We have been studying prophets in the Bible and their role and purpose in the Scriptures. We started at the beginning, with Abraham and have worked our way through the many different characters and roles prophets have played throughout history. This time we will conclude our study with the ultimate prophet who we’ve been waiting for. The one prophet who is to be the fulfillment of all prophets before him and to be the ultimate messenger, Jesus. How do we know that Jesus is this prophet? Let’s find out together. 

One thing the Bible tries to make really clear is that Jesus is the true prophet we have long waited for. The biblical authors make sure to include the significant events surrounding the roles of the Hebrew prophets. We have seen prophets teach, perform miracles, confront the leaders of Israel, and give hope to the people. Jesus did all of these things. He performed miracles, he taught better than anyone else, he confronted the leaders that were corrupt and trying to kill him. Through his death and resurrection, he gave hope to every nation and people that would believe in Him. This is why everything has been pointing to Jesus. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Scriptures.    

The Bible makes many references to Jesus being the prophet we have long waited for. We have been waiting for this prophet since God spoke of him since the days of Deuteronomy when God said that He would raise up a prophet among them. After Jesus fed the 5,000 the people took this as a sign that he really was this prophet. John 6:14 tells us, “When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” They had heard him teach such powerful words from the Father himself. They just witnessed this miraculous sign that can be done by no other power than God himself. They were left with a choice. To either accept that Jesus is the Prophet to come or he was an imposter that had some good tricks. The evidence speaks for itself. Jesus was really this prophet and now that he has come, everything should be good. But then he dies and it seems that nothing makes sense. Then he raises from the dead and then gives a command that could not be ignored. 

After Jesus resurrects, he is about to go back to the Father and ascend to heaven. He has done what he came to do and the prophet we’ve been waiting for is going away. But he leaves his disciples with a command to keep on the work that he started. Matthew 28:19 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Jesus has taught what He needed to and now He is giving them the Spirit, so they can go and do the same. The powerful effect of this prophet is that His Spirit continues to live in each one of us who believes and does His will. His power goes beyond earthly bounds and continues to captivate His people. This is a true fulfillment of a prophet that only Jesus can do.