Lesson 97

LESSON 97 - MARK 8:27-33

27And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? 28And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. 29And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. 30And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. 31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

1. As Jesus walked with His disciples, He asked them a question. This was not a new thing. Jesus had asked them questions at other times. Mk 4:40 " Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" Mk 8:21 "How is it that you do not understand?" Mt 14:31 "Why did you doubt?" John 21:17 "Do you love Me?"

What questions has Jesus asked you?

2. Jesus asked the disciples, "Whom do men say that I am?" What were their answers?

b. What have you heard people say about Who Jesus is?

3. When Jesus asked them what they believed, Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ." What did he mean?

b. Whom do you say Jesus is?

ANSWERS

1. Your answers

2. John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets.

b. Good Teacher, holy Man, Prophet

3. Peter stated that Jesus was the Messiah, Who would save the people from their sins (Mt 1:21, John 1:41) God the Father revealed that to Peter. Matt 16:17 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Peter later came to understand that Jesus was the One of Whom many of the Old Testament prophets had written , under the leadership and anointing of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:25-27,32,44-48)

Jesus fulfilled the following Old Testament Bible prophecies plus many others:

• Genesis 3:15  Prophesied that although a descendant of Eve would be wounded by Satan that same descendant would bruise Satan's head, that is, crush and defeat Satan. Fulfilled by Jesus Galatians 4:4-5. Hebrews 2:14-15.  

• Genesis 22:18  Prophesied all nations would be blessed through one special descendant or seed of Abraham. Jews and Gentiles alike are blessed when they accept Jesus a descendant of Abraham as their Savior. Matthew 1:1. Galatians 3:16-24.

• Genesis 49:10  Prophesied Shiloh (the Messiah) would come from Judah. Jesus was a descendant of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Luke 3:33  

• Psalm 16:10  Prophesied God would not leave his soul in Sheol, nor would God let His Holy one see corruption. Remember Jesus's physical body did not decay. Acts 2:25-32 John 2:19-22  

• Psalm 22:1,6-18  Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 while on the cross. Matthew 27:46. Psalm 22:7-8. The chief priest, scribes and elders fulfilled this prophecy when they unwittingly quoted it as they mocked Jesus. Matthew 27:41- 43. Psalm 22:14. What do you think happened to His bones when the soldiers dropped Jesus's cross into its hole? When the soldier thrust a spear into Jesus' side, blood and water came out indicating Jesus died with a broken heart. Why? John 19:34 Psalm 22:16 prophesied they would pierce His hands and His feet. Speaking of the end times in Zechariah 12:10 Jehovah (the LORD) said that in the future they would look on "ME" the one they had pierced. The hands and feet of Jesus were pierced when he was crucified. John 20:24-29

• Psalm 22:18 prophesied they would divide His garments among themselves. But they would cast lots for His clothing. Fulfilled by soldiers. John 19:23-24  

• Psalm 118:22  Prophesied the stone which the builders would reject would be made the chief cornerstone. Acts 4:10-12  

• Isaiah 7:14  Isaiah 7:14 also predicted the birth of the Messiah. It prophesied that an "almah" or virgin would conceive and give birth to a baby boy who would be called Immanuel. When Jesus was born an "almah" in this case "virgin" conceived and gave birth to a son who was called among other things "Immanuel." Mathew 1:18-25. For a virgin to give birth is a miracle or sign. It is no miracle for a young woman to conceive and give birth, but it is a miracle or sign for a virgin to conceive and give birth. Jesus's virgin birth was the sign or miracle God promised in Isaiah 7:14. The early Jews regarded this prophecy as referring to a virgin and the coming Messiah.  

• Isaiah 9:6-7  Prophesied a child would be born who would be called among other things, Mighty God, and Everlasting Father, that is, Father of Eternity. This also said He would rule forever over David's throne and kingdom. Fulfilled in Jesus. Matthew 1:1,18-25 John 1:1-3,14 John 5:18 John 8:58-59 John 10:30-33 John 20:28  

• Isaiah 11:10  Prophesied the Gentiles would seek after a descendant of Jesse, who was King David's father. Fulfillment seen in the millions of Gentiles who have turned to Jesus for forgiveness and salvation.  

• Isaiah 53:1-12  Verses 5,6,11 and 12 tell us He will be punished for our sins and He will bear our sins for us. Fulfilled by Jesus Romans 5:8 I Peter 2:24. Even though innocent when falsely accused He will not defend himself. Isaiah 53:7. Fulfilled Matthew 27:12-14. He will be killed. Isaiah 53:8. Fulfilled Matthew 27:50 He will die with the wicked. Isaiah 53:9. Fulfilled Matthew 27:38 But He will be with the rich at his death. Isaiah 53:9. Fulfilled Matthew 27:57-60 He was buried in a rich man's tomb. Even though He will be cut off from the land of the living He shall see His seed and prolong His days. Isaiah 53:10 Jesus conquered death and physically rose from the tomb alive! Those who believe in Jesus and follow him are his descendants. Matthew 28:5-6 Galatians 3:26-29

• Jeremiah 23:5 The Messiah will be on King David's lineage. Jesus was legally of David's line through Joseph His guardian, and naturally of David's line through His mother Mary. Mt 1:6,16(Joseph's ancestors) and Luke 3:23,31 (Mary's ancestors through her father Heli) 

• Daniel 9:25-26  Prophesied after Jerusalem was rebuilt the Messiah would be cut off. Then Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed. Jesus was crucified around 33 A.D. and Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed around 70 A.D.  

• Micah 5:2  700 years before Jesus' birth, Micah predicted the Ruler of Israel who has always existed would come forth from Bethlehem Ephrathah. Jesus was born in Bethlehem just where the chief priests and scribes told King Herod the King of the Jews was to be born after consulting this verse. Matthew 2:1-6 

• Zechariah 9:9  Predicted the King of Jerusalem would come to it having salvation riding on a colt the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 Jesus fulfilled this in Matthew 21:1-11  

• Zechariah 11:12-13  The princely price they set on the LORD would be thirty pieces of silver. The thirty pieces of silver would be thrown in the house of the LORD for the potter. Zechariah 11:12-13 This prophecy was fulfilled in Judas the betrayer of Jesus. Matthew 27:3-10  

• Malachi 3:1 4:5 - Malachi 3:1 predicted the Lord would send a messenger to prepare the way before him. In Malachi 4:5 God promised to send Elijah before the arrival of the great day of God. John the Baptist fulfilled these prophecies as he prepared the way for Jesus. Mark 1:1-9 Matthew 11:13-14  

Many eyewitnesses and later believers were crucified, stoned, beheaded, dragged, or stabbed, while others were torn apart by wild beasts or dogs, still worse some were burned to death. (Book of Martyrs) Isn't it very hard to believe that anyone would be willing to suffer and die like this for something they knew to be a lie? Isn't it much easier and much more logical to believe that what the apostles and the other eyewitnesses wrote in the New Testament was what actually happened - the truth? Yes! Jesus is the promised Messiah or Savior. He did rise from the tomb alive and He is coming again!

Study these prophecies so you can answer why the Old Testament teaches Jesus is the true Messiah and Savior of the world.