Circle of Love

January 12, 2010

MAJOR MESSIANIC PASSAGES

The Hebrew word Messiah, meaning “Anointed One” is translated “the Christ in the Greek language.  In the Old Testament, the word is often associated with the anointing of a prophet, a priest, king, or other ruler.  God’s promise to Abraham that in him and his descendants, all the world would be blessed (Gen. 12: 1-3) “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” created the expectancy of a kingdom of God on earth among the Hebrew people.  The reign of David as king of Judah further shaped popular messianic expectations that the coming kingdom would be one like King David’s (2 Sam. 7).

As the Hebrew kingdom divided after Solomon’s time, the idea of a messianic deliverer became popular.  The people of Israel looked for a political ruler to deliver them from their enemies.  The “salvation” spoken of in the Psalms and some prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah was interpreted as referring to a deliverance from Israel’s enemies, especially threatening world powers ( Ps 69:35; “For God will save Zion and will build cities of Judah that they may dwell there and have it in possession.” Is 25:9,”And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God: we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation”. Jer. 42:11) “Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the Lord: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand.” The Hebrew people tended to overlook or ignore such prophecies as the Suffering Servant message of Isaiah 53, which foretold that the Messiah would suffer and die.

1. Major Old Testament passages indicated that the Messiah would be born of a virgin (Is 7:14) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel”.

2. Born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2) “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; who going forth have been from of old , from everlasting”.

3. He would be a descendant of the house of David (2 Sam. 7:12). “and it was told King David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obededam, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God.  So David went and brought up the Ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness”.

4. He would be a “Man of Sorrows”, (Is 53:3) “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrow, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as if were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not”.

5. Would suffer rejection by His own people (Ps. 69:8) “I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children”. (Ps. 41:9), “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me”.

6. Crucified between two thieves (Is. 53:12). Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors, and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors”.

7. As Messiah died, His spirit would be commended to His Father (Ps 31:5). “Into thine hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth”.

8. He would be raised from the dead (Ps 16:10) “For thou wilt not wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption”.

9. Take His Place at God’s right hand (Ps. 110:1) “The lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool”.

Jesus fulfilled these prophecies as Prophet, Priest, and King, but He came to deliver humankind from the reign of sin and bind us into God’s family (Luke 4:18, 19 Acts 2:36-42). “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36, He told Pilate.  He ruled by serving (Matt. 20: 25-28).  As a priest, He offered not the blood of animals, but Himself, as a full and final sacrifice for sins (John 10:11-18; Heb. 9:12