Understanding Jesus: Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecies

I was watching a show about Jesus in the Gospels and there were some interesting statements being made about Jesus and His divine divinity. There is a definitive correlation regarding the New Testament being the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.

I have heard quite a few sermons over the years where the pastors fly through all the references, and you are sitting there like holy cow that was information overload! But it is so good. You really know that they did their homework. I always got the genuine sense that there was so much to be said about the Jewish text and how it intertwines with the New Testament. Jesus was the embodiment and fulfillment of each of these Old Testament prophecies.

I am taking on this task for myself, to dive into both sides of the fence and generate the links between the two.  I understand why the pastors always blitzed through all the data the way they did. The sheer volume and enormity of the details is so great that you can only really cover the high points. Unless, of course, you wanted to be on your way to getting your higher education in biblical studies! lol I can tell you, this post took my many many hours, but it was worth it! I hope you, as the reader, will find what I dug up to be interesting and informative. That it will help to deepen your own faith by knowing a bit more about the Bible and how it relates back to Jesus. It is not all-inclusive list by any means, as there are hundreds of prophecies; but it certainly covers the major high points about who Jesus said he was and who the Bible claimed Him to be.

I am so burdened in my heart for people to truly know what they believe and why. The foundation for our Christian faith is based off the Jewish laws and traditions. From there we take their prophecies, and we see Jesus emerge as the Messiah. To me, if you look at the timeframes when things were written and then you pair that to the New Testament it is quite remarkable to see how God unfolds His plan. It's so intricate and spanned well over 1000 years of writings, over 300 prophecies spanning over 15 books of the Bible to cover my list of 29. This does not consider all the different authors who did not all live in the same time span or even in proximity to one another. How can that happen without divine orchestrated intervention? How can one man fit all of these prophecies? If the Gospels were forged, how do all 4 disciples write almost the same account of events if they did not happen? Not to mention the disciples were not together when they wrote the gospels and some of them were not written within the same timeframe. (You can see this outlined below.) In many cases, there were multiple eyewitness accounts. To have one man fulfill all of these, to me, is still a miracle all on its own. When you really lay this out, it is the actual claim of the gospels - Jesus was the Messiah and a miracle from God and that God orchestrated all the events surrounding Jesus in order to fulfill each prophecy and to show us through every step of His plan who Jesus was. God never intended to hide his best creation, His Son! He wanted us to know Him, love Him and accept his gift of salvation! 

Let's first start with when these 15 different books of the Bible were written to give the timeframe of when the prophecies were made. Next, I will dive into the 29 high level prophecies throughout the Bible that point to Jesus.  I will provide the Old Testament prophecy and then provide the New Testament fulfillment. It is my hope to put this in the most simplified manner possible. 

Biblical Writings

1) Genesis - ~1450-1410 BC thought to have been written by Moses 

2) Exodus - 1440- 1400 BC written by Moses 

3) Numbers - 1450-1410 BC written by Moses

4) Isaiah - ~739- 681 BC Isaiah is known as the messianic prophet and served under the reign of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah.

5) Micah - ~735-700 BC - during the reign of Kings Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah in Judah 

6) Hosea - ~753-722- during this time the northern kingdom of Israel, as it was on the verge of being conquered by the Assyrian Empire. Jewish temple was built. Hosea wrote direct accounts of his life and prophecies later in his life. 

7) Malachi - ~450-430 BC - Malachi lives 100 years after Babylonian exile. Oddly enough Malachi did not leave identifying markers of his life. He preached messages of judgments as the people were turning away from God. 

8) Psalm - ~1500 - 500 BC by far the largest spread - Primarily written by King David 

9) Zechariah - ~570-420 BC - is an account of Zechariah's life and prophecies. He was a levite born in Babylon. Book of  Ezra it states that Zechariah and Haggai were together also in Nehemiah he is mentioned as well.

10) Matthew - ~55-65 AD, it is believed Matthew lived in Palestine when writing the gospel.

11) Mark - ~55-59 AD,  it is believed Mark livd in Rome when writing the gospel.

12) Luke - ~58-65 AD, it is believed Luke lived in Antioch Syria when writing the gospel.

