Scripture validates scripture, while events in history validates the veracity of it all. God spoke His Word through many men; yet, He inspired each word. How was it that Isaiah foretold of Cyrus the King of Persia freeing the people more than 200 years before Cyrus gained the empire of Persia, defeating Babylon as foretold? (Isaiah 44:8, 45:1). And all this at the precise year foretold of by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10). Can we use scripture to show the validity that Jesus is the Christ? Christ means “the anointed one”, the savior and redeemer. Are there scriptures throughout the Old Testament that proves Jesus is the Christ beyond any shadow of doubt? That is precisely what Jesus Himself did along the road to Emmaus that day. Unlike the Koran, supposedly written by one proclaimed prophet, the Bible was written by many hands; although one God directing each word.
With the scripture being written over centuries of time and through many prophets, psalmists and historians; the possibility that all would predict different elements of Christ’s birth, life, and resurrection with such accurate detail would be utterly impossible. Indeed, those very ones looking for Him might have said there was some controversy in the prophetic statements. How was it that He would come out of Bethlehem as predicted by Micah, be called out of Egypt, be the source of weeping over Rama and be called a Nazarene all at the same time? Yet, that is precisely what Matthew lays out is the case in Matthew 2. And this, after the case was presented in Chapter 1 regarding the lineage of Christ being that of David as foretold, who was of the lineage of Judah. His lineage of Kingship was intact both through Mary His mother and through Joseph her husband.
The Christ
And he said, ‘Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:13-14). Not only was the Christ to be born fulfilling the covenant promise to Abraham, Jacob, Judah and David, He was to be born of a virgin. The details of this virgin birth were laid out by Matthew and Luke. How the angel of the Lord came to both Mary and Joseph to tell them what was going to happen. “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 1:20).
“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary” (Luke 1:26-27). When he told her, she would bare a son, she asked the angel, “How, seeing I know no man and am a virgin?” His reply: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35).
If you would recall from previous posts concerning Elisha, the lineage of David had nearly been destroyed by Athaliah the evil queen, daughter of Jezebel. Yet, one grandbaby escaped her death sentence and had been hidden from her to later become King.
From Whence the Christ Came
All of this was indeed miraculous; but, how was the Christ to be born in Bethlehem, be called out of Egypt, be from a place so insignificant as Nazareth of Galilee while fulfilling the prophecy of Ramah at the same time? All this could only be fulfilled by a Sovereign God who desired that we have no doubt that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior whom we may call our Lord.
It was such that at the time Jesus was to be born, a decree went out that all must go to the city of their heritage to pay taxes. This decree was made by pagan leaders who knew nothing of Mary or Joseph; but as a result of this tax, they traveled to Bethlehem. Hence was fulfilled the prophecy of Micah. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2).
The young family then stayed there for a time; because, when the Magi came in search of them, they were in a house. The Magi were Persian wise men who proclaimed the Kings of the day. Had they not heard of the Messiah, the King of the Jews who was foretold of by the Jewish prophets. Remember, Daniel had been among the Persians as had Ezekiel because of their Babylonian exile. Cyrus had played a large role in restoring Jerusalem and the temple once the Babylonians were overtaken by Persia.
The Family Fled
Once Herod heard from the Magi of the King’s birth (as they searched for Jesus), he determined to kill Him. But God sent an angel to Joseph and told him to flee to Egypt for a while. Obediently, Joseph left for Egypt with his family until Herod died. Yet, in that the prophecy was fulfilled, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. (Hosea 11:1). This was a “type” prophecy. It both referred to the time God called the Israelites out of Egypt; but, also looked to the future. To save Israel and all who would come to accept Christ as Savior, God called Jesus out of Egypt. For another angel was sent to Joseph to come out of Egypt and return to Israel.
At the time that Joseph took his family to Egypt, Herod sent out a decree to kill all babies in Bethlehem and the surrounding area that were 2 years of age and under. This fulfilled the prophecy of Rachel weeping over Ramah as prophesied by Jeremiah 31:15. That prophecy had been fulfilled once before as the Babylonians captured the Northern and Southern tribes of Israel. However, once more it occurred because there was area surrounding Bethlehem which was a high ridge (a Ramah) in which the tomb of Rachel is noted to be. Certainly, there was great inconsolable weeping as all the babies were snatched away and killed.
The Christ Sent Back to Nazareth
Then a few months later, Joseph was again visited by an angel and told to return to the land of Israel. This time he was sent back to Nazareth of Galilee. Not the most likely place Joseph would want to go because many unbelievers whispered about Mary’s pregnancy and spoke ill of her. Yet, therein it was fulfilled the that which was spoken by many prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matthew 2:23).
Any one of these fulfillment of scripture would have been miraculous; but, herein lies only a few surrounding His birth. Although, there were hundreds fulfilled at the time of His birth. God presents the truth that He is Sovereign over all that happens on earth. He wants to assure us of the truth of the gospel. Without hesitation, we can trust that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God who came to purchase our salvation. God cares about every detail of our life as well.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Series: Finding Faith on the Road to Emmaus
Was Jesus the Savior they Waited For?
How was Christ’s Suffering a Part of His Glory?
Why is it so Important to Know All the Truth?
How Faith is Found on the Road to Emmaus
Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.