testament are many prophecies of the Coming Messiah.
Isaiah has many prophecies of the promised Messiah. In our passage today, he informed us that Messiah would have a supernatural birth. We already saw that from the very first prophecy of the Coming One, which was given in Genesis 3:15. Isaiah wrote, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Please read Matthew 1:23. In Isaiah 9, we read, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given...and his name shall called...the mighty God....” The virgin birth of the Savior has been rejected by many, but is an essential doctrine of Scripture. Had He been born through natural procreation, He would have been a mere man, a mortal Who like all others in the human family, would have been born in sin. However, as the Virgin Born Son of God, He was and is the sinless Lamb of God that took away the sins of the world. Through His Virgin Birth, the sin that coursed through the veins of all the children of Adam did not defile Him, our spotless and pure Lamb. Isaiah prophesied Messiah would be virgin born!
May 25
Scripture Reading: Micah 5: The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
This is an important prophecy found in Chapter 5, Verse 2. It provided the exact location of the birth of the Messiah. When the wise men came to Jerusalem seeking the He that was “born King of the Jews,” Herod gathered all of the chief priests and scribes and inquired of them where “Christ” (Greek for Messiah) should be born. Immediately the answer was given, “In Bethlehem of Judea.” They were very familiar with Micah’s prophecy.
How many times do you suppose this reference in the Book of Micah has been pointed out, read or discussed since the day he was given the prophecy by the Lord? How many times have you heard reference made to this prophecy? Countless times, without doubt! This is an identifying prophecy, one of those given as an unquestionable proof as to the Person of the Messiah. Standing alone, this verse might be questioned. There could have been many who could claim to be the promised Messiah who were born in Bethlehem. But when placed with all of the many other identifying prophecies, it forms an undeniable proof that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the promised Messiah.
Next Christmas season, when references are made to Bethlehem, or even to this very prophecy given, praise the Lord for His coming to be our Messiah. Praise Him that He has made Himself known to you through His Word, and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Messiah has come!
May 26
Scripture Reading: Hosea 11; Matthew 2:15: The Messiah would be called out of Egypt.
Each year during the Christmas season, we are reminded of the vileness of Herod in ordering the deaths of the infants in the area of Bethlehem. Of course, this was an effort to destroy the Christ Child. Jeremiah prophesied of this horrible event in Chapter 32, Verse 15; “Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Rama, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, for they were not.” Jospeh was warned by the angel of the Lord to take the Child and His mother to Egypt and to remain there until he was told he could return with them to Israel. The trip would be possible through the gifts that had been presented to the Lord by the wisemen. They remained in Egypt until after the death of Herod, returning to Nazareth when commanded to do so by the angel.
The prophecy had been given that the Messiah would be called out of Egypt. This would have been difficult to understand without the record given of the fulfillment of this very prophecy. God called His Son out of Egypt, after having been sent there through the warning of the angel. Joseph may not have been aware of this prophecy, and he may not have understood all that the Lord was causing him to have to endure, but because of his unwavering and unquestioning obedience, not only was the Christ Child spared the wrath of Herod, a priceless prophecy of the coming Messiah was fulfilled. God’s Word is ever amazing! Amen!
May 27
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40; Malachi 3-4: The Messiah Would Be Introduced By a Forerunner
One of the prophecies of the Messiah declared that He would be introduced to the world by a forerunner, called God’s “messenger.” His ministry would be a simple one; preparing the way before the Messiah. This prophecy saw fulfillment in John the Baptist. In the third Chapter of Malachi’s prophecy, in the last book of the Old Testament, God revealed that He would send His “messenger” to prepare all for the Messiah. This is most significant, for Malachi’s prophecy was the final revelation from God to man prior to a four hundred year period of silence. That silence was ended when the angel Gabriel was sent from God to the priest, Zacharias, informing him that he and his wife would give birth to a very special child. They were to name that child, John, and he would go forth in the spirit and power of Elias making ready a people prepared for the Lord. (See Luke 1:15-25). John would be the fulfillment of Isaiah’s and Malachi’s prophecies of the “messenger” who would prepare the way for the Messiah.
John’s ministry was most successful, for people came from all parts of Israel to hear his message of repentance, and to be baptized by him. He readily affirmed that “One was coming after him that was preferred before him.” When Jesus appeared on the banks of the Jordan to be baptized by him, John declared, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” John the Baptist was God’s messenger pointing souls to the Lord Jesus, the Christ.