13) John - ~ 70-85 AD,  it is believed John lived in Ephesus and Patmos when writing the gospel.

14) Acts - ~60-90 AD written by Luke Pauls companion and it is believed he was in Rome when writing

15) Hebrews - ~64-68 it is believed to have been written by Paul, but this is not for certain, it is also believed to have been written during Nero's persecution of Christians in Rome. 

Prophecies (Old Testament and New Testament References)

1) Descendant of Abraham - (Genesis 22:18) (Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38)

Genesis 22:18 - is when Abraham did not without Issac as a sacrifice God promised in verse 18 - "through your offspring all nations will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." 

Matthew and Luke both give an account of Jesus lineage showing he was in Abraham's direct line.

2) Tribe of Judah / House of David - (Genesis 49:10) (Matthew 1:1-17)  

Genesis 49:10 - “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” NIV

Genesis 49:10 - The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes. NKJ

The Hebrew word Shiloh is believed by many scholars to be another name for Messiah

Matthew 1:1-17 is Jesus' lineage showing he is a descendant of David / House of Judah

3) Conceived by a virgin  - (Isaiah 7:14) (Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-38)  

Isaiah 7:14  “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” 

Most of us are familiar with the Matthew and Luke account of Jesus birth. :)

4) Born in Bethlehem - (Micah 5:2) (Matthew 2:6, Luke 2:1-20)

Michael 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of  you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Ephrathah was a district in which Bethlehem was located

Again both New Testament references go along with Christ's birth telling us he was born in Bethlehem 

5) Messiah would come and dwell in our midst - (Zechariah 2:10-12) (Matthew 1:23)    

Zechariah 2: 10-12 "Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.”        

Matthew 1:23- “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).”

6) Messiah Taken to Egypt as a child - (Hosea 11:1) (Matthew 2:13-15)

Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”

Matthew 2:13-15 “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

7) Anointed by the messenger of the Lord - (Isaiah 40:3-5) (Acts 10:38, Matthew 3:3)

 Isaiah 40:3-5 “A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight  in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

 Matthew 3:3 “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”        

8) Anointed by the Holy Spirit - (Isaiah 11:2) (Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27, Acts 10:38, Hebrews 1:9)

Isaiah 11:2 “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,”

Acts 4:27 “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.”

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”  

Hebrews 1:9 “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 

9) Minister in Galilee - (Isaiah 9:1) (Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-16) 

Isaiah 9:1 “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—”

There were at least 2 eye witness accounts of these events.

Matthew 4:12-17 “When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Mark 1:14-16 “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, they were fishermen."

10) Messiah will perform miracles - (Isaiah 35:5-6) (Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all  accounts)

 Isaiah 35:5-6 “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”

All 4 gospels. There were at least 4 eye witness accounts of these events.

11) Messiah will preach the good news - (Isaiah 61:1) (Matthew 24:14, Luke 4:18, Luke 4:43, Mark 16:15)

Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners"

There were at least 3 eye witnesses to these events.

Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,”

Mark 16:15 “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

12) Messiah will cleanse the temple and John the Baptist would prepare the way for       the Messiah  - (Malachi 3:1) (Matthew 11:10 and Matthew 24, Daniel 9:27, 11:31)

Malachi 3:1 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.”

Daniel 9:27 “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

Daniel 11:31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.”

Matthew 11:10 “This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’”

Matthew 24:15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—” (Jesus was referencing Daniel 9:27)

13) Messiah will enter Jerusalem as a kid riding on a donkey - (Zechariah 9:9) (Matthew 22:5, Mark 11:1-1, Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19)  

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

All of the gospels mention Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey that means there were at least 4 eye witnesses of the event.

Matthew 22:5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

14) Rejected by the Jewish people - (Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 53:3) (Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, John 5:18, John 7:52, John 8:39-59, John 10:22-43, Luke 20:17-19)

Psalm 118:22“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;”

Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”

Matthew 21:42 “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ ?”  

John 5:18 “For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

John 7:52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet  does not come out of Galilee.” [The earliest manuscripts and many other ancient witnesses do not  have John 7:53—8:11. A few manuscripts include these verses, wholly or in part, after John 7:36,  John 21:25, Luke 21:38 or Luke 24:53.]”

