God’s Grace Appeared
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men (Titus 2:11).
Every person in the world is within the reach of God’s salvation. No one is beyond having their sins forgiven and obtaining everlasting life. The word “appeared” in our text is the Greek word ἐπιφαίνω/epiphainō. From this word, we get our English word, epiphany, which refers to the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. The word literally means “to shine upon” or “to become visible.” It is a good Christmas word in that it speaks of the revelation of God the Son as a human being.
This wasn’t something that just happened. Not only was this the plan of God to manifest His grace upon us, but God through the prophets spoke of this manifestation many times in the Old Testament. When He came, John the Baptist bare witness of Him, and cried, saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for He was before me. And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:15-17). John was born before Jesus, but he recognized that Jesus preceded him in eternity. By way of epiphany, the grace of God emerged out of the Old Testament and the Law of God.
Note in this writing some of the Old Testament prophecies given prior to Christ’s appearance at the time of His birth in Bethlehem.
- He must descend 1) from Abraham [Genesis 11:2-3; 13:5; 15:18; 17:8; (seed is not plural in Genesis 3:15), 2) from Judah (Genesis 49:10) and 3) from King David (II Samuel 7:16; Psalm 89; I Chronicles 22; Luke 3:29-38). Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ (Galatians 3:16).
- He was to be born at Bethlehem in Judaea (Micah 5:2). The wise men came from the East to inquire where Christ would be born (Matthew 2:3-8; Luke 2:1-7). This prophecy was given roughly 700 years before Christ was born in Bethlehem. People by the thousands gather in Bethlehem at Christmas to celebrate His birth.
- The very year of Christ’s Coming was foretold. Daniel 9 reveals that Christ would begin His public ministry a certain number of years after a decree by Medo-Persian King Artaxerxes to restore Jerusalem (9:25). The prophecy used the term “weeks” to describe the intervening years. These “weeks” were weeks of years, the same as weeks of days. After sixty-nine sevens of years (7 plus 62 by 7 or 483 years) —Messiah the Prince would appear. Surely the wisemen of Matthew 2 had some information of this sort when they sought the infant Jesus.
- Daniel 9:26 reveals that the Messiah would be “cut off,” or put to death (crucifixion) and this would take place prior to a second destruction of Jerusalem which occurred in 70 AD.
- Herod’s Slaughter of innocent babies and the flight with the Baby Jesus into Egypt was foretold (Hosea 11:1; Psalm 2; Matthew 2:14, 15; 16-18). Many innocent babies were killed by Herod, fearing another king might take his place. Note Jeremiah 31:15 and the record of its fulfillment in Matthew 2:17, 18.
- Prophecies and the parable like elements of the sacrificial system foretold many exhaustive details of the death of Christ:
A. That Christ must die for others — substitutionary, atoning death (Isaiah 53:5,6).
B. The Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) — Scapegoat pictured Christ carrying away our sins.
C. The bullock as a sacrifice pictured Christ, our burden-bearer.
D. The turtledove pictured Christ as the pure and innocent One, the stainless One, Who alone could give His life for others.
E. All the bloody animal sacrifices in the Old Testament pictured the blood of Christ which alone could atone for our sins (Leviticus 17:11; I Corinthians 15:3, 4; I Peter 1:18, 19).
- The Messiah, Savior must be hanged on a wood cross (Deuteronomy 21:22, 23). According to the Scriptures, one who is hanged is accursed of God. Jesus Christ bore our curse (Galatians 3:13; Zechariah 13:6; Psalm 22). Many of the prophecies about Christ’s crucifixion occurred 400 years before to this custom was invented.
- At His crucifixion, Jesus would not have any of His bones broken (Psalm 34:20; Numbers 9:12; Zechariah 12:10; John 19:33, 36). This was contrary to the normal procedure at crucifixions. His quick death eliminated the need for His bones to be broken.
- Instead, the soldiers pierced our Savior with a spear (Psalm 34:20; Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34-37).
- Psalm 22 gives a very detailed picture of Christs death on Calvary’s Cross.
A. The very words that Christ uttered on the cross were foretold (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46) – My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?
B. The words of onlookers (Psalm 22:7,8; Matthew 27:43).
C. They pierced My hands and feet (Psalm 22:16).
D. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture (Psalm 22:18; Matthew 27:35).
During His presence on earth, Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, in human form. Many times when His enemies tried to take Him captive or kill Him yet they constantly failed. Why? It was not yet the fulness of time (Galatians 4:4, 5).
We could say much more. We need to recognize that we have every reason to believe God’s Word. The prophetic proclamations and their fulfillment are so accurate in many minute details that it seems incredible that anyone would not believe on Christ and trust Him as their own personal Lord and Savior.
Praise Him today and honor Him as your own personal Lord, King, Redeemer, Creator, Sustainer, Master and Savior.
George Stiekes serves as a Lay Pastor at Bethany Bible Church in Hendersonville, NC. See here for a more complete bio of brother Stiekes extensive ministry. We republish his material by permission.
Photo by Jose Mieres on Unsplash