I Came To Fulfill The Law And The Prophets Series

not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after

year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered?

For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.

But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to

take away sins.”

In light of that biblical information, the question remains: How did Jesus fulfill the Law and the Prophets? Remember Webster’s definition of “fulfill”. It means “to carry out something promised; to do something required; to satisfy a condition; to complete.”

First, He fulfilled the Law’s purpose of demonstrating God’s standard of righteousness. Jesus’ perfect life showed us how sinful our lives are. 1 Pet. 2:21-23 – “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

Second, He fulfilled the Law’s penalty by giving His life as payment for our sin. 1 Pet. 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning His first coming. Science has developed a method of studying odds. It’s called the science of compound probabilities – a mathematical study of situations and the odds of possible outcomes.

One of the most amazing studies conducted using this method was recorded by Professor Peter Stoner in Science Speaks. The purpose of this study was to determine the odds of one man in history fulfilling all the prophecies recorded in the Bible that point to the Jewish Messiah. There are over 300 different messianic Bible prophecies. Stoner chose 61 that are clearly defined and specific for this study.

To begin, eight prophecies were chosen that were totally beyond the human control of Jesus: His place of birth (Micah 5:2); the time of His birth (Dan. 9:25; Gen. 49:10); the manner of His birth (Is. 7:14); His betrayal (Zech. 11:11-13); and His manner of death (Ps. 22; Is. 53). Note the detail concerning His manner of death – crucifixion – including the gambling of the Roman soldiers for His robe. The prophecy concerning His manner of death was recorded 800 years before the Romans invented crucifixion. It includes the pirecing of his hands feet and side (Ps. 22; Zech 12:10); people mocking Him )Is. 53; Ps. 22), and His burial (Is. 53:9).

The compound probability of just these eight prophecies being fulfilled by one person is 1 in 1017. 1017 is a 10 with 17 zeroes after it. I don’t know what you call it. It’s bigger than a trillion by quite a few zeroes..

To illustrate the enormity of this possibility, you would have to take 1017 silver dollars and lay them on the face of the state of Texas. They cover the entire state two feet deep. Next, mark a silver dollar, fly over Texas, and drop it out anywhere. Then, blindfold someone and let him parachute in anywhere he wants. He should take his time because he only gets one pick and the coin he picks must be the one you marked.