Difference between revisions of "Fulfill"

&nbsp;Leviticus 22:21&nbsp;Numbers 15:3&nbsp;Matthew 3:15&nbsp;Matthew 5:17&nbsp;Romans 13:8-10&nbsp;Galatians 5:14&nbsp;James 2:8 <p> [[Fulfill]] is most common in [[Scripture]] in the prophetic sense of corresponding to what was promised, predicted, or foreshadowed. The fulfillment of prophecy in the life of Jesus is a major theme in Matthew's Gospel. Isaiah's prophecy (&nbsp;Isaiah 7:4 ) found fulfillment not only in Christ's virgin birth but also in His nature as “God with us” (&nbsp;Matthew 1:22-23; compare &nbsp;Matthew 28:20 ). Jesus' ministry in both word (&nbsp;Matthew 4:14-17 ) and deed (&nbsp;Matthew 8:16-17 ) fulfilled Scripture (&nbsp;Isaiah 9:1-2; &nbsp;Isaiah 53:4 ). Jesus' command of secrecy (&nbsp;Matthew 12:16 ) and His habit of teaching in parables (&nbsp;Matthew 13:35 ) likewise fulfilled Scripture (&nbsp;Isaiah 42:1-3; &nbsp;Psalm 78:2 ), as did His humble entry into [[Jerusalem]] (&nbsp;Matthew 21:4-5; &nbsp;Zechariah 9:9 ) and His arrest as a bandit (&nbsp;Matthew 26:56 ). At several points Jesus' life story gave new meaning to the history of Israel. Like Israel, Jesus was God's Son called out of Egypt (&nbsp;Matthew 2:15; &nbsp;Hosea 11:1 ). The suffering of Israel's mothers (&nbsp;Jeremiah 31:15 ) was echoed by the mothers of [[Bethlehem]] (&nbsp;Matthew 2:17-18 ). Both foreshadowed the fate of the Christ child who was spared only to die at a later time. </p> <p> Luke and Acts are especially interested in Christ's suffering and later glorification as the fulfillment of the expectations of all the Old Testament, the law, prophets, and writings (&nbsp;Luke 24:25-26 ,Luke 24:25-26,&nbsp;24:44-47; &nbsp;Acts 3:18; &nbsp;Acts 13:27-41 ) Jesus interpreted His journey to Jerusalem as a second “exodus” (&nbsp;Luke 9:31 ), an event that would result in freedom for God's people. </p> <p> In John the failure of the people to recognize God at work in Jesus' signs or to accept Jesus' testimony was explained as fulfillment of Scripture (&nbsp;John 12:37-41; compare &nbsp;Mark 4:11-12 ). John also viewed details of the passion story as the fulfillment of Scripture (&nbsp;John 19:24 ,John 19:24,&nbsp;19:28; &nbsp;Psalm 22:18; &nbsp;Psalm 69:21 ). Typological fulfillment in which Jesus corresponded to Old [[Testament]] institutions is more common than correspondence to prehydichytive prophecy. Jesus was “the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (&nbsp;John 1:29 ), likely a reference to the [[Passover]] lamb (&nbsp;John 19:14 ). Like [[Bethel]] (&nbsp;Genesis 28:12 ) Jesus offered access between heaven and earth (&nbsp;John 1:51 ). At [[Cana]] Jesus' gift of wine corresponded to the blessings of God's future (&nbsp;John 2:1-11; &nbsp;Isaiah 25:6; &nbsp;Joel 3:18; &nbsp;Amos 9:13; &nbsp;Zechariah 9:17 ). Jesus' body which was to be destroyed and raised was identified with the [[Temple]] (&nbsp;John 2:19 ,John 2:19,&nbsp;2:21 ). In His being lifted up on the cross (&nbsp;John 3:14 ), Christ corresponded to the serpent Moses raised in the wilderness (&nbsp;Numbers 21:9 ). In the same way, Christ in giving His life corresponded to the life-giving manna from heaven (&nbsp;John 6:31-32; &nbsp;Exodus 16:15 ). Often, time references in the [[Gospel]] of John suggest that Jesus gave new meaning to the celebrations of [[Israel]] (Passover, &nbsp;John 2:13; &nbsp;John 6:4; &nbsp;John 11:55; Booths, &nbsp;John 7:10; Dedication, &nbsp;John 10:22 ). </p> <p> Paul spoke of Christ as the One in whom “every one of God's promises is a “yes” (&nbsp;2 Corinthians 1:20 NRSV). Like John, Paul made frequent use of typology. Christ was foreshadowed by Adam (&nbsp; Romans 5:12-21; 1Corinthians 15:22,&nbsp;1 Corinthians 15:45-49 ), by the rock in the wilderness (&nbsp;1 Corinthians 10:4 ), and by the Passover lamb (&nbsp;1 Corinthians 5:7 ). </p> <p> [[Temporal]] phrases such as “the time is fulfilled” point to times ordained by God, for example, the time of Christ's ministry (&nbsp;Mark 1:15; &nbsp;Galatians 4:4; &nbsp;Ephesians 1:10 ), the time of [[Gentile]] domination of Israel (&nbsp;Luke 21:24 ), or the time of the appearance of the lawless one (&nbsp;2 Thessalonians 2:6 ). </p> <p> Chris Church </p>