they are irreproachable witnesses, and, what is more, they
thereby accomplish the prophecies.

By means of the fact that this people have not accepted Him, this miracle
here has happened. The prophecies were the only lasting miracles which could
be wrought, but they were liable to be denied.

761. The Jews, in slaying Him in order not to receive Him as the Messiah,
have given Him the final proof of being the Messiah.

And in continuing not to recognise Him, they made themselves irreproachable
witnesses. Both in slaying Him and in continuing to deny Him, they have
fulfilled the prophecies (Is. 60; Ps. 71).

762. What could the Jews, His enemies, do? If they receive Him, they give
proof of Him by their reception; for then the guardians of the expectation
of the Messiah receive Him. If they reject Him, they give proof of Him by
their rejection.

763. The Jews, in testing if He were God, have shown that He was man.

764. The Church has had as much difficulty in showing that Jesus Christ was
man, against those who denied it, as in showing that He was God; and the
probabilities were equally great.

765. Source of contradictions.--A God humiliated, even to the death on the
cross; a Messiah triumphing over death by his own death. Two natures in
Jesus Christ, two advents, two states of man's nature.

766. Types.--Saviour, father, sacrificer, offering, food, king, wise,
law-giver, afflicted, poor, having to create a people whom He must lead and
nourish and bring into His land...

Jesus Christ. Offices.--He alone had to create a great people, elect, holy,
and chosen; to lead, nourish, and bring it into the place of rest and
holiness; to make it holy to God; to make it the temple of God; to reconcile
it to, and, save it from, the wrath of God; to free it from the slavery of
sin, which visibly reigns in man; to give laws to this people, and engrave
these laws on their heart; to offer Himself to God for them, and sacrifice
Himself for them; t