Introduction
The prophecies of the Old Testament indicate that the Messiah would be called Lord. While this may seem like a given to us today, the Old Testament leaves no doubt about the title of the coming Messiah.
Old Testament Prophecy
The LORD says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.” [Psalm 110:1 NIV]
Introduction
The Old Testament is clear that the coming Messiah would fill a number of roles. One of those roles was that the Messiah would bring Israel back to God.
Old Testament Prophecy
And now the LORD says-
he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
and gather Israel to himself,
for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD
and my God has been my strength- [Isaiah 49:5 NIV]
he 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 you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” [Isaiah 49:6 NIV]
I’m still catching up on notifying you all about articles I published over on Ministry-to-Children.com, and it seemed like the middle of Go Dark week was a good time. This article was titled Where is Jesus in this Bible Story? was published on June 10, 2010.
Brief Synopsis: In this post I examine how to make sure that Jesus is at the center of every lesson you put together for children’s ministry.
Introduction
Last week, we looked at the prophecy that God’s temple would become a den of robbers. The Old Testament also prophesied that the Messiah would be consumed with zeal for God’s temple.
Old Testament Prophecy
for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. [Psalm 69:9 NIV]
Introduction
Several of the Old Testament prophecies deal with what things would be like at the coming of the Messiah. One such prophecy was that the Temple of God would become a den of robbers.
Old Testament Prophecy
Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD. [Jeremiah 7:11 NIV]
Introduction
Last week we looked at the prophecies that the Messiah would be revealed to a people not seeking him. Additionally, the Old Testament tells us that the Messiah would teach in parables. Due to the large number of parables used by Jesus and recorded in the New Testament, I have not included every instance of teaching in parables below.
Old Testament Prophecy
Early last week, the mother of one of my wife’s friends passed away. My wife spent a chunk of this past Saturday morning and afternoon at the funeral and the gathering afterward. She did get home in time on Saturday to head off to Saturday night service at our church. This was a particularly exciting Saturday, as my seven year old daughter was getting baptized. As we were driving to the church, my nine year old son, Jacob, mentioned that he felt bad for my wife’s friend because she no longer had a mother. We started to talk about how she did still have a mother, her mother was just in heaven now.
Well, Jacob wanted to make sure that he did a little fact checking to put his mind at ease. So, first he asked if my wife’s friend was a Christian. My wife explained that she was. Then Jacob asked if her mom had been a Christian, and my wife again explained that she was. That was sufficient for Jacob to conclude that they would be reunited in heaven, but then he proceeded to ask the most peculiar question:
What kind of Christian is she?
