At the core of Jesus’ passion predictions lie three main components:

• In Jerusalem, Jesus would suffer and die.
• Jesus would be rejected.
• He would be resurrected victoriously “after three days” (Matthew 27:63; Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34) or “on the third day” (Matthew 17:23; 20:19; Luke 18:33; 24:7).

Which of these predictions is most difficult for you to grasp? Why?

Jesus’ passion predictions are the climactic tipping point of the Gospels. But the passion was not just predicted in the Gospels; the predictions began in the Old Testament. To quote a great 20^th-century scholar, “Jesus found himself in the Old Testament.” The whole canon of Scripture predicts and proclaims the Resurrection.

To what extent have you relied on the Old Testament for information about Jesus’ suffering, death and Resurrection?

Why is the Old Testament important for understanding the New Testament?

When we read the Old Testament, the Messiah is not a side-bar issue but the focal point. Jesus relied on the Old Testament to clarify His mission and ministry. Because of this, we know the Cross was not an accident or triumph of evil; it was the preordained will of God, and it was foretold in the Old Testament. Jesus saw Himself as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Jesus quoted or alluded to Deuteronomy around 15 or 16 times, Isaiah around 40 times, and the Psalms around 13 times.

Jesus’ favorite way of referring to Himself was the phrase “Son of Man,” this self-designation appears over 80 times in the Gospels. This title also appears in Daniel 7:13–14:

I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him.

He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.

What does this Old Testament passage teach us about Jesus?

How should it build our faith to know that Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection were predicted before His earthly ministry began?