Part 12 of 12 / The Fulfillment: The Coming Of The Messiah, Jesus Christ
- Chris Houser
- Aug 30
- 4 min read
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets; i have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them." - (Matthew 5:17)
Introduction
After centuries of waiting, silence, and expectation, the story of Israel finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
The Old Testament left Israel longing for 4 major things:
A King Greater Than David
A Prophet Greater Than Moses
A Priest Greater Than Aaron
A Deliverer Greater Than The Maccabees
When the time was right, God acted on behalf of His people, Israel.
"But when the set time had fully come, God sent His son, born of a woman, born under the law . . ." - Galatians 4:4
Jesus is the CLIMAX of Israel's complete history, the center of God's plan of redemption, and the hope of the nations.
Jesus As The Fulfillment Of The Law And The Prophet
Every promise God made to Israel finds its Yes and Amen in Jesus - (2 Corinthians 1:20)
The sacrifices all pointed to His once-for-all sacrifice of Himself - (Hebrews 10:10)
The prophets spoke of Him - (Luke 24:27)
The covenants anticipated His coming Kingdom.
The Lesson: The Old Testament was never a closed story, it was always pointing forward to Jesus.
Birth Of The Messiah
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, fulfilling Micah 5:2.
He was born of a virgin, named Mary, which fulfilled Isaiah 7:14.
He was announced by angels, visited by shepherds and wise men, and His birth declared Him Savior of both Jew and Gentile.
The Lesson: God's promises may take some time, but He always fulfills them in His perfect timing.
The Ministry Of Jesus
Preaching The Kingdom
Jesus declared the arrival of God's reign on the earth - (Mark 1:15)
Miracles, Signs, And Wonders
Jesus demonstrated His authority over nature, sickness, demons, and death.
Teaching With Authority
Unlike the scribes, He revealed God's heart with power and clarity.
Calling Disciples
He formed a new covenant community, the beginning of His Church.
The Cross And The Resurrection
Jesus died as the Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world - (John 1:29)
He fulfilled Isaiah as the Suffering Servant who bore our sins - (Isaiah 53)
On the third day, He rose again, conquering sin and death - (John 11:25)
His resurrection is the foundation of our faith and the beginning of new creation.
The Lesson: Israel longed for deliverance from Rome, but Jesus raised the standard by coming to deliver humanity from sin and eternal death. When He comes again, He will rule with iron rule for 1,000 years.
The Mission To The Nations
Before ascending, Jesus gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). What began with Israel in the beginning, now opened itself for all nations to receive salvation. The gospel then spread throughout Roman roads, synagogues, and in Greek language, while all being part of God's preparation in the Silent Years. God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:3) was fulfilled in and through Jesus.
Application
This week, take a moment to read Matthew 1-5 and look for Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled by Christ. Tell someone, not only how you found Jesus and how He saved you, but how the whole Bible points to Jesus. Ask God to help you be bold in your faith, to share it with conviction, because our mission as believers is to tell all of the Gospel of what Jesus has done.
Reflection Questions
How does seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's history deepen your understanding of the Old Testament?
Why is it important that Jesus fulfills, rather than abolishes, the Law and the Prophets?
What does His death and resurrection mean for your personal walk with God?
How can you live as part of God's ongoing mission to the nations?
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, Father in Heaven, You are the fulfillment of every promise, the hope of Israel, and the Savior of the world and her peoples. Thank You for completing the story of redemption through your Son and opening a way for us to be apart of Your kingdom. Strengthen us to follow You, proclaim You, and wait with hope for Your return very soon. In Your Holy and Precious Name, Jesus, Amen.
Conclusion
The story of Israel began with covenant promise to Abraham back in Genesis and it ends with its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Yet the story is NOT over. Just as Israel awaited His first coming, we now await His second coming. The history of Israel points us forward to the day when Christ will reign in glory for 1,000 years and promises us that we will see the New Heavens and the New Earth very soon.
UPCOMING STUDY
Our next study has been weighing on my heart for quite some time. I'm sure by now you've seen videos surfacing on Social Media about September 23, 2025 and how people are claiming the Feast of Trumpets and the Rapture are linked. Do I deny that Christ can use Feasts to bring about something as
significant as the Rapture of the Church? No. Do I believe in date setting? No. Do I think it is unwise to mislead believers into focusing on a date? Yes. So, our next study is going to be on the End Times which is the study of Eschatology. We will focus on the End Times Signs, the Rapture of the Church, the Anti-Christ, the Tribulation Period, The 1,000 Year Reign of Christ, The Bema Judgment Seat and the White Throne Judgment, The Sheep and The Goats, and our Promised Eternities of whether we choose Christ or reject Christ. You DO NOT want to miss this upcoming series. Our new series will begin on September 8th, 2025.
Until We Meet Again ~ Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus
