In yesterday's study we found the Apostle Paul reminding his listeners of God's faithfulness to His promises. Today he demonstrates to them that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God's promises and the proof of His faithfulness.
"Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said, 'Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.'" (Acts 13:24-25) John was well-respected among the Jews who had taken part in his baptism. Paul points out that John himself identified Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. If they are going to accept the other teachings of John, they must also accept his testimony on behalf of Jesus. John was regarded as a great rabbi, but he humbly said of himself, "The Anointed One of God is so great that I'm not even worthy to perform a servant's job of untying His sandals. He's that much greater than me or any other rabbi."
"Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath." (Acts 13:26-27) Why is it that the religious elite, who should have known the Scriptures better than anyone, did not recognize Jesus? Men like Isaiah, Zechariah, and King David all prophesied about the life and death and resurrection of Christ. Yet somehow the enemies of Christ managed to willfully ignore the testimonies of the Old Testament saints whose words they professed to revere. Paul feels they were without excuse. He is free to feel this way because he considers his old self without excuse when he was a blasphemer of the name of Christ. Paul was once one of these enemies of the gospel, but now he is a minister of the gospel and his most earnest desire is to help others find what he has found in Christ.
He goes on to describe the illegal trial and execution of Jesus. "Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb." (Acts 13:28-29) The religious leaders of Jerusalem who bore such hot hatred toward Jesus were actually fulfilling prophecy when they falsely accused Him and had Him put to death. Yet they seemed oblivious to this fact, blinded as they were by their bitterness and envy. Isaiah said the Servant of God would be despised and rejected, arrested and falsely accused and condemned, yet somehow Jesus' enemies fail to see that their actions are fulfilling this prophecy. They are unable to see that those who put the Servant to death are the villains in the story and that the Man who stands accused is so innocent and so holy that God will give Him a portion with the great because of His obedience. (See Isaiah 53 for the entire prophecy of the crucifixion.)
The enemies of Christ think He is finished. They believe His name and His memory will perish from the earth. God, however, has other plans. "But God raised Him from the dead, and for many days He was seen by those who had traveled with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people." (Acts 13:30-31) The prophet Isaiah's vision of the Christ didn't stop with His death and burial. Isaiah saw the outcome of these things and said, "After He has suffered, He will see the light of life and be satisfied." (Isaiah 53:11a) The story didn't end at the cross. The story didn't end at the tomb. The story was only getting started, because early on Sunday morning the Lord Jesus Christ arose from the dead, saw the light of life again, and was satisfied by His redemptive work on behalf of mankind. His return to life was the proof that God the Father accepted His sacrifice as being holy enough to sanctify forever those who would believe on His name. I like to think the Lord Jesus smiled as He came out of the tomb and took a deep breath of fresh cool air and viewed the sun coming up over the hills. I think He smiled because He knew He had done for us something we could never do for ourselves.
Easter Sunday is fast approaching but because our Savior lives we can celebrate Easter every day of the year. Let's conclude today's Bible study by listening to the song at the link below.
My Redeemer Lives
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