TWENTY-FOUR HOURS IN THE LIFE OF JESUS
The following is based on a sermon preached by Mr Campbell at the Revival Centre Fellowship, Ballymena on Palm Sunday, 1986.
INTRODUCTION
This week I received in my mail two booklets distributed by the Islamic Propagation Centre, one of them referring to our Lord Jesus, is entitled The God That Never Was, and the theme of both of them is that our blessed Lord and Saviour, was a fake, a fraud and a charlatan who had failed to measure up to the Old Testament predictions concerning the Messiah who was to come. Yet in spite of what men might say, the entire life of our Lord was one continuous fulfilment of literally hundreds of prophecies given centuries before as the Spirit of God had inspired the Prophets of the Old Testament era. Just this morning we are recalling Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where He was greeted by the palm waving multitudes singing their loud Hosannas. That event was a direct fulfilment of the prophet Zechariah’s forecast at least five centuries earlier:
“Rejoice greatly 0 daughter of Zion; shout 0 daughter of Jerusalem: behold thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” – (ZECHARIAH 9:9)
We don’t have the time today to look at every single prophecy which was fulfilled in the life of our Lord, but we are going to examine just one day, one short period of twenty-four hours, and demonstrate to you, how in that brief time span alone, some twenty-four prophecies found fulfilment.
1) The Old Testament foretold that our Lord would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver:
PROPHECY:
“And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.” – (ZECHARIAH 11:12)
FULFILMENT:
“Then one of the twelve, called Judas lscariot went unto the chief priests, and said unto them what will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” – (MATTHEW 26:14-15)
2) The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would be betrayed by a close and trusted friend:
PROPHECY:
“Yea mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” – (PSALM 41:9)
FULFILMENT:
“And while he yet spake, lo Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he, hold him fast: And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail Master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend wherefore art thou come? Then came they and laid hands on Jesus and took him.” – (MATTHEW 26:47-50)
3) The Old Testament foretold that the betrayal price would be used to buy a potter’s field:
PROPHECY:
“And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the lord.” – (ZECHARIAH 11:13)
FULFILMENT:
“Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood. And they said what is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the Temple, and departed and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called The Field of Blood, unto this day.” – (MATTHEW 27:3-8)
4) The Old Terstament foretold that the Disciples would forsake Jesus:
PROPHECY:
“Awake, 0 sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts: smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.” – (ZECHARIAH13:7)
FULFILMENT:
“But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.” – (MATTHEW 26:56)
5) The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would be accused by false witness:
PROPHECY:
“False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.” – (PSALM 35:11)
“For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.” – (PSALM 109:2)
FULFILMENT:
“Now the chief priests, and elders and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus to put him to death; but found none: yea though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses.” – (MATTHEW 26:59-60)
6) The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would be abused and spat upon:
PROPHECY:
“I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.” – (ISAIAH 50:6)
FULFILMENT:
“And they spit upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head.” – (MATTHEW 27:30)
“And when they had blindfolded him they struck him on the face.” – (LUKE 22:64)
7) The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would be silent In the face of His accusers:
PROPHECY:
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” – (ISAIAH 53:7)
FULFILMENT:
“And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? and he answered him to never a word.” – (MATTHEW 27:12-14)
“Who,when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” – (I PETER 2:23)
8) The Old Testament foretold that our Lord would be wounded and bruised:
PROPHECY:
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – (ISAIAH 53:5)
FULFILMENT:
“…and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns they put it upon his head…” – (MATTHEW 27:26-29)
9) The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would fall under His Cross:
PROPHECY:
“My knees are weak through fasting and my flesh faileth of fatness.” – (PSALM 109:24)
FULFILMENT:
“And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian … and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.” – (LUKE 23:26)
10) The Old Testament foretold that the hands and feet of our Lord would be pierced:
PROPHECY:
“…the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” – (PSALM 22:16)
FULFILMENT:
“And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him.” – (LUKE 23:33)
“But Thomas … said unto them, except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe … Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless but believing.” – (JOHN 20:25-27)
11) The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would be crucified along with thieves:
PROPHECY:
“He hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors: and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” – (ISAIAH 53:12)
FULFILMENT:
“And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.” – (MARK 15:27-28)
12) The Old Testament foretold that our Lord would pray for his persecutors:
PROPHECY:
“For my love they are my adversaries but I give myself unto prayer.” – (PSALM 109:4)
FULFILMENT:
“Then said Jesus, Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” – (LUKE 23:34)
13) The Old Testament foretold that the mocking crowds would shake their heads at Jesus:
PROPHECY:
“All they that see me laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head…” – (PSALM 22:7)
FULFILMENT:
“And they that passed by reviled him wagging their heads.” – (MATTHEW 27:39)
14) The Old Testament foretold that the crowds would mock our Lord:
PROPHECY:
“He trusted on the Lord, that he would deliver him: let him deliver him seeing he delighted in him.” – (PSALM 22:8)
FULFILMENT:
“Likewise also the chief priests, mocking him, with the Scribes and Elders said He saved others; himself he cannot save, If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” – (MATTHEW 27:41-43)
15) The Old Testament foretold that the people would stare at Jesus during the agony of Crucifixion:
PROPHECY:
“I may tell all my bones, they look and stare upon me.” – (PSALM 22:17)
“As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.” – (ISAIAH 52:14)
FULFILMENT:
“And the people stood beholding and the rulers also with them…” – (LUKE 23:35)
16) The Old Testament foretold that men would gamble for the garments of Jesus:
PROPHECY:
“They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” – (PSALM 22:18)
FULFILMENT:
“Then the soldiers when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.” – (JOHN 19:23-24)
17) The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would cry out on the Cross:
FULFILMENT:
“My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” – (PSALM 22:1)
FULFILMENT:
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying, Eli! Eli! Lama Sabacthani? that is to say My God! My God! why hast thou forsaken me?” – (MATTHEW 27:46)
18) The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would commit Himself into the hands of His Father, on the Cross:
PROPHECY:
“Into Thine hands I commit my spirit.” – (PSALM 31:5)
FULFILMENT:
“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father into thine hands I commend my spirit.” – (LUKE 23:46)
19) The Old Testament foretold that our Lord would be offered vinegar and gall to drink:
PROPHECY:
“They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” – (PSALM 69:21)
FULFILMENT:
“They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.” – (MATTHEW 27:34)
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.” – (JOHN 19:28-29)
20) The Old Testament foretold that at the Crucifixion of Jesus, His friends would stand far off:
PROPHECY:
“My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.” – (PSALM 38:11)
FULFILMENT:
“And his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things.” – (LUKE 23:49)
21) The Old Testament foretold that in death the bones of Jesus would not be broken:
PROPHECY:
“He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.” – (PSALM 34:20)
FULFILMENT:
“But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: … For these things were done that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.” – (JOHN19:33-36)
22) The Old Testament foretold that the side of Jesus would be pierced:
PROPHECY:
“…and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced…” – (ZECHARIAH 12:10)
FULFILMENT:
“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water … And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.” – (JOHN 19:34 & 37)
23) The Old Testament foretold that darkness would cover the land at the time of the Crucifixion:
PROPHECY:
“And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.” – (AMOS 8:9)
FULFILMENT:
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.” – (MATTHEW 27:45)
“And the sun was darkened and the veil of the Temple was rent in the midst.” – (LUKE 23:45)
24) The Old Testament foretold that Jesus would be buried in a rich man’s tomb:
PROPHECY:
“And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence neither was any deceit in his mouth.” – (ISAIAH 53:9)
FULFILMENT:
“When the even was come there came a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’s disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged, the body of Jesus … and when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock:” – (MATTHEW 27:57-60)
CONCLUSION
So we see that in the space of one twenty-four hour day, some twenty four prophecies from the Old Testament were fulfilled in the betrayal, arrest, trials, crucifixion and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ. He lived, He died, He rose again victorious over sin and death, He ascended into the Heavens where “He ever liveth to make intercession for us” and some day soon He is
going to fulfil the remaining prophecies of the Bible, by returning in power and great glory to establish His righteous Kingdom which shall never end. No wonder that Peter says that the message of fulfilled prophecy is a light that shines amidst the darkness. This same Jesus Christ the centre and pivot of all prophecy came “to seek and to save that which was lost”– and should any reading this message still not know Him as their Saviour, and still lack the joy and peace of knowing that their sins are forgiven, we remind you that the Scripture plainly says “God … now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” – (ACTS 17:30)
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” – (ACTS 16:31)
(Alan Campbell is a Graduate of London University and the Head of Religious Studies at a High School near Belfast. He is the Author of a number of prophetic Study Booklets and has lectured throughout the United Kingdom, the USA and in Australia.)
