The birth
of Christ receives far less detail than the ministry and death of Christ in the
Gospel narratives recording His life.
Yet every year people around the world focus on His birth. Some of these people don’t have any idea who
the Christ of Christmas really is. The
four Gospel writers each share a unique narrative about His birth. They don’t contradict each other; they simply
highlight different peculiarities around His birth. For the next four weeks, we will explore each
Gospel narrative as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ on
Christmas Day.
Rather
than start with Matthew, let’s begin with the Gospel of Mark. Mark’s gospel doesn’t even mention His
birth. Mark’s gospel was the earliest
written description of the incredible life of Christ. He wrote his gospel around AD 62. Before his written version, Christians’
shared the stories of Jesus orally from their first-hand encounters. Mark’s gospel reveals Christ as the
servant. We think of His gospel as
written for the people of his time—the Romans.
They would not be impressed by Jesus’ genealogy, so Mark emphasizes the
miracles of Jesus. His gospel is the
action packed-gospel. The birth of
Christ—promised by God to King David hundreds of years earlier—would not appeal
to the non-Jew. This is probably the
reason the remarkable birth of Christ is not highlighted. Mark begins his gospel with these words:
The beginning of the good
news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as
it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”—“a voice of one calling in the
wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” And so John the Baptist appeared in
the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 The whole Judean countryside and all the
people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized
by him in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:1-5)
No
details about the birth of Christ, except a reference to the prophecy about a
messenger who will prepare the way for Jesus the Messiah. Mark’s gospel begins by picking up with the
place the last book of the Old Testament ended (Malachi 4:5--“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before
that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents
to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I
will come and strike the land with total destruction.”)
Mark’s gospel shows us that the existence of Jesus
Christ on this earth was not an accident.
It was detailed by the prophets of old.
He is the one about whom all the prophets were speaking. Each prophet gave unique and detailed
highlights about the birth of Christ.
The birth of Christ has only been known for a little
over 2000 years. The first Christians
celebrated His birth openly on December 25 under the Roman Rule of Constantine
300 years after his birth. No one knows
the exact date of Jesus’ birth. But we
do know some other details simply because they were foretold hundreds of years
before His birth and they took on new meaning after Christ died and rose
again.
There are over 400 prophesies about Christ spread
throughout the Old Testament. Around 350
of them have been fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming. His second coming will fulfill the remaining
prophesies. Some that were foretold of
his birth are:
1.
Born
of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14—Matthew 1:23)
2.
Born
in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2—Matthew 2:6)
3.
Great
mourning for the mothers of Bethlehem (Jeremiah 31:15-Matthew 2:18)
4.
Jesus
would be called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1—Matthew 2:15)
It’s not surprising that our
amazing Savior would have such an amazing birth. If you would like to know more of the prophesies
of Jesus Christ a list is provided below.
Mark’s gospel reminds us that Jesus birth was long awaited. It is no surprise that the whole world is
nudged to peace and kindness around December 25.
Copyright
© 2017. Deborah R. Newman teatimeforyoursoul.com All Rights Reserved.
You can order my new Advent Devotional from Amazon today for
yourself and as a gift for friends. The
first Sunday of Advent is December 3, 2017:
http://www.accordingtothescriptures.org/prophecy/353prophecies.html
Scripture
|
Prophecy
|
Fulfillment
|
Seed of a woman (virgin birth)
|
||
He will bruise Satan's head
|
||
Christ's heel would be bruised with
nails on the cross
|
||
Seed of Abraham will bless all nations
|
||
The Promise made to Abraham's Seed
|
||
A priest after the order of
Melchizedek
|
||
King of Peace and Righteousness
|
||
The Last Supper foreshadowed
|
||
The Lamb of God promised
|
||
As Isaac's seed, will bless all
nations
|
||
The Seed of Isaac promised as the
Redeemer
|
||
The Bridge to heaven
|
||
The Seed of Jacob
|
||
The Seed of Judah
|
||
Called Shiloh or One Sent
|
||
Messiah to come before Judah lost
identity
|
||
Unto Him shall the obedience of the
people be
|
||
The Great "I AM"
|
||
The Lamb presented to Israel 4 days
before Passover
|
||
A Lamb without blemish
|
||
The blood of the Lamb saves from wrath
|
||
Christ is our Passover
|
||
Not a bone of the Lamb to be broken
|
||
His exaltation predicted as Yeshua
|
||
His Character-Holiness
|
||
The Spiritual Rock of Israel
|
||
His Character-Merciful
|
||
His sacrifice a sweet smelling savor
unto God
|
||
The leper cleansed-Sign to priesthood
|
||
Prefigures Christ's once-for-all death
|
||
Suffering outside the Camp
|
||
The Blood-the life of the flesh
|
||
It is the blood that makes atonement
|
||
The Drink-offering: "If any man
thirst"
|
||
Not a bone of Him broken
|
||
The serpent on a pole-Christ lifted up
|
||
Time: "I shall see him, but not
now."
