We call our monthly mission report ‘GOOD
NEWS’ but this month is the best
GOOD NEWS WE CAN EVER REPEAT,
JESUS
IS ALIVE!
The Crucifixion and
Resurrection of Jesus were predicted many times and in many ways
before they actually happened. This fact lends even more
credibility to the historicity of what we as Christians claim to
be the most significant weekend in human history.
If it were not for what Jesus did, we would
not do what we do and have done. He continues to do the same
things today as He did when He walked on the earth.
We go
to the nations because He is alive and is the same yesterday,
today and forever - Hebrews 13:8.
Tony and Marge in Moscow
We believe that: THE MIRACLE
MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST IS STILL GOD’S INDISPENSABLE METHOD FOR
WORLD EVANGELISM!
Prediction #1: “Even
my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted
his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9)
Who said it?
King David.
When? 1000 BC
Fulfillment: “Judas Iscariot betrayed him.” (Matthew
10:4)
- Judas was one of Jesus’ twelve chosen associates or
‘disciples’ as they were called. He made a deal with Jewish
leaders who hated Jesus. He traded inside information about
Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. This betrayal was predicted by
King David over 1,000 years before it happened.
Prediction #2: "He was oppressed, and he
was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth…” (Isaiah
53:7)
Who said it? The
prophet Isaiah.
When? 700 BC
Fulfillment: “But when he was accused by the chief
priests and elders, he gave no answer.” (Matthew 27:12)
- The prophet Isaiah wrote many predictions about Jesus in his
writings. This particular prediction spoke of Jesus as one who
would not use words to defend himself or as a means of rescue
from affliction. This is exactly the case as the events of the
first Easter unfold in Matthew chapter 27 of the bible.
Prediction #3: "they
have pierced my hands and feet…” (Psalm 22:16)
Who said it? King
David.
When?
1000 BC
Fulfillment: “there they crucified him…” (Luke 23:33)
- At the time when this prediction was written, crucifixion
had not yet been invented by the Romans. But 1,000 years later
the Romans had mastered this torturous technique of judgment.
Part of the process involved piercing the hands and feet of the
victim with metal spikes that would fix the individual to the
wooden beams beneath them.
Prediction #4: “And as Jesus was going up to
Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he
said to them, 'See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of
Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and
they will condemn him to death…'” (Matthew 20:17)
Who said it? Jesus.
When? 33 AD
Fulfillment:
“When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the
people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.” (Matthew
27:1)
- Jesus told his twelve disciples who would be behind the
conspiracy to kill him. He, as always, was right because He is
the Way, Truth and Life always.
Prediction #5: “and deliver
him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and
crucified…” (Matthew 20:17)
Who said it?
Jesus.
When? 33 AD
Fulfillment: “And they bound him and led him away and
delivered him over to Pilate the governor… And when they had
mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own
clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.” (Matthew
27:2,31)
- Jesus told his disciples that the Gentiles would also be
involved in his death, not just the Jewish leaders. It was
Pontius Pilate to be precise, the Roman governor of Judea. He
had Jesus handed over to his soldiers who made sport of Jesus
before his crucifixion.
Prediction #6: “and he will be raised on the third
day.” Matthew 20:17b
Who said it?
Jesus.
When?
33 AD
Fulfillment: “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.”
Matthew 28:16
- Jesus told his disciples before it happened that he would
not stay dead. He had already raised a number of individuals
from the dead during his ministry, but now he would perform this
miracle on himself.
Prediction #7: “For you will not abandon my soul to
Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” Psalm 16:10
Who said it?
King
David.
When? 1000
BC
Fulfillment: “He is not here, for he has risen, as he
said.” Matthew 28:16
- The body of Jesus is no longer in a grave. In fact, shortly
after his death this was confirmed by the Roman soldiers who
were charged with guarding the tomb. They were not able to
locate the body and reported this to the Jewish leaders who paid
them to spread a rumour that his disciples had stolen it. Jesus
was reported to have been seen by his remaining eleven disciples
and as many as 500 other followers over the next 40 days after
his reported resurrection on the first resurrection morning.
That's what the resurrection does. It takes
our fear, our worry, our hurt, our sadness...and it puts it all
into perspective. The fact that Jesus is risen from the dead,
that he was victorious over death and sin, is reason to
celebrate. It's that fact that gives us joy despite our
circumstances and through whatever we may face.
What happened on that first
Resurrection Day still brings us joy and it still changes lives
today. Rejoice and sing as we celebrate how Jesus still changes
lives today. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice
and be glad.
The Lord Jesus, through his
cross and resurrection, has destroyed the power of sin and death
and brought us into His life. Christ has won for us victory over
the grave. Because Jesus died and rose from the dead, we no
longer have to fear sin and death.
The victory has been won in
Christ.
We wanted to
share this with you this month as we feel that the Resurrection
of Jesus is the most important event in history. Because He
lives we can live also! He will be returning soon we
believe and on that day...
Beloved, now are we the
sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we
know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we
shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
God bless you and yours remain as our daily
prayer.
Tony
and Marge Abram
