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Furthermore, there are prophecies that point forward to the death of Christ. The Psalmist prophesied the betrayal of Christ (Psedm 41:9; John 13:18; Acts 1:16), the crucifixion and the attendant events (Psalm 22:1,7,18; Matthew 27:39,46; Mark 15:34; John 19:23),and the resurrection (Psalm 16:8- 11; Acts 2:25-28). Isaiah writes, ^He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5). Daniel indicates that after sixty-nine weeks Messizih will be cut off (Daniel 9:26). Zechariah foretells the selling of Christ for thirty pieces of silver and the investment of that sum inapotter'sfield(Zechariah11:12;Matthew26:15;27:9). Zechariahalsopre dicts the striking of the shepherd (13:7) and the opening of a fountain for s i n a n d i m p u r i t y (13:1). Thus, it is clear that the death of Christ is an impor
tant teaching of the Old Testament.
B It Is Prominent In the New Testament
The last week of Christ's earthly life occupies about one-fifth of the nar ratives in the four gospels. In the same way, the epistles are fflled with ref erences to this historic event. Manifestly, the Holy Spirit, the author of all scriptures, deemed the death and resurrection of our Lord of great impor tance.
C It Is the Chief Purpose of the incarnation
ChrisFs earthly ministry was not merely to set an example for us, or to teachusdoctrine. Hecametodieforus. HeHimselfdecla^,"Foreven the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to givehislifearansomformany"(Mark10:45). (SeeHebrews2:9,14;9:26;I John 3:5.) Christ's death was not jin afterthought, nor an accident, but w ^ the completion of a definite purpose concerning the manifestation of God in theflesh. ThemanifestationofGodinfleshisnotanendinitself,buta means to an end, and that end is the redemption of the lost through the death of Christ on the cross.
I Peter 3:18 affirms, "For Christ also hath once sufferedfor sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit", "The Father". (See also John 2:19-21; 12:27; Acts 2:32, 24; 10:40; 13:37; Romans 8:11.)
The vital importance of the manifestation of God in His flesh and blood is to build the divine fellowship between Himself and redeemed n^ankmd. He became our righteousness, redemption (Romans 3:23-26), advocate, (1 John 2:1-3), sanctification and eternal life. If we have eternal life, it means we have God's nature, a sanctified nature.
Peter, understanding the mystery of the manifestation of God in the flesh and the mystery of the new birth, said: "According as his divine power hath
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