Many people today sign a legal document called an advanced directive to be filed with their legal documents and hospital records. This directive states whether or not the individual wants to have heroic medical procedures such as CPR or life support in the event he or she is unable to communicate or make that decision at any given point in time.
Christ also had an advanced directive. Scriptures revealed his plan through Moses and the Old Testament prophets.
Messiah was to be mocked and insulted.
Prophecy: Psalm 22:7 "All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads."
Fulfillment: Matthew 27:39-42 "Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if your are the Son of God.' In the same way the chief priests and the elders mocked him. 'He saved others, but he can't save himself.' . . ."
Messiah was to die by crucifixion.
Prophecy: Psalm 14, 16, 17 "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count my bones; people stare and gloat over me."
Fulfillment: Mark 15: 20, 25 "And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and
put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. It was the third hour when they crucified him."
Messiah was to be crucified with criminals and pray for his enemies.
Prophecy: Isaiah 53:12 "Therefore I will him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors."
Fulfillment: Luke 23:32-34 "Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals-one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Jesus could have chosen not to be crucified, but the plan was in place and he followed the plan. The only way for God's will to be accomplished according to Scripture was for Jesus to complete the advanced directive. We'll look at three more fulfilled prophecies tomorrow.