|
||
"This is of a truth that
prophet."
|
||
"Had ye believed Moses, ye would
believe me."
|
||
Sent by the Father to speak His word
|
||
Whoever will not hear must bear his
sin
|
||
Cursed is he that hangs on a tree
|
||
The Captain of our salvation
|
||
Christ, our kinsman, has redeemed us
|
||
A Faithful Priest
|
||
Shall be an anointed King to the Lord
|
||
David's Seed
|
||
His Kingdom is everlasting
|
||
The Son of God
|
||
David's house established forever
|
||
The bodily ascension to heaven
illustrated
|
||
David's Seed
|
||
To reign on David's throne forever
|
||
"I will be His Father, He...my
Son."
|
||
Mediator between man and God
|
||
The Resurrection predicted
|
||
The enmity of kings foreordained
|
||
To own the title, Anointed (Christ)
|
||
His Character-Holiness
|
||
To own the title King
|
||
Declared the Beloved Son
|
||
The Crucifixion and Resurrection
intimated
|
||
Rule the nations with a rod of iron
|
||
Life comes through faith in Him
|
||
The mouths of babes perfect His praise
|
||
His humiliation and exaltation
|
||
Judge the world in righteousness
|
||
Was not to see corruption
|
||
Was to arise from the dead
|
||
The resurrection predicted
|
||
The horn of salvation
|
||
Forsaken because of sins of others
|
||
"My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me?"
|
||
Darkness upon Calvary for three hours
|
||
They shoot out the lip and shake the
head
|
||
"He trusted in God, let Him
deliver Him"
|
||
Born the Saviour
|
||
They seek His death
|
||
His blood poured out when they pierced
His side
|
||
Suffered agony on Calvary
|
||
He thirsted
|
||
They pierced His hands and His feet
|
||
Stripped Him before the stares of men
|
||
They parted His garments
|
||
He committed Himself to God
|
||
Satanic power bruising the Redeemer's
heel
|
||
His Resurrection declared
|
||
He shall be the governor of the
nations
|
||
"It is finished"
|
||
"I am the Good Shepherd"
|
||
His exaltation predicted
|
||
His resurrection predicted
|
||
"Into thy hands I commit my
spirit"
|
||
His acquaintances fled from Him
|
||
They took counsel to put Him to death
|
||
"He trusted in God, let Him
deliver him"
|
||
Not a bone of Him broken
|
||
False witnesses rose up against Him
|
||
He was hated without a cause
|
||
His friends stood afar off
|
||
Enemies try to entangle Him by craft
|
||
Silent before His accusers
|
||
He went about doing good
|
||
The joy of His resurrection predicted
|
||
His delight-the will of the Father
|
||
He was to preach the Righteousness in
Israel
|
||
Confronted by adversaries in the
Garden
|
||
Betrayed by a familiar friend
|
||
Words of Grace come from His lips
|
||
To own the title, God or Elohim
|
||
A special anointing by the Holy Spirit
|
||
Called the Christ (Messiah or
Anointed)
|
||
His name remembered forever
|
||
Betrayed by a friend, not an enemy
|
||
Unrepentant death of the Betrayer
|
||
To give gifts to men
|
||
Ascended into Heaven
|
||
Hated without a cause
|
||
A stranger to own brethren
|
||
Zealous for the Lord's House
|
||
Messiah's anguish of soul before
crucifixion
|
||
"My soul is exceeding
sorrowful."
