Part of the Christmas Story

   There are more than 300 prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ's birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection. Also, in I Corinthians 15:1-11, Paul tells the gospel which is "according to the Scriptures and mentions over 500 witnesses. "Peter Stoner, former chairman of the departments of mathematics and astronomy of Pasadina City College, chairman of the Science Division of Westmont College, and professor Emeritus of Science at Westmont, wrote a book called  Science Speaks in which he applied the mathematical principles of probability to various Old Testament predictions". He chose 8 of the 300+ predictions and formulated the mathematical probability of them coming true in 1 man. He and his students wanted to know what the chances were "that any one man, in accordance to predictive prophecy, would be born in Bethlehem, preceded by a forerunner, enter Jerusalem as a king riding a donkey, be betrayed by His friend for 30 pieces of silver, be placed on trial and, though innocent, make no defense for Himself, and be crucified."
   The chance of only these being fulfilled is only 1 in 10 to the 17th power. He illustrated this as one covering the state of Texas with silver dollars 2 feet deep, mark one and mix it into the others. The chance of Jesus fulfilling these 8 prophecies is equal to a blind man searching through all those silver dollars and finding that one which was marked! Remember now, there are not only 8, but 300+ prophecies fulfilled in the life of Christ. I will cover a few of the predictions as they occur in order so it's easier to look them up:
      Prophesied in:                                                                                  Fulfilled in:
  1. Psalms 2:7 - He;d be called the Son of God.                                     Matthew 3:17
  2. Psalms 16:10- He'd be resurrected.                                                  Mark 16:6,7.
  3. Psalms 22:1- He'd be forsaken by God.                                           Matthew 27:46
  4. Psalms 22:17,18- His garments would be gambled for.                     Matthew 27:35,36.
  5. Psalms 34:20- None of His bones would be broken.                        John 19:32,33,36.
  6. Psalms 41:9- He'd be betrayed by a close friend.                             Luke 22:47,48.
  7. Isaiah 7:14- He'd be born of a virgin.                                               Luke 1:26,27,30,31.
  8. Isaiah 9:7 - He'd be heir to David's throne.                                       Luke 1:32,33.
  9. Isaiah 50:6- He'd be spit upon and struck.                                       Matthew 26:67.
10. Isaiah 53:3- He'd be rejected by His own people.                            John 1:11,Luke 23:18.
11. Isaiah 53:5- He'd die for others.                                                       Romans 5:6,8.
12. Isaiah 53:7- He'd be silent when accused.                                        Mark 15:4,5.
13. Micah 5:2 - He'd be born in Bethlehem, Ephrathah.                          Luke 2:4-7.
14. Zechariah 9:9- He'd enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey.                   Mark 11:7,9,11.
15. Zechariah 11:12- He'd be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.                Matthew 26:14,15.
16. Zechariah 12:10- He'd be pierced through hands and feet.                John 20:27.
17. Zechariah 12:10- His side would be pierced.                                    John 19:34.
   Remember, while you celebrate Christmas, that Christ is no longer a baby, but a mature man. The One Who died in your and my place because we've all sinned against God. The penalty is spiritual death - separation from God. Jesus said, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" His physical death was a necessary blood sacrifice as well. This fulfilled the payment. God was satisfied and raised Him from the dead which proved His satisfaction.
   So, remember what Jesus did for you and accept His offer of eternal life by believing Jesus is Who the Bible says He is and that He died in our place on the cross. Then live as the Bible teaches and serve Christ, the Son of God. You will never regret it. But be assured, when you do live for Him, you will suffer persecution as Jesus did. Read Peter's letters.

Sincerely,
Rick