Read 1 Peter 1:10-12

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Reflect

How much did God's people in the Old Testament understand about how God would provide salvation through the coming of the Messiah—the Hebrew word for Christ? Even as the Holy Spirit revealed some things to them, like the fact that the Christ would suffer and then be glorified, Peter says that they prophesied for the benefit of those would come generations later and be able to recognize the Christ when he came. The fact that Jesus fulfilled all of the Old Testament prophecies about him was strong proof to his generation and those that followed that he was who he claimed to be: the Son of God.

Respond

Can you think of any Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus' birth, his ministry, or his death and resurrection? Thank God that he kept his promise to send the Messiah to pay the price for our salvation.