Jesus in Matthew—The Fulfillment of Prophecy

Episode #6: Jesus in Matthew—The Fulfillment of Prophecy 1. Jesus' Identity and Divine Mission Jesus was of the seed of Abraham (Matthew 1:1). He was the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham that through his offspring, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Born of a virgin—Mary was His mother (Matthew 1:18-25). His miraculous birth fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 7:14). His birth was announced by angels (Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:8-14). Jesus was 100% man and 100% God (John 1:14, Colossians 2:9). He experienced the full human condition while remaining fully divine. Because of what Jesus did, we have our divinity restored. Sin separated us from the Holy Spirit, but Jesus' work reconciled us to God. 2. Parallels Between Jesus and Israel Jacob went to Egypt to escape famine (Genesis 46:2-7). Joseph took Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod (Matthew 2:13-15). Male babies were killed when Moses was born (Exodus 1:22). Male babies were killed when Jesus was born (Matthew 2:16). Satan has always tried to destroy God's Redeemer. Children always pay the price when evil is at work. 3. Baptism and the Wilderness: The Pattern of Testing and Power Israelites were baptized in the Red Sea (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). They crossed through water into freedom from slavery. Jesus was baptized by John, then went into the desert (Matthew 3:13-17, 4:1). His baptism marked the beginning of a new spiritual era. Israel became free after their baptism. Jesus came out of the wilderness with power! We, too, receive power after salvation, water baptism, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). 4. Israel's Failure vs. Jesus' Victory Israel was tested in the wilderness for 40 years (Numbers 14:33-34). They should have only been there for 40 days but kept failing their tests. Jesus was tested in the wilderness for 40 days (Matthew 4:2). He faced the same temptations Israel did but overcame them (Matthew 4:1-11). Israel kept failing—Jesus passed every test. Because Jesus was victorious, we can be too (Hebrews 4:15). 5. A New Age Begins Israel entered a new age when they crossed the Jordan. After wandering in the desert, they stepped into the Promised Land. Jesus ushered in a new age when He was baptized in the Jordan. His baptism signified the beginning of His public ministry and the coming of the Kingdom of God. 6. Faith, Obedience, and the Role of the Holy Spirit You cannot expect your Redeemer to help you in trouble if you think He is allowing it. If we misunderstand God's nature, we won't trust Him fully. Jesus not only redeemed us from Satan but became our example of how to live. He showed us how to walk in faith, resist temptation, and live in obedience to God. Israel left Egypt in the middle of the night. Joseph left Egypt in the middle of the night—his obedience was immediate. We must practice listening to the Holy Spirit and obey immediately. Final Thoughts Jesus' life mirrored Israel's journey, but where Israel failed, He succeeded. Jesus is the true and better Moses—leading His people out of spiritual slavery. Jesus is the true and better Israel—fulfilling what God intended for His people. Through Him, we are called to walk in victory, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and step into the new age of God's kingdom.