In his book, Science Speaks, Peter Stoner applies the modern science of probability to just eight prophecies concerning Christ. He says, “The chance that any man might have fulfilled all eight prophecies is one in 10 to the 17th. That would be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000” (one hundred quadrillion). Stoner suggests that “we take 10 to the 17th silver dollars and lay them on the face of the state of Texas. That many coins would cover the state in a layer of coins 2 feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars with a red pen mark and then stir the whole mass of coinage thoroughly. Blindfold a person and tell him he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up that one marked silver dollar. What would the chance be of finding the right one?”
Stoner concludes, “Just the same chance that the prophets would have had of writing those eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one person. . .providing they wrote them in their own wisdom.”
What were the chances? Astronomical! But God did what He promised He would do and He sent to us Himself, because it was just what we needed. You have probably heard it explained this way before, but let me share it again.
If our need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist. If our greatest need had been money (the thought of many this time of year), God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need would have been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.
Beyond all we could have dared hope for, God sent us the very best. The Light of the world split the darkness of our lives, and changed us forever.