 John 8:39-59 “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your         father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do             know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw  it and was glad.” “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!" “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (this is a packed passage that has some pretty awesome stuff in it if you will take a moment to read it through)

Luke 20:17-19 “Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’ ? Everyone who falls on that  stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.”

15) Messiah will be rejected by a friend - (Psalm 41:9) (Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all accounts)

Psalm 41:9 “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.”

The 4 Gospel accounts tell the story of Judas - 4 different eye witnesses

16) Messiah will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver - (Zechariah 11:12) (Matthew 26:14-16 and Matthew 27:3-10)

Zechariah 11:12 “I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.” (Biblical context here to pay a Shepard 30 pieces of silver was an insult, this was the price of a slave gored by an ox. Here we see that Jesus was sold for the price of a marred slave)

Matthew 26:14-16 “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”

Matthew 27:3-10 “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a  burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what             was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.    

17) Messiah will die a humiliating death - (Psalm 22 , Isaiah 53, and Daniel 9  (Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all accounts)

Psalm 22 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in the Lord,"  they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on             display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. I will declare your name to my people; in the  assembly I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. From you          comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him— may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the  nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told  about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!”

All 4 gospels. There were at least 4 eye witness accounts of these events.

18)  Humiliating Death - Rejection - (Isaiah 53:3) (Luke 13:34; John 1:10-11)               

Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.  Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”        

Both Gospel accounts talk about Jesus crucifixion in detail - multiple accounts.

19) Humiliating Death - Mocking - (Psalm 22:7-8) (Matthew 26:67-68, Mark 16:45, Luke 22:63-65)

Psalm 22:7-8 “All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”

Matthew 26:67-68 “Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

Mark 14:45 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Luke 22:63-65 “The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” And they said many other insulting things to him.”

Once again we have multiple eye witness accounts

20) Humiliating Death - Beating - (Isaiah 52:14) (Luke 22:63-65, Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1)

Isaiah 52:14 “Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness”

Matthew 27:26 / Mark 15:15  “Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.”

Luke 22:63-65 “The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” And they said many other insulting things to him.”

21) Piercing of his hands and feet - (Psalm 22:16, Zachariah 12:10, Isaiah 53:5) (John 20:25, John 20:27, Luke 24:39

Psalm 22:16 “Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.”

Zachariah 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”

Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

John 20:25 “So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

John 20:27 “Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Luke 24:39 “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

22) Piercing of his side - (Zechariah 12:10) (John 19:34)

Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”

John 19:34 “Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.”

23) Executed with thieves - (Isaiah 53:12) (Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:33)

Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Interesting fact: this verse is believed to be interpreted to mean transgressors were looked at as being treated like a criminal.)

Matthew 27:38 / Mark 15:27 “Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

Luke 23:33 “When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not  know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

Once again 3 eye witness recorded events saying the same thing.

24) Executioners will cast lots for his clothing - (Psalm 22:18) (Matthew 27:35, Luke 23:34 and  John 19-23-24)

Psalm 22:18 “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”

All 4 gospels tell a similar event by 4 different people.

25) Gall and vinegar to drink - (Psalm 69:21) (Matthew 27:34 and 27:48, Mark 15:23)

Psalm 69:21 “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”

Matthew 27:34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.”

Matthew 27:48 “Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.”

Mark 15:23 “Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.”

Interesting fact here gall was a bitter substance made from a poisonous plan such as wormwood or myrrh.

26) None of his bones will be broken - (Psalm 34:20, Numbers 9:12, Exodus 12:46) (John 19:36) 

Psalm 34:20 “he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.”

Numbers 9:12 “They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations.”

Exodus 12:46 “It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.”

John 19:36 “These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”

27) Messiah will be buried in a rich mans tomb - (Isaiah 53:9) (Matthew 27:57-60, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42)

Isaiah 53:9 “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”

 Matthew 27:57-60 “As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”

Luke 23:50-56 “Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”

John 19:38-42 “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with                 Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”

28) Messiah will rise from the dead - (Psalm 16:10, Psalm 49:15, Hosea 6:2, Daniel 12:2) (All 4 Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all point to Jesus rising from the dead)

Psalm 16:10 “because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.”

