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We learned last Sunday, that Jesus Christ is a descendant of Abraham (the father of all nations) and of David (the man after God's own heart). There are 41 generations (listed in Matthew) from Abraham to Jesus, for about 2000 years. And that the last prophecy written in the Old Testament was about 400 years before Jesus came. So this is really a message of a long wait and so much patience for all those who have really waited and hope that in the right time and day, the Messiah will come to save God's people. From what? From the captivity created by sinning.1. Expected Fulfillment
Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built there an altar to the Lord , who had appeared to him. (Genesis 12:7)So, Yes, for so long years, generations have been waiting for that day of the Messiah's appearance. They were guided by prophecies which gave them hopes and expectations that when He finally comes, He will fulfill the Law and everything will turned out so good.
(Okay, rewind...) Why do we need to know and agree that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Law? First of all, we've learned that the Law was given as a guidance to the people of God on how they would live and glorify God, as their soul purpose of existence.
But then again, we have this very nature of doing sin against God, which resulted to not meeting the standard set for God to be glorified. And not meeting the standards of God results to eternal death. And that run for so so long years until the coming of Jesus Christ, dying on the cross for our sins, resurrecting and offering salvation to those who will believe and receive Him as their personal Savior and Lord.
This is the fulfillment for those people (specially to the Jews) who have waited for Him. Those who have put hopes in their hearts that one day, they will have their fulfillment.
2. Unexpected Fulfillment
Maybe some of us lived our lives doing things which we thought is "life" already, but are apart from God. Things we thought would be the center of our everything.This is the story of Apostle Paul. The man who met Jesus Christ in an unexpected way, filling his heart with a new purpose and hope, and turning his life around. You see the whole story in Acts 9.
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:1-9)
Saul is the guy who would always love to switch off the microphone so that anyone who loves to sing would be interrupted. He is the person who hates people proclaiming Jesus. And this was his fulfillment, until that unexpected day when Jesus encountered him in the road of Damascus, which really turned his ways 180°.
And from that day forward, Saul who became Paul never stop spreading the gospel and offered himself as a living sacrifice to the service of God. He knew God would be honored through his life and death. And even if he was suffering, he had the assurance that he was accomplishing his goal.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law. Yes, He is! He had met all those written prophecies and gave a living hope to those who have waited. This is the joy, that there is a prize for those who truly waits.
But Jesus is also the fulfillment (the only fulfillment) for those who do not believe in Him, today. If He can turn the life of Saul to Paul, and use him in ways Paul would never expect, then I know He can also turn your's and those whom you are thinking right now. There is no other way a person lives in fulfillment aside from living in Christ!
Photo by: Albin Berlin
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