Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. (Luke 1:1–4; NKJV)

Each of the Gospels gives a slightly different look at the major events during Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. Luke, in the opening verses of his narrative, sets his focus on providing an “orderly account” of “those things which have been fulfilled among us.” Fulfillment is an important biblical idea that gives us gives us confident hope in God and His promises to us.

Fulfillment in the Bible carries the idea of completion. The three main words translated ‘fulfill’ in the Old Testament (mālā͑, kālâ, and qûm) all express the idea of being accomplished, completed, or finished.¹ The two New Testament words translated ‘fulfill’ (plēroō, teleō) also express the idea of completion or bringing to an end.² This tells us that when we come across the word ‘fulfill’ in the Bible, God is telling us about the completion of something.

The Bible has a lot of examples, both positive and negative, of fulfillment. Some of these are:

• Genesis 25:24—Rebekah’s pregnancy coming to its end;
• Leviticus 22:21—following through with keeping one’s vows;
• 2 Sam 7:12—the ending of David’s physical life;
• 1 Kings 8:20—completion of the construction of the Temple; and
• Galatians 5:16—obedience to an external influence.

These examples show how the idea of fulfillment relates to different situations. There are three main senses of fulfillment in the Bible. As Chris Church explains,“an ethical sense of observing or meeting requirements; a prophetic sense of corresponding to what was promised, predicted, or foreshadowed; and a temporal sense related to the arrival of times ordained by God.”³ When we come across fulfillment in the Bible, it is helpful to keep these three senses in mind.

Of the three senses of fulfillment, the most common is the prophetic sense.⁴ God’s promises about the future are a major theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. The Gospels, for example, highlight how Jesus’ arrival fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. Matthew points out at least seven such prophecies (Matt 1:22; 2:5, 15, 17, 23; 3:3; 4:14). Luke includes similar details, such as Luke 1:17 (c.f., Mal 4:6), 32–33 (c.f., Isa 9:7), 34–35 (c.f., Isa 7:14).

Luke tells us in the opening verses of his gospel account that fulfillment is one of the key themes in his narrative. Luke is telling us who Jesus is, connecting Him to Old Testament promises like God sending a descendant of David (Luke 3:31; c.f., 2 Sam 7:12–16), who was to die for all our sin (Luke 23:32–34; c.f., Isa 53) and establish an eternal Kingdom (Luke 23:1–3; c.f., Isa 9:6–7).

For Christians, the true meaning of Christmas is found in the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ. When Jesus was born, God was fulfilling several promises, including:

• to send a Son, born of a virgin, who would receive the throne of His father David (Luke 1:30–34; c.f., Isa 7:14–15; 9:6–7);
• to send His Anointed to preach good news, heal the brokenhearted, and set the prisoners free (Luke 4:16–21; c.f., Isa 61:1);
• to send His Servant to restore Israel, be a light to the Gentiles, and bring salvation to the world (Luke 2:25–32; c.f., Isa 49:6); and
• to send One to bear our iniquity, pour out His soul to death, and make intercession for us (Luke 24:46–48; c.f., Isa 53).

We have a God who makes and keeps His promises. Sometimes immediately. Other times after a long wait (from our human viewpoint). But God is never early, nor late, to bring His promises to completion. He always fulfills His promises right on time. And the fact that He has fulfilled so many promises already shows that we can trust Him to make good on His promises for our lives, both this present life and the next.

Know that God cares deeply for you and has the power to keep His promises in your life. God loves you (John 3:16), draws you to Himself (John 6:44), and promises you eternal life with Him when you believe in Jesus (John 20:31). God also promises to be with you (Heb 13:5–6), dwell in you (Rom 8:11), and keep you in His love (Rom 8:38–39).

This Christmas, as we celebrate the gift of our Savior’s birth, let’s also remember and find rest in the presence of our faithful, loving God.

Notes

1. Roland K. Harrison, “Fulfillment,” in Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, ed. Walter A. Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), 276. Logos Bible Software.
2. Ibid.
3. Chris Church, “Fulfill,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Chad Brand et al., (Nashville, TN: Holman, 2003), 604. Logos Bible Software.
4. Ibid.