This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on November 30th Nov 2025, by Colin. For the audio & video, please click here. For the worship, please click here. Messianic Prophecies: Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament
As we step into the season of Advent, the historic
Christian rhythm invites us into four weeks of anticipation—four weeks of
preparing our hearts to remember the birth of Christ and to look ahead to His
promised return. Advent literally means arrival, and for centuries
believers have used this period to rekindle awe for the greatest gift ever
given: Jesus Christ.
Yet the story of Jesus does not begin in Bethlehem. It
begins long before shepherds saw angels or wise men followed a star. The Old
Testament—often viewed as ancient history, laws, and rituals—is in fact filled
with signs, shadows, and promises pointing directly to Christ. These are
known as Messianic prophecies, and they reveal that Christmas is not
merely a New Testament event—it is a story God has been telling from the very
beginning.
The Old Testament: A Hidden Portrait of Jesus
Scripture contains three major roles in Israel’s story: prophet,
priest, and king. Each functioned uniquely, yet each foreshadowed someone
greater:
- The
Prophet spoke God’s word.
- The
Priest stood between God and people as a mediator.
- The
King ruled with righteousness and justice.
Jesus Christ fulfils all three perfectly—He is the Prophet
who reveals God’s heart, the High Priest who offers Himself as the sacrifice
for sin, and the King who reigns forever in righteousness.
But the Old Testament does more than describe roles—it
provides portraits:
- Jesus
is a prophet like Moses.
- A priest
greater than Aaron (Hebrews).
- A champion
like Joshua, who won victory after victory.
- An offering
like Isaac, but one whom the Father did not spare.
- A king
like David, yet much greater.
- A wise
counsellor like Solomon, embodying wisdom itself.
- A rejected
but exalted Saviour like Joseph, who becomes the bread for the hungry.
Even Israel’s symbols whisper His name:
- The Passover
Lamb without blemish.
- The mercy
seat where atonement is made.
- The bronze
serpent lifted up for healing.
- Manna
from heaven.
- Water
from the rock.
- The scapegoat
who carries our sins away.
- The ark
that saves from judgment.
Once you see Jesus as the "master key," the Old
Testament comes alive. As Jesus Himself said, “These are the Scriptures that
testify about Me.” (John 5:39)
The First Prophecy of the Messiah
The earliest gospel message appears shockingly early—in Genesis
3:15. Addressing the serpent after the fall, God declares:
“I will put hostility between you and the woman,
between your offspring and her offspring;
He will strike your head,
and you will strike His heel.”
This verse predicts:
- A
miraculous birth — “the seed of the woman” hints at a virgin birth.
- A
suffering Savior — Satan would “strike His heel.”
- A
victorious Messiah — Christ would crush the serpent’s head.
The entire gospel is hidden in this single sentence.
Prophecies That Point to Christ
One reason we trust Scripture is its astonishing prophetic
accuracy. Written over 1,500 years by more than 40 authors, the Bible contains approximately
300 prophecies about the Messiah. The probability of even eight
being fulfilled by chance is virtually zero—mathematicians compare it to
picking a single marked coin from an area stretching across multiple states and
filled two feet deep with identical coins.
Yet Jesus fulfilled them all.
Here are just a few examples:
Born in Bethlehem
Micah 5:2 predicted the Messiah would come from
Bethlehem—a prophecy fulfilled when a census decree forced Joseph and Mary to
travel there.
Born of a virgin
Isaiah 7:14 foretold: “The virgin will conceive
and give birth to a son.”
Called out of Egypt
Hosea 11:1 predicted the Messiah’s early years in
Egypt—fulfilled when Joseph and Mary fled from Herod.
Worshipped with gifts by kings
Psalm 72 describes kings bringing tribute—echoed in
the visit of the Magi.
Details of the crucifixion
Centuries before crucifixion existed, Psalm 22
described:
- mockers
surrounding Jesus,
- His
hands and feet pierced,
- His
cry: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”
These prophecies were not random—they were purposeful,
preserved, and fulfilled to demonstrate God's sovereignty and His faithfulness
to His promises.
Why Does This Matter for Us Today?
1. Scripture Is Reliable
The accuracy of prophetic fulfilment shows that the Bible is
trustworthy. It is not a collection of myths but the unfolding story of God’s
redemption.
2. God Is Sovereign
If He can orchestrate world events to fulfil His plan for
Christ, then He can surely work faithfully in our lives as well.
3. Christmas Should Renew Our Awe
Like the shepherds who trembled before angels and the wise
men who travelled across nations bearing gifts, we too should approach
Christmas with wonder, gratitude, and worship.
Conclusion: Seeing Jesus Everywhere
The Old Testament is not just ancient history—it is a
treasure map whose X is Christ. From Genesis to Malachi, every story,
symbol, sacrifice, and prophecy whispers His name. This Advent season, let’s
open Scripture with fresh eyes and ask:
“Where is Jesus here?”
Because He is there—on every page, in every story, and at the centre of God’s plan from the very beginning.
