Hi Adam
Did Jesus really fulfil the prophecies about the Messiah?
If not, why would God change His word in the Old Testament to fit the New Testament? In the Old Testament, there are quite a few things that are said to be looked for at the coming of the Messiah. This is what God laid down so that His people, the Jews, could know who the real Messiah was. But I heard not all the prophecies were fulfilled? So how do you know that Jesus is the real Messiah? Why did so many Jews not believe in Jesus at the time? I mean, in a sense it is understandable because they were given scriptures from God that clearly state what to look for … Yes, God can change his mind, but why would He change something of such critical importance when He knows what is, what was and what is to come?
Enchanted by Judaism, Cape Town
This is a valid question, in fact, it is almost two questions in one. Did God change his word? And Were all the prophecies fulfilled?
Did God change his word?
Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them” (Matthew 5:17 ESV). God did not change his mind or his word. But, his Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ. He was free from that Covenant, just as we are free from that Covenant (Romans 6:15). Imagine the way a cell phone contract ends. Both the service provider and the contract holder are free from the contract. Even though the service provider contacts you with details of new contracts available, you may just continue using the handset you have, without taking advantage of the upgrades on offer. It’s a little bit like that. The New Covenant is established in Christ, and the Jews, along with people of all ethnicities, nations and languages, are invited to partake in that New Covenant. This is clear from scripture and historic Christian doctrine.
But, if the Old Covenant was fulfilled in Jesus, were all the prophecies fulfilled?
Prophecy Fulfilled
Conservative estimates say Jesus’ earthly ministry fulfilled in excess of 300 Old Testament prophecies. Articles such as this one attempt to catalogue some of these. However, nowhere in the Old Testament is there a list of qualifications for a Messiah. And nowhere in the Old Testament is there a list of everything a Messiah must accomplish. The lists that we have were developed by Jewish scholars, over centuries, as they carefully studied the Scriptures, and compiled lists of prophetic references to the Messiah. Because Messianic prophecy is nearly always layered within prophecy that also spoke into an immediate context (as we saw with Isaiah 7:14), there is a measure of interpretation required in assessing what is or isn’t Messianic.
Some of the classic “unfulfilled” prophecies include world peace, building a third temple, and universal acceptance of God. These challenges to Jesus’ Messiahhood are so old, the Bible authors already responded to them. The fulfilment of all these, according to Christian doctrine, will continue to be worked out, by Jesus, who is alive, still present by his Holy Spirit on earth, and in Heaven at the right hand of the Father. In that sense, Jesus’ ministry as Messiah, is not over. He said “It is finished” on the cross (John 19:30), but that related to the atonement sacrifice. The scriptures also say, he ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). ‘Intercession’ means he is currently working to plead our case with God, as our advocate (1 John 2:1). At his return, we are told, every knee will bow to Jesus (universal acceptance of God) (Romans 14:10-11), he will bring peace (1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 2:8), and the dwelling of God (the temple) will be with men (Revelation 21:3).
The idea of Old Testament prophecies being unfulfilled in Christ hinges on the rabbinical traditions being infallible in their interpretation of scripture. Something neither the Jews nor the Christians have historically believed. Further, saying Jesus failed to fulfil Messianic prophecy presupposes that all prophecy had to be completed during his earthly ministry and also presupposes that his resurrection didn’t happen. Which is another whole debate! (However, the resurrection of Jesus is much better supported by history than many people understand.)
Jesus recognised that the Pharisees had failed to see him through their study of scripture. He said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40 ESV). Just because someone says they don’t find Jesus in the Messianic prophecies, does not mean he is not there. That is why we need the Holy Spirit. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us (John 16:7-14).
When you read the Old Testament, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show Jesus to you. He is there.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam is an Englishman living abroad, who knows this earth is not his home. Married with two children and a leader in his local church, Adam is a musician, artist, writer and teacher.
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