Why did Christ need to fulfill The Scripture ?

  

Did Jesus die on the cross to fulfill the scripture 

or to absolve us of our sin?

Consider the old testament prophets...

Isaiah prophecy of Jesus crucifixion and resurrection

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed .. the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted .. he was led like a lamb to the slaughter .. by oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living. For the transgression of my people he was stricken .. After the suffering of his soul he will see the light of life and be satisfied. By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many. (Isaiah 53: 5-11)

The Prophecy of the Crucifixion in the Psalms

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?… I am … scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. … I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me… a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet…I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me .. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. .. All the ends of the earth will remember… Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn. (Psalm 22, ca 1000 BC)

Jesus, while on the cross did call out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”(5). In doing so Jesus was pointing to Psalm 22 which opens with the same words. As one reads that Psalm, the highlights of which I have produced, one gets a description of the crucifixion of Jesus, in first person, including the mocking and insults he received, the dislocating of the joints, the piercing of hands and feet, the dividing of garments. How was David, the author of Psalm 22, able to get such an accurate visualization of the crucifixion 1000 years before it occurred? And notice how the Psalm ends. It describes the legacy or effect of this person. It says that generations following the crucifixion will be told about it. And here we are about 2000 years after the crucifixion studying aspects of it – just as David predicted.

Zechariah picks up from Jeremiah and predicts more about the coming Branch of David.

The day Jesus (Yeshua) died he did so for the sins of all people. So literally, in a single day the sins of the land were removed. In a sense, Jesus’ name and victory over sin were predicted 500 years before he lived.

Birthplace of Jesus prophesied

“But you, Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 written 700 BC…

It is common to note and believe that Jesus died for our sins… To enable us to have forgiveness and to be born again… However it is also true that Jesus died to fulfil the scriptures..

Matthew 26……51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Why does he need to pay such a price to make the scriptures correct or fulfil the scriptures; Because God wanted Christ to be a perfect example for us… Further it is undeniable of the power of “truth” in the scriptures hundreds of years prior to the birth of Christ and that is what God wanted Jesus to prove to all of us… So that we may have a clear path to walk… understanding the centuries of sacrifice to include the death of His son .. There is no excuse for our lack of knowledge or lack of faith or an incapacity to believe.. God made it so… 

Let us pray - 

We thank thee tonight for all of our gifts and blessings that thou hast bestowed upon us… We ask for your blessing on this small bible study that we may gain insight and direction that is pleasing to you. Direct our walk that we may set example for others and purify our talk that out of our mouths come the righteous truths as we following the footsteps of Jesus….

We ask that our small group be blessed with good health naturally and spiritually. Help those that struggle with your word . Soften our hearts so that forgiveness can be possible. Guide us toward wisdom…

We ask these things in Jesus’ name…..