I will once again postpone my article on Jesus’ resurrection for a later time (as I am reading a fantastic book on this event) and focus closer to the life of Jesus. If you have missed the five previous articles in this series please click on the following links (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5).
Returning to our introduction, can you remember back to those younger days when Christmas drew closer? I want you now to put on the shoes of a Jewish person living in the Middle East, about 2000 years ago. The Jewish people of this time were waiting for a king who would come and rescue them from terrible rule of the Roman Empire. This king would bring about eternal peace between God and the human race (see Christians Believe Part 1 and Part 2 for more information). Finally, on the first Christmas, the king arrived and he was named Jesus.
Like an eager young child at Christmas, the Jews were eagerly awaiting this king. As Christmas is almost here, today, I am going to give you the criteria, from the Old Testament ( firest section of the bible before Jesus arrived) for this global conquering Christmas king. Beside each criterion is a bible reference about this king and how it is fulfilled in Jesus from the New Testament (second section of the bible during Jesus life and after), which is linked to RefTagger – simply scroll over the top of the reference and the bible passage will pop-up. All references are from Mark Driscoll’s Vintage Jesus – Chapter 3, which I strongly recommend you check out – he is a gifted Pastor and author!
The Strict Criteria for the Christmas King
* The King would come from the family of Abraham, the Patriarch from the Old Testament (Genesis 12:3, 17:19, 49:10; Numbers 24:17). At the beginning of Matthew, Jesus family tree is detailed showing that he descended from the family of Abraham (Matthew 1:1-2).
* The King would be born of a virgin and he would be named Immanuel, which means God with us (Isaiah 7:14). The Gospel of Matthew explains that Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, to a virgin woman named Mary (Matthew 1:18-23).
* The King would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). As you may know, Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7).
* The King’s family would escape to Egypt to save his life when he was young (Hosea 11:1). Jesus parents, Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to evade King Herod (Matthew 2:13-15).
* The King would never rebel (sin) against God (Isaiah 53:9). Jesus, Peter explains never sinned once – he was perfect (1 Peter 2:21-22).
* The King would enter the Jewish temple (Malachi 3:1). This is an important fact to the argument as the temple was destroyed in 70AD, and Jesus entered this very temple (Luke 2:25-27).
* The King would have a messenger who would prepare the way for him (Isaiah 40:3). John the Baptist, Jesus cousin, prepared the people for the arrival of Jesus (Matthew 3:1-3).
* The King would do amazing miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6). Jesus healed the blind, the deaf, the lame and the mute. He even raised people from the dead (Matthew 11:2-5).
* The King would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). Jesus, days before his death, rode into Jerusalem as a donkey and people greeted him as a king (Luke 19:28, 35-38).
* The King would be betrayed by a friend for exactly thirty pieces silver (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12-13). Jesus was betrayed by his friend and disciple, Judas Iscariot for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:49-50, 14-15, 27:5-7).
* The King would be beaten up and mocked by crowds (Isaiah 50:6). Jesus was beaten and mocked by crowds of people and soldiers (Matthew 26:67).
* People would gamble for the Kings clothing (Psalm 22:18). During Jesus execution, soldiers gambled for his garments (John 19:23-24).
* The King would eventually be hated and rejected and he would defend himself (Isaiah 53:3, 7). Jesus was most definitely hated and rejected (Matthew 27:39-44, 12).
* Before crucifixion was even invented, it was predicted that the King would be crucified (Psalm 22:16). Jesus was executed by mode of crucifixion (Luke 23:33).
* The King would be killed with sinners (Isaiah 53:12). Jesus was crucified between two criminals (Matthew 27:38).
* By two different prophets, it was predicted that during the execution, none of the kings bones would be broken (Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20). None of Jesus bones were broken during his execution (John 19:32-36).
* The King would die (Isaiah 53:8). Jesus most definitely died (Luke 23:46).
* The King would be buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9). Jesus, a poor man, was buried in the tomb that belonged to a rich man named Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-60).
* Again predicted by two different prophets, the King would resurrect from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:10-11). Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion (Acts 2:25-32).
* The King would ascend to heaven with the souls of dead Christians (Psalm 68:18). Jesus ascended into heaven with the souls of dead Christians (Ephesians 4:7-10).
* The King would sit at the right hand of God ruling the Universe (Psalm 110:1). Jesus, to this very day is sitting at the right hand of the Father ruling (Hebrews 1:3).
Our Eternal Christmas Gift
Jesus clearly and emphatically meets the job description of the King. We all live in a broken world in desperate need of a good king. Therefore, Jesus fits the description for this very king, for whom the Jews were long waiting for. My plead through all of this is today is that you might come to live for Jesus. Christmas is truly and solely about Jesus the king. Why not make this Christmas about Jesus? I’ve given you the facts so please digest them and consider making him your king!
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