Looking at history, it seems the centuries are linked by legacies of select men and women. Only those with particularly outstanding accomplishments are remembered and studied. Whether politically, militarily, or socially a handful of names will be talked about for the rest of time.

After all, it makes sense. We remember based on the residual effects of an action, decision or accomplishment based on the number of people it affects and its potency.

Take Alexander the Great’s unblemished military record. His conquest of territory from Greece to northwestern India created one of the largest empires the world has ever known, and he did it all by the age of 30. Julius Caesar, in Alexander’s posthumous wake, was “inspired” to take on similar military pursuits resulting in a stint as the dictator of the massive Roman Republic. Even though he was assassinated, Caesar was given “deified” status, meaning the Roman Senate recognized him as “divine.” Ironically, he had been dead for two years at the time of this recognition.

Consider the civil rights work of Rosa Parks (among many others) whose civil disobedience began to prick the conscience of many Americans beginning a healing process still in motion today. Parks’ simple refusal to give up her seat on a bus began a bus boycott leading to the Supreme Court ruling in her favor. Sadly, racism still lurks in America’s heart, but the simple decision had staggering potency that changed the lives of many and redefined social policy in her day.

These are just three “big” names on earth’s guestbook. Yet no accomplishment of man can compare to those of one man, Jesus Christ.

While His name can be found in the same history books, most don’t learn about Him in school. Jesus Christ of Nazareth pointed to the Hebrew Old Testament prophesies of a coming Messiah (savior) to “bare the sins of many” and save those who receive Him by faith when asked about His identity. Not only did He make the claims, but He backed them up with His actions. From birth, to death and resurrection, His entire life matched the prophecies of old.

The prophet Isaiah stated “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Jesus’ life began just this way as the Holy Spirit of God conceived baby Jesus in the womb of his virgin mother Mary. Immanuel, meaning “God with us”, was another name for Jesus as He was how God came down to Earth. Proving Jesus’ divinity from the very beginning, Matthew confirms this in his account of Jesus’ life.

Isaiah also stated that at the Messiah’s coming “the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. The lame shall leap like a dear.” Jesus healed invalids, deaf, and blind people as recorded in the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John who were all eye witnesses. When John the Baptist asked Jesus whether he was the “one” or if they should expect someone else, Jesus responded pointing to Isaiah’s words stating that He was doing those things prophesied about in the present.

The prophet Zechariah wrote “…Behold, your King is coming to you; lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Many years later, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while the people cried “Hosanna!” which means save, rescue, help.

Finally, through a litany of prophets, we learn that the Messiah would be betrayed by a friend, sold for thirty pieces of silver, silent when accused, beaten and spat upon, crucified with sinners though sinless, pierced through his side, and buried with the rich among other things. Those of his disciples watching recorded Jesus’ death, along with Hebrew and Roman historians who jotted down the same details. Yet three days later, He was not in the tomb. He was in showing himself to people, resulting in 500+ eyewitnesses to his resurrection from death. The prophets saw this coming as each detail of Jesus’ resurrection was accurately divulged through those same prophets, hundreds of years before happening.

The thing is, this isn’t a comprehensive list. There are hundreds more.

Jesus by fulfilling these prophesies, proved himself to be the Son of God. His death and resurrection offer forgiveness to sinners who humble themselves before Him and ask for it, knowing it’s their biggest need. His sinless life qualified Him to be a sacrifice acceptable to God on our behalf and demonstrated to His followers who we should aim to be like.

Any single day from Jesus’ life far outweighs the lifetime of any other man or woman. The laying down of His life offered an eternal gift to every human to ever live. There’s no other action in history with that large of an impact. Still, it’s up to you whether you want to count the cost and accept it. It is far beyond worth it.

Scripture References:

Isaiah 7:14 (Prophecy) & Matthew 1:18 (Fulfillment) – Born of a virgin.

Isaiah 35:5-6 (Prophecy) & Matthew 11:5 (Fulfillment) – Healer.

Zechariah 9:9 (Prophecy) & Mark 11:7-9 (Fulfillment) – On a donkey.

Psalm 41:9 (Prophecy) & Mark 14:10 (Fulfillment) – Betrayed.

Zechariah 11:12 (Prophecy) & Matthew 26:15 (Fulfillment) – Sold for thirty pieces of silver.

Isaiah 53:7 (Prophecy) & Mark 15:4-5 (Fulfillment) – Silent when accused.

Isaiah 50:6 (Prophecy) & Mark 14:65 (Fulfillment) – Beaten and spat upon.

Isaiah 53:12 (Prophecy) & Mark 15:27 (Fulfillment) – Crucified with sinners.

Zechariah 12:10 (Prophecy) & John 19:34 (Fulfillment) – Pierced in the side.

Isaiah 53:9 (Prophecy) & Matthew 27:57-60 (Fulfillment) – Buried with the rich.

Psalm 16:10 (Prophecy) & Mark 16:6 (Fulfillment) – Rose from the dead.

Psalm 68:18 (Prophecy) & Mark 16:19 (Fulfillment) – Ascended into Heaven.

Isaiah 53: 12 (Prophecy) & Luke 22:37 (Fulfillment) – Bore the sins of many.

 

Additional Sources:

Yenne, Bill (2010). Alexander the Great: Lessons from History’s Undefeated General. New York City, New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 99.

Grant, Michael (1970), The Roman Forum, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson; Photos by Werner Forman, p. 94.