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Acts 26:22-23

To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.

The good news about Jesus started in the Old Testament. To those in his day who claimed that Paul was promoting a new religion, he made it clear that he was saying “nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass.” Let’s take a quick review of Isaiah’s prophetic words seven hundred years before Jesus was born.

• The Messiah would suffer…

 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. -Isaiah 53:5

• First to rise from the dead…

 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied…. -Isaiah 53:11(NIV)

• The message of light…

 And now the Lord says… “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” -Isaiah 49:5-6(NIV)

Remember the conversation that Jesus had with the two men on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection? Jesus said, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:26-27). The entire Old Testament shouts, “Jesus is coming!” And the New Testament celebrates and proclaims the fact that he has come.

Talking Point

• Ask God to give you the desire and discipline to read his Word every day.

Father, thank you for making it clear from the beginning of Scripture that Jesus was coming. Now that he has come and his work is completed, help me to worship him every day of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Noah