by Rev. Greg Griffin
Thousands of years before Jesus was born, many prophets spoke of the One that was to come. There were over 300 prophecies. Three hundred.
Mathematicians (not theologians) put it this way:
1 person fulfilling 8 prophecies: 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 chance
1 person fulfilling 48 prophecies: 1 chance in 10 to the 157th power (contains 157 zeros)
1 person fulfilling 300+ prophecies: Statistically impossible
Statistically impossible from a mathematical analysis.
The prophets spoke through the centuries so we would know it was Him when He came. “He’s coming,” they claimed.
When Jesus was born, angels filled the skies announcing His birth. Filled the sky.
The angels said, “It’s Him!”
Wise men followed a star and found Him shortly after He was born.
They said, It’s Him!”
The heavenly star said, “It’s Him!”
When he was a young man, he was baptized, and a Spirit described like a dove landed on Him and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
God audibly said, “It’s Him!”
When He was hanging on the cross at His crucifixion, an eclipse of the sun happened, and lasted three hours.
The heavens said, “It’s Him!”
As He gave up His last breath, a violent earthquake erupted.
The earth said, “It’s Him!”
His dead body was buried in a cave tomb, covered with a large stone and put under Roman guard watch.
Three days later there was another earthquake that moved the stone to reveal an empty tomb.
An angel greeted a woman who had come to pay her respects, and said, “He’s not here. He’s come back to life just as He said.”
The angel said, “It’s Him!”
The earth AGAIN said, “It’s Him!”
Even if you discount the empty tomb – which, by the way, was not an issue at the time, because the tomb was clearly empty. The only issue was how an empty tomb was to be explained…
Even if you discount the 500+ eyewitnesses who saw Him after He was crucified (many of whom chose being put to death over retracting their story)…
The supernatural and the natural pointed time and time again. “It’s Him!
“It. Is. Him.”
So, why? What’s the point of Jesus? What’s the point of Easter? What’s the point of the crucifixion and resurrection?
LIFE. Now, even in the midst of the broken.
LIFE. Forever, beyond the grave.
God sent us a Savior because we need one.
“It’s Him!”
Wait! What do you think? Do you believe it?
CS Lewis, a former atheist turned believer, put it way. One must choose. Either Jesus is:
A liar. He knew He was not God, but told everyone He was. In essence, He was a false prophet.
A Lunatic. He was delusional and thought He was the Son of God but was sadly just a crazy man.
Lord. He is who He says He is.
Who do you say He is?
Rev. Greg Griffin is a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor and Forgiveness Coach in private practice in Marietta, GA. His specialty is relationship repair and rescue- helping partners, spouses, and parents and their adolescents. He’s also the author of Dungeon Times Survival Guide, and Vital Faith.
