Preparation for the Ministry of Jesus

Preparation for the ministry of Jesus

11) Prophecy: The way of the Lord prepared
Old Testament Reference: Isaiah 40:3-4
New Testament Fulfillment: Luke 3:2-5

Isaiah 40:3-4
³ A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
 make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
 ⁴ Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.

Luke 3:2-5

 ² during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. ³ He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
⁵ Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.

12) A messenger to come before the Lord
Old Testament Reference: Malachi 3:1
New Testament fulfillment: Luke 7:24-27

Malachi 3:1
 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

Luke 7:24-27
 ²⁴ After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ²⁵ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

13) Prophecy: A prophet would be raised up
Old Testament Reference: Deuteronomy 18:15
New Testament Fulfillment: Acts 19:20, 22

Deuteronomy 18:15
¹⁵ The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.

Acts 19-20, 22
 ¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.  ²² For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.

14) Prophecy: Declared to be the Son of God
Old Testament Reference: Psalm 2:7
New Testament Fulfillment:  Matthew 3:13-17

Psalm 2:7

⁷ I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;
    today I have become your father.

Matthew 3:13-17
 ¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴ But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
¹⁵ Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”