Psalm 49:15 “But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.”

Hosea 6:2 “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.”

Daniel 12:2 “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.”

All 4 gospels and at least 4 eye witness accounts.

29) Ascend into heaven - (Psalm 68:18, Psalm 24:7-10,  Psalm 110:1,  Daniel 7:13-14, Isaiah 53) (Acts1:9-11,  Luke 24:50-51, Ephesians 4:8 - multiple verses in Colossians, Philippians  and 1 Timothy)

Psalm 68:18 “When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious— that you, Lord God, might dwell there.”

Psalm 24:7-10 “Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory.”

Psalm 110:1 “The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

Daniel 7:13-14 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is  one that will never be destroyed.

Acts 1:9-11 “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Luke 24:50-51 “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”

Ephesians 4:8 “This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

 

Holding on to Pigs?

 

I was scrolling on social media today when I came across a post that has such an interesting perspective on a story many of us have heard. It's the story about 2 demon possessed men where Jesus cast the demons into pigs and they ran off a cliff, I am parapharsing here. In this post, I am going to break down some interesting tidbits that I have learned while diving a bit deeper into this passage myself. There are a few things that I did not know nor did I really give much thought to.

First lets recount the story here:

“When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.”Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬-‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The first thing that jumps out to me, is that even the demons knew who Jesus was. They called him "Son of God". They also knew that Jesus had the authority to choose where they should go. Interestingly they ask have you come to torture us before the appointed time - just as the Bible foretells, there is an appointed end point where the Son of Man will come and judge the earth. The demons acknowlege there will be a judgment day for them but interestingly they don't know when otherwise they would not have asked this question.  

In Revelation 20:10 "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." Now, at this time Revelation had not been written, but I do believe when the fall of Satan happened in Isaiah 14: 12-15 and Ezekiel 28 the Bible makes it clear of the judgment will be passed. I do believe, the demons knew what their fate was when they were trying to negotiate with Jesus- they knew Jesus had the authority to cast that judgement right there and then. They asked to be sent into pigs rather than be destroyed.  Once Jesus cast them into the pigs, they ran off the bank to their death. I don't think they saw that coming! Additionally, some biblical scholars believe the sea to represent the abyss. Several places within the Bible the abyss is referred to as place of the dead or the pit. These demons must have been quite powerful to throw an entire heard of pigs into the sea. Its hard to imagine the men who were overrun by these demons - the torture they must have endured!

Another interesting fact, these demon possessed men were likely Gentiles and not Jews. The reason being, is due to the raising of pigs where these men were found. Pigs for the Jewish communities were perceived as unclean and dirty animals and would have never been raised by a Jewish person. Some scholars believe this the first example of Global missions being represented.  

Now to the part that gets interesting - why did the people plead for Jesus to leave their region after he performed this miracle? I had always thought it was due to the destruction of their pigs. But what if there is a much deeper reason? Allow me to set the stage, in the midst of a miracle - two demon possessed men were miraculously healed - and a herd of pigs destroyed. Which of the two incidents had more significance? 

Try to imagine yourself there - if I were an onlooker at this, I would have been amazed by both events. Here was a man who had authority over the demons and then cast them out. The demons drove the pigs so mad they threw themselves off a steep embankment. Now, if I had been the pig herder, I would be furious! I mean there goes my lively hood over the cliff. But what about the two men? They were healed, freed and saved - maybe they had families, friends and children - they would have been rejoicing I would think. But what did the people do, they asked Jesus to leave. They would rather keep the status quo rather than risk him performing another miracle for fear Jesus would cause more chaos and destruction. It's all a matter of perception!  They would rather be comfortable than to be shaken-up, radically changed and freed from bondage. Let that sink in for a moment.