|
||
Given vinegar in thirst
|
||
The Saviour given and smitten by God
|
||
Great persons were to visit Him
|
||
The corn of wheat to fall into the
Ground
|
||
Belief on His name will produce
offspring
|
||
All nations shall be blessed by Him
|
||
All nations shall call Him blessed
|
||
He would teach in parables
|
||
To speak the Wisdom of God with
authority
|
||
The Man of God's right hand
|
||
137. Psa. 88
|
The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary
|
|
They stood afar off and watched
|
||
Firstborn
|
||
Emmanuel to be higher than earthly
kings
|
||
David's Seed, throne, kingdom endure
forever
|
||
His character-Faithfulness
|
||
Identified as Messianic; used to tempt
Christ
|
||
His exaltation predicted
|
||
His character-Goodness
|
||
The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary
|
||
Messiah is the Preexistent Son
|
||
Ridiculed
|
||
Son of David
|
||
To ascend to the right-hand of the
Father
|
||
David's son called Lord
|
||
A priest after Melchizedek's order
|
||
His character-Compassionate, Gracious,
et al
|
||
Messiah's Resurrection assured
|
||
The rejected stone is Head of the
corner
|
||
The Blessed One presented to Israel
|
||
To come while Temple standing
|
||
The Seed of David (the fruit of His
Body)
|
||
He was scourged
|
||
The supremacy of David's Seed amazes
kings
|
||
The earthly ministry of Christ
described
|
||
He will send the Spirit of God
|
||
Foreordained from everlasting
|
||
The altogether lovely One
|
||
He shall teach all nations
|
||
He shall judge among the nations
|
||
When Isaiah saw His glory
|
||
The One Sent by God
|
||
Parables fall on deaf ears
|
||
Blinded to Christ and deaf to His
words
|
||
To be born of a virgin
|
||
To be Emmanuel-God with us
|
||
Called Emmanuel
|
||
A stone of stumbling, a Rock of
offense
|
||
His ministry to begin in Galilee
|
||
A child born-Humanity
|
||
A Son given-Deity
|
||
Declared to be the Son of God with
power
|
||
The Wonderful One, Peleh
|
||
The Counsellor, Yaatz
|
||
The Mighty God, El Gibor
|
||
The Everlasting Father, Avi Adth
|
||
The Prince of Peace, Sar Shalom
|
||
Inherits the throne of David
|
||
His Character-Just
|
||
No end to his Government, Throne, and
kingdom
|
||
Called a Nazarene-the Branch, Netzer
|
||
A rod out of Jesse-Son of Jesse
|
||
Anointed One by the Spirit
|
||
His Character-Wisdom, Knowledge, et al
|
||
He would know their thoughts
|
||
Judge in righteousness
|
||
Judges with the sword of His mouth
|
||
Character: Righteous & Faithful
|
||
The Gentiles seek Him
|
||
Called Jesus-Yeshua
|
||
The One given all authority to govern
|
||
The Resurrection predicted
|
||
His power of Resurrection predicted
|
||
The Messiah is the precious corner
stone
|
||
The Sure Foundation
|
||
He indicated hypocritical obedience to
His Word
|
||
The wise are confounded by the Word
|
||
A Refuge-A man shall be a hiding place
|
||
He will come and save you
|
||
To have a ministry of miracles
|
||
Preceded by forerunner
|
||
"Behold your God."
|
||
He will come to reward
|
||
A shepherd-compassionate life-giver
|
||
The Servant-as a faithful, patient
redeemer
|
||
Meek and lowly
|
||
He brings hope for the hopeless
|
||
The nations shall wait on His
teachings
|
||
The Light (salvation) of the Gentiles
|
||
His is a worldwide compassion
|
||
Blind eyes opened.
|
||
He is the only Saviour.
|
||
He will send the Spirit of God
|
||
He is Lord and Saviour
|
||
He will be the Judge
|
||
Declares things not yet done
|
||
The First and the Last
|
||
He came as a Teacher
|
||
Called from the womb-His humanity
|
||
A Servant from the womb.
|
||
He will restore Israel
|
||
He is Salvation for Israel
|
||
He is the Light of the Gentiles
|
||
He is Salvation unto the ends of the
earth
|
||
He is despised of the Nation
|
||
Heaven is clothed in black at His
humiliation
|
||
He is a learned counselor for the
weary
|
||
The Servant bound willingly to
obedience
|
||
"I gave my back to the
smiters."
