Seeing and Believing

 

Good Friday is a day that brought great sadness to the followers of Jesus because it was the day that Jesus died on the cross. But on Sunday morning, that sadness changed to joy. The earth grew dark at midday, fulfilling what Amos, the prophet, had predicted. All but John had fled, and now after Jesus’ death, the hours that followed were filled with confusion and hopelessness. The Friday that Jesus was crucified was the darkest day in the disciples’ lives. They had found hiding places for fear they would be next.

Four women, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, Salome, and Joanna, came to the tomb early Saturday morning to finish preparing Jesus’ body. They found the tomb empty and were confused. Did someone steal his body? Did Joseph move the body? Mary Magdalene immediately returned to tell Peter about the empty tomb.

Peter and John ran to the tomb to see for themselves. John outran Peter, looked into the tomb, and saw the empty grave wrappings but stopped at the entrance to allow Peter to enter first. Peter studied the linen strips lying there and the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head all folded up.

While Peter was processing everything in his mind, John believed that Jesus was alive. The scriptures say that he saw and understood. That makes John the first person to believe in the resurrection of Jesus (John 20:6-8). John saw the wrappings—everything was in its appropriate place, but Jesus was gone, and there was no body! To John, it was clear that no one had taken the body! Jesus was alive, and John knew it. “Can’t you see it, Peter!” This stone has been moved for our benefit. John was ready to sing with Mariam “Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea” (Exodus 15:21). That enemy was death, and Jesus had defeated him!

Prophesy Fulfilled

 

There are over 400 messianic prophesies about Jesus in the Old Testament. They offer convincing proof of the authenticity of the Bible. Here are a few about the crucifixion. Even more remarkable, these prophesies were spoken nearly 300 years before the Romans even invented crucifixion as a method of execution.

Prophesy of Jesus’ innocence: Isaiah 53:9 though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Fulfillment: John 18:38 “I find no basis for a charge against him.”

Prophesy that he would be betrayed by an intimate friend: Psalms 41:9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. Fulfillment: Matthew 26:48-49 “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”

Prophesy that he would be mocked: Psalms 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.” Fulfillment: Mark 15:17-20 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him…

Prophesy that Jesus would be counted as a criminal: Isaiah 53:12 and was numbered with the transgressors. Fulfillment: Luke 23:32-33 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 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.

Prophesy that that Jesus would have his hands and feet pierced: Psalms 22:16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. Fulfillment: John 19:18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

Prophesy men would gamble for his clothing: Ps 22:18 They divide my clothes…and cast lots for my garment. Fulfillment: Lk 23:34 And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Prophesy Jesus would be forsaken by God: Psalms 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?... Fulfillment: Mark 15:34 …Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

Prophesy that his bones would not be broken: Psalms 34:20 he protects all his bones,not one of them will be broken. Fulfillment: John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

Prophesy that he his side would be pierced: Zechariah 12:10 They will look on me, the one they have pierced, Fulfillment: John 19:33-34 …one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.

Prophesy that he would be buried in a rich man’s tomb: Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, Fulfillment: Matthew 27:57-60 …there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph…[who] took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock.

Prophesy about Jesus’ thirst on the Cross: Psalms 22:14-15 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. Fulfillment: John 19:28-29 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished…Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.