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| Is Jesus the Messiah? |
| The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew word, Mashiyach, meaning "anointed one." The question of who is God's anointed one has captivated the minds of every generation since time began. About two thousand years ago the world was given the answer to this mystery. Jesus Christ, the baby born in Bethlehem, the man who died on a cross for our sins, the son of God who rose from the grave, is the Messiah. How do we know that this statement is true? We use the Old Testament as a study guide to learn what is expected from the Messiah. When we consider the fact that every prophecy that was made about the Messiah in the Old Testament was fulfilled by Jesus hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of years later, we can not ignore the evidence that Jesus is the Anointed One. First, let us begin with the birth of Christ. The account of Jesus' birth is a familiar story to most of us. This account can be found in Matthew 1:18-25, and Luke 2:1-20, for those who want to research the history. It tells of the virgin Mary and her husband, Joseph, traveling to Bethlehem, Mary gives birth to Jesus in a manger. Mary being a virgin fulfills what the prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." The fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem also fulfills a prophecy that Micah made. (Micah 5:2) "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among that clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." The prophecies of the Messiah that Jesus fulfills still continues. As Jesus grows he becomes a teacher of the Word, spreading the news of God and salvation to everyone. But, it was his own people, the Jews, who hated and rejected him. In John 1:11 it says, "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him."This very rejection, which would eventually lead to the crucifixion of Jesus, was foretold in Isaiah 53:3, "He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him." It was even destined that one of His closest friends would reject and betray him. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a man who followed Jesus through trials, and tribulation, became overpowered by the temptations of the world and turned Jesus over to the high priests for a mere 30 pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14,15) Today, this amount would be equivalent to about 1,200 dollars. Although this seems like a low price for the life of a friend, the 30 pieces of silver fulfilled another prophecy. In Zechariah 11:12 it forshadows Judas' deal with the priests, "I said to them, "If it is good in your sight, give me my wages;but if not, never mind!" So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages." After Jesus' betrayal He was sentenced to die the cruel death of crucifixion even though no fault could be found in him. Jesus was beaten, stripped, mocked, and hung on a cross like a common criminal. In fact, he was placed between two thieves on the hill. (Luke 23:33) Even this was prophesied in Isaiah 53:12, "...Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors..." Death could not conquer our Messiah, Jesus Christ. After lying dead in a tomb for 3 days He defeated death by rising again. (Mark 16:6,7) Jesus once again proved he was Messiah by fulfilling what was written in Psalms 16:10, "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol (the grave); Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay." and Psalms 49:15, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of Shoel, For He will receive me. Selah." Once again Jesus walked and preached among the people here on earth, but not for long. After 40 days, Jesus ascended back into Heaven to be with His Father and to prepare a home for His followers. (Mark 16:19, Ephesians 4:8) This ascension was described in Psalms 68:18, "You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious also, that the Lord od may dwell there." The prophecies that we have discussed here are only a few of many that Jesus fulfilled. From the Patriarchs to the Prophets are countless descriptions of how to recognize the Messiah. The recorded life of Jesus is paralleled to what was foretold in the Old Testament. The evidence is clear. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has been, and will be, the only "Anointed One." Will you recognize him as the Messiah today? |