Does this situation maybe have more to say to us? Sometimes when God saves us or frees us from something there is more work that is needed. What things hold you back or cause you to stumble? Maybe friendships / relationships, idols you worship, substances you can't give up, or maybe your comfort - in order to be truly free you cannot keep going back to or doing what destroyed you. Something has to be given up and something needs to change or be torn down in your life. This aspect would be represented by the giving up of the "pigs".  This often times makes us feel uncomfortable. Let's face it, Change is HARD. But if we try and hold on to those "pigs" we stay enslaved, crushed and defeated. But what if you let that "pig" go? Maybe it's the very thing that will make you feel alive, free and whole again. 

Challenge question - what "pigs' are you holding onto in your life? What areas of your life need to be radically shaken up to reveal the things that are holding you back or keeping you enslaved?

I will leave a few versus to meditate on: 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the barren land. Isaiah 43:18-19

 

When life breaks you down Jesus is still there

 A couple of months ago, I was walking along the beach close to where I live. I was really deep in thought, I had a really bad day at work and really just felt so down (more like defeated) about a lot of things in my life. Suffice it to say I was really going through it and felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. I started to pray, and tears started to roll down my face and I was asking God to show me He is still there. And as I continued to walk, I happen to look down, to the side of me and written in the sand was "Jesus Loves You". I could barely believe my eyes,  I know in that moment, this was the message my heart needed most. I needed to know that God was still there and saw me in my time of struggle. I thanked God for letting me know He was still there and still listening.  I decided I had gone far enough and started heading home. I looked up, the sky was so beautiful as the sun was setting and there was a cross in the sky. Now, I was smiling. I went from being heavily burdened to feeling a sense of peace and calm. It's amazing how God really does know how to show up when you need Him most! 

A few weeks later, I decided to go to South Florida for a last minute trip, its not easy being so far away from where you grew up and all of the familiar things that make a place feel like home. Every once in a while, I need to experience them again and ground myself. I decided to visit one of my favorite churches. I was so blessed when I arrived to find out that it was praise and worship night! I was so excited, this is one of my favorite things about going to church. I have always loved choir and praise team and just singing my little heart out - it is always the happiest moments for me and when I feel most connected to God. But this night, I sang like I never sang before. It's funny how when you are wondering around in a metaphorical desert for so long and then you experience rain, but not just any rain - more like a flood. God's flood of love. That's what happened to me this night. I never cried so hard while singing in my life. It's crazy how a change in environment can make such a difference. When you live in a place where you are constantly being bombarded by negative things, everyone is out for themselves and the "me first" mentality- it really has a way of breaking a person down. We are in a spiritual battle whether we see it or not. I have never been more convinced that we forget how we are not just fighting the physical things we can see but there are other evil forces that are seeking to destroy each of us. I know, for a little while there I had forgotten this fact. I found myself so beaten down but God reached His hand down and pulled me out of the metaphorical mud I found myself sinking in. That night in Fort Lauderdale, was the fresh start that I didn't know I needed. I needed to let go and let God start to give me back my purpose and meaning in life. I needed to be reminded to that He was enough and He was bigger than all my problems and not to rely on humans as much as I was but to lean more into Him. Most importantly, I had to stop trying to solve all my problems on my own. There were far too many surmounting that I could not keep up with the sheer volume. God uses these moments in life to bring us back to that place of surrender.

It was revealed to me once again, everything I have been fighting for had not been in vain that there was a reason for the struggle. There were lessons I had to learn - albeit they painful to go through. In order to grow and transcend where we are, we have to go through a metamorphosis.  For me, my heart had been so heavy for so long that I didn't even realize the moment I let it go how light I would feel again!  LET IT GO!  I love how Jesus shows us He is real through the little things. You just have to be paying attention and listening! He shows each and every one of us that he cares and is watching over us even if we think He isn't. I walked into church feeling like I had been carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders and walked out with a refreshed, renewed soul - a new start! 

Part of being a christian is being real and authentic, not hiding when you struggle but speak out so others who are struggling just like me don't feel alone. None of us are perfect, none of us have this thing called life completely figured out. We are all learning as we go! 

“It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭

Maybe you are reading this right now and you are going through something heavy and you too feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulder. Can I encourage you? Throw it all down at Jesus' feet. Bow your head and pray your with all your heart. Sing like no one is listening. Let it out, cry it out! He may not give you a message in sand but I guarantee He will show up in a way you never expected. Just remember Jesus is just a prayer an away. 

“Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭94‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭

Pleasing Man or God?

 I recently heard while listening to a sermon – it was stated that: “When we displease God to please people we are doing something wrong.”

 

This got me thinking, I have always heard it said that we should help and do things for others so in a sense the bible does call us to be a sort of people pleaser and to turn the other cheek. However, there is a point where this can be taken too far. When we do something seeking human approval or please a human being only; this is where we have the propensity to take things too far or are doing them for the wrong reason. 

 

Human nature is a funny thing, isn’t it? We all have a desire to be well liked, accepted and be respected by our peers. This is a common thread for all of us. It provides a sense of community and belonging. If we are seeking human approval, it becomes a curious thing because you can do everything in your power for someone and they can still reject you. Most of the time, there is just no pleasing everyone. We will be disappointed by people and they in turn will be disappointed with us.

 

I think about Jesus and some of the examples he provided for us with some of His interactions with his disciples in the bible. Let’s first take Judas, he had a front row seat to everything Jesus had done, he heard his teachings, saw the miracles he performed and got to do everyday life with Jesus. Yet, when Judas betrayed Jesus by kissing him on the cheek, Jesus was not wrecked or devastated by this. Let’s take Peter, who Jesus had warned would betray him 3 times before the rooster crowed. This was a fact known and expressed ahead of time and yet Peter denied him. What about when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane before he was arrested, he asked the disciples to pray with him. They did not even last an hour to stay awake with Jesus. 

 

I had never thought of these interactions before in this light. Jesus was never devastated, he never got angry or blamed them. The bible describes in Matthew 26:37-42, Jesus as sorrowful and troubled and His spirit was overwhelmed as he was facing going to the cross. On top of this fact, I cannot imagine in that moment how disappointed Jesus must have felt in the people he was closest to – they deserted him in his hour of greatest need.  What about you? Has anyone deserted you in your greatest hour of need? How did it make you feel?  Imagine all the feelings you would have in that moment and yet Jesus never held a grudge against any of His friends. His hope was not in people but in God the Father and staying focused on the task that was before Him. People always have the ability to let us down but God never will!

 

“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

Matthew 26:36-42 NIV

 

As I was listening to this sermon, I was thinking about what the motives were for Judas, Peter and the disciples praying in the garden -What were they? Did they at any point get brutally honest with their own selves about how they failed Jesus? What about us, do we get brutally honest about how we fail Jesus all the time? Man, it becomes so clear how broken and undone as a people we truly are. None of us are prefect and none of us are able to 100% of the time control our emotions and treat people with love when they let us down, especially those closest to us. It takes a lot of spiritual integrity to be able to self-assess and see your inherent need for Christ in your life! We are a fallen and broken people.

 

To dig a bit deeper into the idea of motives - are we truly being conscientious about why we do what we do? I know I am not all the time; I often jump from one thing to anther during the day because it’s what expected of me to do this or that. We get caught up in the “should and the ought” to do lists. I know for me; I rarely stop long enough to really check in with myself during the day and I have been convicted to the folly of this mindset. We also need to be careful of what the motives and intentions are as we make these many decisions throughout the course of our day. Before we know it, we may end up digging a ditch for ourselves and not even realizing how we got there. I know I have done this a time or two! (*shakes head*)

 

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Galatians 1:10 NIV

 

We should live to please God, first and foremost. Do not put so much stock in what others around you are saying. God may have asked you to do something that no one else can understand, do it anyway! I think of Noah, God told him to build the biggest boat that the world had ever seen. All the people around him laughed at him. Told him he was crazy. Noah did not put stock into what man said he was solely focused on doing what God told him. Jesus is another example of how he did not let those around him distract him for His higher calling! 

 

Sometimes God picks those of us who everyone does not think can do the task that He has laid before you. There are so many examples in the bible where God did this very thing! As an example, King David, a little shepherd boy who killed a giant with a sling shot and was elevated to a king. He had the hand of God on him, but he sure had his fair share of short comings.

