"There is enough light for those who desire only to see, and enough darkness for those of a contrary disposition." -Blaise Pascal
The question is, why didn't God reveal His plan for mankind clear as day? The answer is one of practicality. It had to be mysterious so that it would occur without appearing contrived and concocted. If the Jews had prophecies saying clearly that the Messiah would be sacrificed, and then carried them out, what would the world have said? Big deal? So what? But if it happens naturally, it is all the more believable. The prophecies are fulfilled and there is room for faith.
In another rare instance where Jesus points to an Old Testament prophecy concerning Himself we read in Matthew 21:42...
"Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER STONE; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'?"
So it is the Lord's doing, and not man's. This perfectly measured 'corner stone' from which the building is set straight, is rejected. Yet the Lord has exalted Him. The work was given to others and the former builders were scattered within a generation.
Now, in another place Jesus says of Himself, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life." (John 3:14,15)
This is a reference to the time when the people of Israel were healed from deadly snake bites by looking at a bronze serpent that the Lord told Moses to make. This required an act of faith, looking at the serpent. Christ too was lifted up on the cross and God 'made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21).
He took our place out of love, satisfying the judgement of God to bring us peace with the Father.
The question is, why didn't God reveal His plan for mankind clear as day? The answer is one of practicality. It had to be mysterious so that it would occur without appearing contrived and concocted. If the Jews had prophecies saying clearly that the Messiah would be sacrificed, and then carried them out, what would the world have said? Big deal? So what? But if it happens naturally, it is all the more believable. The prophecies are fulfilled and there is room for faith.
In another rare instance where Jesus points to an Old Testament prophecy concerning Himself we read in Matthew 21:42...
"Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER STONE; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'?"
So it is the Lord's doing, and not man's. This perfectly measured 'corner stone' from which the building is set straight, is rejected. Yet the Lord has exalted Him. The work was given to others and the former builders were scattered within a generation.
Now, in another place Jesus says of Himself, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life." (John 3:14,15)
This is a reference to the time when the people of Israel were healed from deadly snake bites by looking at a bronze serpent that the Lord told Moses to make. This required an act of faith, looking at the serpent. Christ too was lifted up on the cross and God 'made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21).
He took our place out of love, satisfying the judgement of God to bring us peace with the Father.
