CSI: Easter 3 of 5 in Series
Fingerprints of Jesus
INTRODUCTION
So far, in our investigation of the resurrection we have looked at Biblical, Medical and Historical evidence. We have also looked at the man himself, Jesus of Nazareth. We studied who man claimed Jesus was and who the bible claimed Jesus was. Our investigation has looked at much of the evidence surrounding the resurrection and found man’s claims to be wanting.
But what about the proverbial "smoking gun?" Is there one? One we could point to and erase all doubt. Where’s the DNA, the fingerprints? Today I want us to look at the "fingerprints" that point to the validity of Jesus’ claims and his resurrection.
If I had here before me a pool table, started taking shots and making them you might claim, "Hey, he’s just lucky." However, what if I called each shot before I struck them? Luck would then be out of the equation and you would be forced to acknowledge my accomplishments. That is what the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is it is a "called shot." God’s prophets’ years beforehand said certain things about the Messiah that eventually were fulfilled in Jesus.
Jesus himself even acknowledged the validity of these prophesies. "Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. 33On the third day he will rise again." (Luke 18:31—33) 37It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” (Luke 22:37) 44He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44)
These prophesies and Jesus fulfilling each one of them are his "fingerprints" at the scene. They cannot be denied.
MAIN BODY
I. Preliminary Analysis
A. The Messiah would be "Born of a Virgin."
1. His name will be Immanuel (Isa. 7:14)
2. FULFILLED (Matt. 1:18—23)
B. The Messiah would be a "son of David"
1. From the "stump of Jesse" (David’s father) (Isa. 11:1)
2. FULFILLED (Matt. 1:1)
C. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him
1. Isa. 11:2
2. FULFILLED (Matt. 3:16)
II. Digging Deeper
A. One will come before Him
1. Sent to prepare the way (Isa. 40:3—5)
2. FULFILLED (Matt. 3:1—3)
B. He will preach good news to those who need it most
1. Proclaiming the year of the Lord (Isa. 61:1—3)
2. FULFILLED (Luke 4:16—21)
C. He will bring light to the Galilee
1. In the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali (Isa 9:1-2)
2. FULFILLED (Matt. 4:12—16)
III. Final Analysis
A. Men will despise and reject Him
1. Isa. 53:1—3
2. FULFILLED (John 1:10—11)
B. He would suffer for our sins
1. Isa. 53:4—6, 8
2. FULFILLED 1 Peter 2:24
C. He would remain silent before his accusers
1. Isa. 53:7
2. FULFILLED Matt. 27:12—14
D. He would endure all this on our behalf in accordance to God’s will
1. Isa. 53:10—12
2. FULFILLED Acts 2:22—23
CONCLUSION
These are just a few of the 300+ prophesies about Jesus Christ which were fulfilled in him. Just one fingerprint is enough to send a man to prison, even to death in a court of law. How many do you need to convince you that Jesus is the Christ? The Ethiopian Eunuch needed only these we have looked at today.
Read Acts 8:30—39