 

“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;”

John 12:42 NIV

 

John 12 really hits the nail on the head about the fear of what people think! Can you imagine giving up a relationship with Jesus solely based on what people may think of you. That is what happened to those Pharisees. They put more stock in people around them. I know I have experienced feeling this way before, where I was more concerned about what others may think of me or how I may offend someone and held that in higher esteem. As I am writing this, I am so deeply convicted! I am just like everyone else, with my short comings and failures. I may be well intentioned in many things I do and come from a good place but that may not always translate outward. As a result, I am grateful that God is more interested in the WHY we do what we do- as that is what is truly deep within our heart. 

 

“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:1-3 NIV

 

In closing this post, God is not really interested in what we do but is more interested in the why we do it. Be aware and brutally honest with yourself about why you do things. As that why – will be where the true growth can happen. Where God is the mirror in your heart and shines a light on a part of you that needs repair. Lastly, don’t put so much stock in what people think about you, keep Christ at the center of your focus. Don’t let doing good for others take you down the path of people pleasing. Don’t get caught up in doing things for the wrong motives.

 

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

Proverbs 29:25 NIV

The Unmatched Resolve of Christian Martyrs

 

I was recently scrolling through my feed on Facebook and I came across a person talking about the reason they believe in Christ. They cited that no other religion had so many people who were willing to give up their life for what they believed in. I decided to take this a bit further.

To google I went to see what it had to say on the matter...

Answer: “According to historical records, Christianity is widely considered to have the largest number of martyrs, particularly during its early persecution periods in the Roman Empire, where many Christians were executed for their faith.

No other religion has had so many people willing to lose their life! There MUST be something in the blood! 

After Christ’s death, his 11 disciples + Mathias who was believed to have taken Judas’ spot plus a few others mentioned in the New Testament lost their lives for the cause of Christ. (there will be a short list compiled at the end of this post) 

Imagine the scene back then, there were two major aspects against the new followers of Jesus. First, you have the Roman Empire who were persecuting the new Christians because they were preaching against the idols and pagan worship they were involved in. Second, you had the Jewish religious leaders who were persecuting the new Jewish converts who believed in Jesus because the Jews believed they were violating the Jewish law. All of the followers of Jesus after His death in about 33 AD, had a lot stacked up against them. In fact, they had to endure being thrown in prison, stoned to death, beaten, dragged to death, tortured, crucified, beheaded, cut in half, stabbed and I am sure there are additional ways that I am not listing. Back in those days, the Romans were quite creative with the many ways to kill a human being. It would seem the more gruesome the better. Try to imagine, knowing you could face certain death if you opened your mouth to speak out about Jesus? I know for me, it’s hard to imagine this growing up in America where we had always prided ourselves in religious freedom for all. I will say that lately, I am starting to see a backlash against the Christian community unlike I have ever experienced to date. I am certain that this will not be the end of it and it will continue to get much worse. There are people to this very day, that are being killed for being a Christian all over the globe. We never really get to hear much about this except for in church, where missionaries in foreign fields report back or don't report at all and we are left assuming the worst has happened.

I am not trying to make this post about gloom and doom but simply a call to urge you to open your eyes and realize the situation we are in right now. Now is the time to know why you believe in what you do and the reasons you do. Now is the time to stand up in your faith and openly profess! Now is the time to wake up to see what’s happening in the world around you and come alive in Christ – because those of us who are Christians have something so amazing inside of us and that is Christ Jesus! If only we were to fully embrace that freedom ourselves we could change the world around us.

 Let’s consider, the apostles and the other followers of Jesus such as Paul. The 12 disciples, got to talk, walk, and do life with Jesus, they saw him die and saw him rise again along with 500 other eyewitnesses. They got to hear him speak /preach and watch as he performed miracle after miracle found throughout the eye witness accounts through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

I want to take a moment to talk about Paul (also known as Saul) he is one of my favorite as he had such an amazing transformation in his faith. Saul was his name before he had his own personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul was of Jewish faith and a Roman citizen and on top of that a Pharisee (religious leader). Under the Roman command, he was killing new Christians just after Jesus was crucified and rose again sometime after 33AD onwards. He was literally hunting and killing them to preserve the Jewish faith. He believed the new Christians were blaspheming against the Jewish law. During Saul’s time as a Pharisee, there was a man named Gamaliel who was also a fellow Pharisee who advised the Sanhedrin. Gamaliel, believed that if the teachings of these new Christians were false, this fad will resolve and fade away naturally. (I am paraphrasing here) He also said that if these teachings were from God, you would not be able to stop these Christians as you would be fighting against God himself.