|
||
He was smitten on the cheeks
|
||
He was spat upon
|
||
Published good tidings upon mountains
|
||
The Servant exalted
|
||
The Servant shockingly abused
|
||
Nations startled by message of the
Servant
|
||
His blood shed sprinkles nations
|
||
His people would not believe Him
|
||
Appearance of an ordinary man
|
||
Despised
|
||
Rejected
|
||
Great sorrow and grief
|
||
Men hide from being associated with
Him
|
||
He would have a healing ministry
|
||
Thought to be cursed by God
|
||
Bears penalty for mankind's iniquities
|
||
His sacrifice provides peace between
man and God
|
||
His sacrifice would heal man of sin
|
||
He would be the sin-bearer for all
mankind
|
||
God's will that He bear sin for all
mankind
|
||
Oppressed and afflicted
|
||
Silent before his accusers
|
||
Sacrificial lamb
|
||
Confined and persecuted
|
||
He would be judged
|
||
Killed
|
||
Dies for the sins of the world
|
||
Buried in a rich man's grave
|
||
Innocent and had done no violence
|
||
No deceit in his mouth
|
||
God's will that He die for mankind
|
||
An offering for sin
|
||
Resurrected and live forever
|
||
He would prosper
|
||
God fully satisfied with His suffering
|
||
God's servant would justify man
|
||
The sin-bearer for all mankind
|
||
Exalted by God because of his
sacrifice
|
||
He would give up his life to save
mankind
|
||
Numbered with the transgressors
|
||
Sin-bearer for all mankind
|
||
Intercede to God in behalf of mankind
|
||
Resurrected by God
|
||
A witness
|
||
He is a leader and commander
|
||
God would glorify Him
|
||
283. Isa. 59:16a
|
Intercessor between man and God
|
|
284. Isa. 59:16b
|
He would come to provide salvation
|
|
He would come to Zion as their
Redeemer
|
||
He would shew light to the Gentiles
|
||
The Spirit of God upon him
|
||
The Messiah would preach the good news
|
||
Provide freedom from the bondage of
sin
|
||
Proclaim a period of grace
|
||
Descendant of David
|
||
The Messiah would be both God and Man
|
||
Born of a virgin
|
||
The Messiah would be the new covenant
|
||
Descendant of David
|
||
Descendant of David
|
||
Descendant of David
|
||
The Stone that shall break the
kingdoms
|
||
He would ascend into heaven
|
||
Highly exalted
|
||
His dominion would be everlasting
|
||
To make an end to sins
|
||
To make reconciliation for iniquity
|
||
He would be holy
|
||
His announcement
|
||
Cut off
|
||
Die for the sins of the world
|
||
Killed before the destruction of the
temple
|
||
Messiah in a glorified state
|
||
He would be called out of Egypt
|
||
He would defeat death
|
||
Offer salvation to all mankind
|
||
Death and resurrection of Christ
|
||
Born in Bethlehem
|
||
Ruler in Israel
|
||
From everlasting
|
||
He would visit the second Temple
|
||
Descendant of Zerubbabel
|
||
God's servant
|
||
Priest and King
|
||
Greeted with rejoicing in Jerusalem
|
||
Beheld as King
|
||
The Messiah would be just
|
||
The Messiah would bring salvation
|
||
The Messiah would be humble
|
||
Presented to Jerusalem riding on a
donkey
|
||
The cornerstone
|
||
At His coming, Israel to have unfit
leaders
|
||
Rejection causes God to remove His
protection
|
||
Rejected in favor of another king
|
||
Ministry to "poor," the
believing remnant
|
||
Unbelief forces Messiah to reject them
|
||
Despised
|
||
Stops ministering to those who
rejected Him
|
||
Rejection causes God to remove
protection
|
||
The Messiah would be God
|
||
Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver
|
||
Rejected
|
||
Thirty pieces of silver cast in the
house of the Lord
|
||
The Messiah would be God
|
||
The Messiah's body would be pierced
|
||
The Messiah would be both God and man
|
||
The Messiah would be rejected
|
||
God's will He die for mankind
|
||
346. Zech. 13:
|
A violent death
|
|
Both God and man
|
||
Israel scattered as a result of
rejecting Him
|
||
He would return to the Mt. of Olives
|
||
Messenger to prepare the way for
Messiah
|
||
Sudden appearance at the temple
|
||
Messenger of the new covenant
|
||
The God who changes not
|
||
Forerunner in spirit of Elijah
|
||
Forerunner would turn many to
righteousness
|
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