We have entered the season of Advent. This is a time when we look forward to our celebration of the birth of Jesus and his coming to earth.
What I would like for us to think about for Advent this year, is the amazing way in which the coming of Jesus was foretold, foreshadowed and prophetically pointed to so many centuries before he came.
And today, in connection with our celebration of the Lord’s Supper, I would like for us to look at some of these Old Testament texts that focus on Jesus’ death and resurrection.
These are important Scriptures because, the idea of the Messiah dying and being raised from the dead was not something that was generally expected. Even Jesus’ own disciples didn’t know what to think of all this when it happened. But yet it was there to be seen for the one with eyes to see.
Now, there are so many here that I am being very selective. But here are some of these . . .
Foretellings of Jesus’ death & resurrection
1. He was betrayed by one who ate bread with him: Psalm 41:9 – “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.”
This is a Davidic Psalm and David was seen as a type (an image or model) of the coming Messiah, his descendent. So, he foreshadows what Messiah will be like. Another way to say it is that there are correspondences between:
- David’s life and words &
- Jesus’ life and words
As Peter says in Acts 2:30-31, David speaks prophetically about Jesus, and we could also say that he prophetically models aspects of Jesus life.
And this is what is going on in Psalm 41. Just like happened with David, so with Jesus. Judas, one of the twelve, betrayed Jesus after eating bread with him at the Last supper – John 13:8. Jesus said in this verse, “But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’”
2. He was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver: Zechariah 11:12 – “And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver.”
The latter chapters of Zechariah have a number of prophetic references and allusions to Jesus. This is just one of many.
And indeed, Jesus was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver – Matthew 27:3/9.
3. He was among the “lawless”: Isaiah 53:12 – “He was numbered with the transgressors.”
Isaiah has a long prophetic description of Jesus’ servanthood, suffering and death. This is one example.
Jesus was arrested with his disciples as they acted as criminals with their swords – Luke 22:35-38; 47-53. This is noted as a fulfillment of Isaiah.
4. He was deserted by his followers: Zechariah 13:7 – “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”
The key word here is “Shepherd” which means ruler, and prophetically points to the Messiah, the ruler of Israel.
When Jesus was arrested, his disciples deserted him – Mark 14:50-52.
Jesus predicted this, based on this passage in Zechariah ahead of time, before the arrest, when he said, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’” Mark 14:27
5. He was silent before his accusers: Isaiah 53:7 – “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”
Jesus did not defend himself at his trial – Matthew 26:63.
6. They pierced his hands and feet: Psalm 22:16 – “They have pierced my hands and feet.”
This is a Davidic Psalm which tells the whole story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This speaks to his crucifixion.
Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced as they were nailed to the cross – Luke 23:33.
7. He was mocked on the cross: Psalm 22:7-8 – “All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads. He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him.”
Jesus was mocked on the cross – Mark 15:29-32; Matthew 27:43.
8. They cast lots for his garment: Psalm 22:18 – “They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
The soldiers divided Jesus’ clothes by casting lots – Matthew 27:35. John 19:23-24 notes this as a fulfillment of this Scripture.
9. He was given sour wine: Psalm 69:21 – “for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.”
This is also a Davidic Psalm.
Jesus was given sour wine on the cross – John 19:28-30.
10. He died: Isaiah 53:8 – “By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people.”
Jesus died on the cross – John 19:30.
11. He was pierced: Zechariah 12:10 – “they will look on him whom they have pierced.”
Jesus was pierced in the side by a spear on the cross – John 19:33-37. The last verse noting that this is a fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10.
12. He was connected to the rich in death: Isaiah 53:9 – “He was with a rich man in death.”
Joseph of Arimethia, a well to do man, put Jesus in his tomb – John 19:38-42; Luke 23:50-53.
And so he was buried, but . . .
13. He was not abandoned to death (or Sheol, the place of the dead): Psalm 16:10 – “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.”
This is also a Davidic Psalm.
Jesus did not stay dead as we know from the resurrection accounts. And both Peter and Paul see this as David speaking prophetically of Jesus being freed from death – Acts 2:24-31; Acts 13:35-37.
14. He was raised from the dead: Psalm 2:7 – “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.’”
This was considered to be a Messianic Psalm. It speaks of God’s “anointed” (Messiah or Christ).
Jesus was raised from the dead. And Paul refers this Psalm to Jesus’ resurrection in Acts 13:32-33. Begotten here means resurrected – ‘Today I have raised you to life.’
15. He was exalted to sit at God’s right hand: Psalm 110:1 – “The Lord said to my lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”
This was also considered to be a Messianic Psalm. Here David speaks of two Lords – God and then of his lord, a reference to the coming Messiah; that he would sit by God’s side.
Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God. This is seen as a clear fulfillment of this scripture by numerous New Testament texts. As one example, Peter refers to it in Acts 2:34-35.
So this is a sample for you of what was foretold.
Jesus taught his disciples about these foretellings
After Jesus’ death, his disciples were dismayed and confused. So Jesus came to them and said, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these thing and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.” – Luke 24:25-27.
These are some of the same texts that Jesus would have referred to, as he taught his disciples that he had to die and be raised.
So, it was foretold that Messiah would come in this way to save us. And it happened! He laid down his life for us and was raised up to bring us salvation. And now we look back and remember it as we celebrate the Lord’s supper together.
William Higgins
