December 24: NOT FOR HIMSELF

Seventy weeks are determined for your people [the Jews] and for your holy city [Jerusalem] . . . from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks . . . and after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off . . . Daniel 9:24a, 25b, 26a

The timing of the birth of Jesus was ‘spot-on’ in the fulfillment of the seventy-week prophecy. The climactic 70th week* was the seven-year stretch which followed the seven weeks and sixty-two weeks (or 483 years). This final week of the seventy weeks (490-year) period determined for the Jews was deliberately set apart from the first sixty-nine to emphasize its vital significance in the plan of salvation. The 70th week was inaugurated by the baptism of Jesus by His cousin John the Baptist in the fall of 27AD (see Matthew 3:16-17). This event launched His three-and-one-half-year ministry, which composed the first half of the 70th week.

The words cut off are an English translation of a Hebrew expression meaning killed. How poignantly painful for the truly repentant to look back upon the precious baby Jesus knowing the agony of the cross He was to endure!

Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. v.26a

Baby Jesus would grow up to lay down His life as the ultimate and complete sin offering for us, beloved. He was the spotless, sinless, Lamb of God.

Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. Daniel 9:27a

The death of the Lamb of God upon the cross brought an end to sacrifice and offering. This event in the middle of the week was the pinnacle of the 70th week. (Later we will look closely at the second half of the 70th week.) The unseen hand of God tore the temple veil from top to bottom to accompany the death of His Son, making it crystal clear that the sacrificial system was no longer in effect. The ceremonial law was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14).

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. Matthew 27:50-51

*reminder: the day/year principle in Bible prophecy is given to us in these verses: Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6, Luke 13:32-33