Read this interesting exert: “But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” Acts 5:34-42 NIV

Saul was on his way to Damascus hunting Christians, the bible literally says Saul was breathing out murderous threats again the Lord’s disciples, when he had his encounter with God. There was a light that shown from Heaven and a voice that asked Saul –“why are you persecuting me?” See Act 9 for the whole story. Saul asked : “who are you, Lord?” “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” After this encounter Saul, was blind for 3 days. God called to Annanias in a vision to go to Saul. Annanias was afraid of Saul’s reputation but still went anyway and heeded God’s call. Annanias went to Saul and laid his hands on him and said: “Bother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.” 

From this point onward Saul was known as Paul, he was a changed man and a follower of Christ. He preached throughout the land the good news of Jesus and telling his story to all who had ears. What a story it was! He underwent a HUGE transformation, from murdering Christians to being one of them! 

 It struck me, as I was thinking on all of these martyrs and those who had encounters with Jesus directly, their faith was off the charts. Can you imagine seeing your teacher whom you have been following being whipped and beaten thrown up on a cross, died and then rose again? Wouldn’t you be screaming from the roof tops what you saw and want everyone to know? I know for me, I would! 

And instantly, as I am writing this, there it is the pain in the heart – why don’t you and I live like this? If we did, can you imagine, this world would be a different place!!!! 

As I close this post with the names of the early Christians and how they died, let’s consider the cost of what Christ has done. Let’s reflect on the fact that what Gamaliel said some 2 thousand years ago came true. That this was from God because it has overcome every odd even the very threat of death could not hold back the case for Christ. Suffice it to say, the early Christians had to believe with all that was in them what they saw, experienced and witnessed and that had to be worth dying for! So shouldn’t the same be true for you and I?

No other religion can boast this claim, and no other religion has such a rich backed up history than the Jewish faith and Christianity which were brought together through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

 List of Martyrs (not comprehensive by any means) that died for the cause of Christ that were mentioned in the bible as preaching and spreading the word of Christ. It should be noted that all of these Apostles death were not mentioned in the bible but since these are actual people who lived, there are outside accounts for their death, yet again making a strong compelling claim on its own.

This Lis of some martyrs mentioned in the Bible + all 12 disciples where only one was spared a gruesome death

1.  Barnabus – attacked by a mob and beaten to death while preaching

2.  Paul (also known as Saul, as I described above) – beheaded at Nero’s hand for preaching the Gospel

3.  Peter (Disciple) was crucified upside down as he did not feel worthy of dying the same way Jesus did.

4.   Matthew (Disciple) - it is believed he was stabbed to death

5.   Mark -it is believed he was dragged to death

6.   Luke – he was hung

7.   James (Disciple) – stoned and clubbed to death at the age of 90

8. James Son of Alphaeus (Disciple) - stoned to death by the Jews while preaching

9. Thaddeus  (Disciple) –it is believed he was decapitated

10.  Stephen one of the first Christians to die – stoned to death

11.  James brother of Zebadee (Disciple) – Killed By Herod Agrippa

12.  Philip (Disciple) – Crucified

13. Mythias- it is believed he filled the space for Judas (Disciple) – stoned and beheaded

14.  Andrew brother of Peter (Disciple) -crucified

15. Thomas (Disciple)  -stabbed to death

16. Simon the Zealot  (Disciple)-it is believed he was crucified or he was cut in half

17. Bartholomew  (Disciple)– it is believed he was either cut in half or beheaded or combo of both

18. John the Baptist - executed by beheading by Herod Antipas

John (Disciple) was believed to be the only one spared and went on to write revelation - died of old age.