APPENDIX 2: ABOUT THE MESSIAH
© Rosemary Bardsley 2009
The word ‘Christ’ is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew ‘Messiah’. Both words refer to the deliverer God had promised to send. For the most part the Jews were looking for a political/national human deliverer, whose actions would set them free from the tyranny of the Romans and re-establish Israel as a prosperous, independent nation ruled by a descendant of David, the greatest king in Israel 's history. In so limiting their concept of the Messiah the Jews were overlooking those portions of the prophecies which depict the work of the Messiah as encompassing the whole world, and the person of the Messiah as far more exalted than a national hero and a Davidic king.
Some Old Testament anticipations regarding the Messiah:
Deuteronomy 18:14-19 : Messiah as a prophet
The Messiah will be a prophet like Moses.
He will be ‘from among their brothers’.
God will put his words in this prophet’s mouth.
He will speak everything God tells him.
If anyone does not listen to this prophet God will call him to account.
Psalm 2:1-12 : Messiah as the King
The Messiah is the Lord’s ‘Anointed One’.
He is God’s King, installed in Zion .
He is God’s Son; God is his Father.
God will make the nations his inheritance, the ends of the earth his possession.
Wrath will be upon those who do not honour the Messiah.
Blessing is upon those who take refuge in him.
Psalm 22:1-31 : The suffering of the Messiah
He is forsaken by God.
He is deep and constant agony.
He is despised, mocked and insulted by the people.
He is surrounded by aggressive enemies.
His suffering is intense.
People cast lots for his clothing.
He declares God’s name among the people.
Psalm 110 : The Messiah is the Lord at God’s right hand
He is in the place of honour and exaltation.
He rules from Zion , even in the midst of his enemies.
He is a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
He conquers kings and rulers in the whole earth.
He judges the nations.
Psalm 132:11-18 : The Messiah is the King of David’s line
He is the descendant of David
His throne is for ever and ever
He is God’s anointed one
God will clothe this King’s enemies with shame
This king’s crown will be resplendent.
Isaiah 9 : The Messiah is the Son
The government is on his shoulders
He is called Wonderful Counsellor
He is called Mighty God
He is called Everlasting Father
He is called Prince of Peace
There is no end to the increase of his government.
Isaiah 11:1- 10 : The Messiah is the Son of David
He is the stump of Jesse
He is a Branch
The Spirit of the Lord is upon him – the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
He delights in the fear of the Lord.
He judges in righteousness and justice in the earth
Righteousness is his belt, faithfulness his sash.
He inaugurates a reign of peace
Through him the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
He stands as a rallying point for all people.
His place of rest is glorious.
Isaiah 40:5-11 : The Messiah is the Sovereign Lord
The Messiah reveals the glory of the Lord
All mankind sees it
In his coming God comes [see verse 9]
He is the Sovereign Lord
He tends his flock like a shepherd
Isaiah 42:1-7 : The Messiah – God’s Chosen One
He is God’s servant
He is God’s chosen one, in whom God delights
God’s Spirit is upon him
He is humble and compassionate
He is faithful and just, establishing justice
He will not fail or be discouraged
God has called him in righteousness
God sustains him
God makes him a covenant for the people
God makes him a light for the Gentiles
He opens blind eyes, frees captives, releases those in darkness.
Isaiah 49:1-7 : The One prepared by God
The Lord called him before his birth
The Lord sharpened his mouth
The Lord prepared him in secret
He displays the splendour of the Lord
He is God’s servant to bring Israel back to God
God also makes him a light for the Gentiles, to bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth.
He was despised, abhorred.
Kings will see him and rise up, princes will see him and bow down.
He is the one chosen by God.
Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 : The Messiah is the Suffering Servant
He is God’s servant
He is highly exalted
He is grossly disfigured
He impacts many nations and kings
He reveals things not previously seen or understood
He was despised and rejected by men
He bore the sins of many and the punishment necessary for the acquittal of many
He was silent in the presence of his tormenters
This was God’s pleasure and will
Justification comes to many because he bore their transgressions.
Jeremiah 23:5-6; 33:14-16 : the Messiah is ‘the LORD Our Righteousness’
The is the ‘righteous Branch’ or ‘righteous Sprout’ of David
The King who rules wisely and justly
His name is ‘the LORD Our Righteousness’
He rules an eternal kingdom
Daniel 7:13,14
One like a son of man
Coming with the clouds of heaven
Entered the presence of the Ancient of Days
Given authority, glory and sovereign power
All peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him
His dominion is everlasting and will not pass away
His kingdom will never be destroyed
Zechariah 6:12ff
His name is ‘the Branch’
He builds the temple of the LORD
He will be clothed with majesty
He sits and rules on his throne
He will be a priest on his throne
Some New Testament references to the Messiah [the Christ] |
Matthew 11:2-6 Matthew 16:16-20 Matthew 26:63-64 Luke 2:26-32 Luke 3:15-17 Luke 4:41 Luke 23:35-43 Luke 24:46-47 John 1:41 John 4:25-29, 42 John 9:22 John 10:22-26 John 12:30-34 |