His coming was predicted

The coming of Jesus Christ as the son of God and the savior of the world was promised, foretold, and foreshadowed many times before His birth.

Adam and many of the early prophets were commanded by God to offer animal sacrifices as the way to worship Him. Abraham, “the father of the faithful,” was commanded to offer his own son as a sacrifice: a terrifying test of his faith and obedience. At the last moment, God sent his angel to stop the sacrifice and provided a ram. The experience was a parallel of God giving His Son, Jesus Christ. Abraham believed in the resurrection, even that God could raise up Isaac if he had gone through with it. Abraham saw in vision the future day when Christ would come, and was glad.

Abraham’s grandson Jacob blessed Judah to be the leader, until Shiloh (the Messiah) would come. Genesis 49:10 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob knew that they had been promised the Savior would be born through their lineage: “The shepherd, the stone of Israel.”

Jacob’s beloved son Joseph, was sold by his brothers into slavery, but by faithfulness saved the known world from famine. He was a type of Jesus Christ. After four generations in Egypt, the people of God were brought into bondage. Their prayers for deliverance were heard, and God sent a deliverer: Moses.

Truly Moses was a archetype of Christ: a prince, who was a shepherd, who gave up a kingdom to deliver God’s people from bondage. Moses predicted the coming a prophet that would be like himself, who all people would need to give attention to if they wish to be in good standing with God. (Deut.18:15) Jesus Christ confirmed that He was that prophet.

In Moses’ time the final price or plaque that freed the Israelites from Egypt was the death of the firstborn of every household. The people of God were instructed to sacrifice a lamb, and paint the blood of that lamb over the posts of their door. This was the sign of their belief in God, that protected them from the plague or curse which, in one night, killed all of the firstborn in the land of Egypt. The Jewish holiday of Passover was kept every year to commemorate this event that delivered them from slavery.

When the time came for Jesus Christ to give his life, it was the Passover. He was the lamb without blemish, and not a bone was broken. As John the baptist predicted, He was “the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world.” John 1:29

Jesus was often called “the son of David.” David was a respected king, and Jesus Christ came through his lineage. David was an archetype of Christ in several ways: a shepherd, who delivered Israel from impending bondage to their Philistine enemies. The giant Goliath can be understood to represent the things that threaten us with captivity. Unless one man was brave enough to battle him, all the people would be enslaved. Like David, Jesus Christ figuratively slew the giant and overcame the obstacles to our eternal happiness and freedom, including sin and death.

Many of the Psalms of David are Messianic or predict little details about the life of Jesus Christ. Such as

“Thou are my Son; this day have I begotten thee” (Psalm 2:7)

Thou are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (110:4)

“The stone which the builders refused is become the head” 118:22

In my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 69:9

“…the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. My God, my God, Why hast thou forsaken me?” (22:16-18, 1)

Thou has led captivity captive. (68:18)

Many other prophets have foretold bits and pieces of the life and mission of the Messiah. Here’s a link to a good list, and I’ll list a few more of the highlights.

Job said “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and shall stand upon the earth at a latter day.” He also bore his witness of the resurrection.

Micah predicted Christ would be born in Bethlehem.

Zechariah predicted that the savior’s life would be valued at thirty pieces of silver, and said ” I was wounded in the house of my friends.”

The most clear and beautiful prophesies about our savior come from Isaiah, who wrote nearly 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ:

“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 7:14)

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: …
He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the price of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5

It is significant that this history of the events of the Old Testament has been kept by the Jewish people, who while not believing in Jesus Christ, nonetheless hold a history full of predictions about a coming messiah, and full of prophesies that parallel the life of Jesus Christ.

In our world of increasing disbelief we may be increasingly out of touch with these predictions and parallels. But taken together they form a beautiful tapestry as the backdrop for the life and mission of our savior Jesus Christ.

I am grateful for Him, and the ways He is helping me along. I’m grateful He came to bear our burdens, and pay the price of our peace.