May 28
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:14-36; John 2:18; 6:30 with Isaiah 35:5-6: The Messiah Will Be Identified By Signs, Wonders and Healing
The Lord Jesus healed many that were sick during the days of His earthly ministry, actually restoring life to three who had died; Lazarus, the widow of Nane’s son, and Jairus’ daughter. The writer of the Acts, in recording the message of Peter in Chapter 10 wrote, “...Jesus of Nazareth...went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil....” One of the prophecies of the Coming Messiah was His miraculous healings, wonders and signs. We discussed this earlier, but you will recall that when John the Baptist sent question to Jesus as to whether or not He was the One that “was to come,” Jesus answered the question by demonstration of the good works He was performing through miraculous power. John was fully aware of the fact that Messiah would be identified by such acts.
Many have tried to downplay or outright deny the miraculous healings recorded in the Gospels. It is claimed that these were merely exaggerations of Christ’s followers as they embellished the deeds of the Savior while on earth. Beloved, there is a reason for that. Our adversary knows that those miracles were indicators that Jesus was exactly who He claimed to be; the Christ of God, the fulfillment of all the Old Testament Messianic prophecies. Never allow the deniers, questioners or skeptics to cause questions to your faith. The Lord Jesus is the Christ! Scripture declares it so clearly!
May 29
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53:1-3 with 49:7; Psalms 69:10-12: The Messiah Would Suffer Rejection
One only has to read through the Gospels to see that Jesus Christ was widely rejected among the religious Jews of His day. The chief priests, the scribes, the Pharisees and others who were considered spiritual leaders in Israel in that day rejected His message and His person. There was continual conflict during the days of His earthly ministry from many who were supposed to be able to identify Him based upon the clear teachings of His Word. It was to those spiritual leaders in Israel that Jesus said, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they be they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:39,40). This might be confusing to those reading the account of His experience in Israel if they are not knowledgeable of the prophecies of the Messiah. The “one that was to come” was to be one that was “despised and rejected for men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief....”
Thankfully, not all “Jews” rejected Jesus. In fact, most all of His followers throughout the era of the Gospels were Jews, as were most in the early days of the Christian Church. Actually, most all people reject Him today, and refuse to acknowledge Him as the Savior, the Christ of God. But, for those who do, He saves them to the uttermost and gives them a peace and joy that nothing in the world can compare to or take away from them. Keep trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ!
May 30
Scripture Reading: Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11; Luke 19:28-40: The Messiah Would Be Presented To Israel Riding Upon a Foal, the Colt of An Ass
The scene of “The Triumphal Entry” is one that has been preached, shared and enacted multiplied times since its happening two thousand years ago. This must have been an exciting day, when followers of Christ ran along before, beside and behind Him, singing His praise in adoration and worship. It must have also been quite humbling, to see the Lord Jesus riding into Jerusalem on this beast of burden. Regardless of the various emotions that were stirred from this event, it is one of tremendous importance and significance. Zechariah prophesied in detail that the Messiah would thus present Himself to the Jewish people. When He rode into Jerusalem that day, upon a borrowed beast that had never been ridden, He was announcing to the world that He was the Christ indeed, and was demanding that all worship Him. There is perhaps no clearer fulfillment of Messianic prophecy in Scripture given than that of the Triumphal Entry.
Next Easter season, on Palm Sunday, remember the great significance of this event, and the prophecy that was given in Zechariah as a proof that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Messiah. When He offered Himself to Israel as her King, He was rejected. He will, however, come again the second time into Jerusalem, presenting Himself as her King, the Son of David, to set up His kingdom. What a glorious day that will be! Jesus will be fully recognized as the King of Kings!
May 31
Scripture Reading: Zechariah 11:12,13; Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-10: The Messiah, In His Betrayal, Would Be Sold For Thirty Pieces of Silver
When Judas Iscariot struck his bargain with the chief priests to betray the Lord Jesus, he required of them thirty pieces of silver in return for his wicked services. They needed to be able to apprehend Christ in the absence of the multitudes, a difficult task in Jerusalem. Judas would know the best way to accomplish this, having spent much time with the Lord during His stay there in the Holy City, so they were more than willing to pay his price. Having received from them the price of his betrayal, Judas led Temple guards to the Lord while He was in the Garden of Gethsemane. Betraying the Lord with a kiss in order to identify Him to the Temple guards, Judas’ wicked deed was done, and our Lord was led away to the high priest’s house. Later, when Judas was smitten with guilt, he sought to return the money to the chief priest, and left them and committed suicide by hanging himself. They felt they could not return this money to the treasury that they had given in order to facilitate our Lord’s death. Therefore, they took that thirty pieces of silver and bought a parcel of ground known as the “potter’s field,” using it as a place of burial of strangers in Jerusalem. All of this was prophesied in detail many hundreds of years before the actual event. The Messiah would be sold for thirty pieces of silver. Had the chief priests known the Word of God - but, alas, they did not! But, praise be to God, we do! Amen!
