Prayer Journal

Wednesday, August 14, 2002

"They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son." Zechariah 12:10

At first reading, you will recognize these as the words of Jesus spoken from the cross of Calvary. When you realize Zechariah wrote these words 520 years before Jesus was born, you realize how remarkable this prophecy really is.

David wrote over 1,050 years before Jesus birth, "Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men have encircled me,they have pierced my hands and my feet." (Psalm 22:16,17)

Isaiah wrote 760 years before Jesus was born, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

The prophets were aware that a suffering Messiah would come but they died long before He was born. Crucifixion had not been devised as a death penaty until the Roman Empire came along much later. That fact only serves to make these prophecies even more amazing.

When we look back at these prophecies from the twenty-first century, we can't help but be amazed how anyone alive when Jesus walked the earth could deny that He was Messiah.

But you know, your opinion of Jesus is all that matters. The thirty-eight different fulfilled Old Testament prophecies only serve to reinforce the fact that He is who He claimed to be. But, if you deny Him, all that doesn't serve any purpose. Trusting Jesus as Lord is a matter of personal faith.

But here's the rub: regardless of how you choose, it doesn't change the fact that He is Lord regardless of what you believe. One day you'll admit it to him.(Php 2:5-11) It makes sense to do that now, but the choice is yours.

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2002 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries - All Rights Reserved

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I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers

* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans

* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself