Is Jesus the Messiah?
The Meaning of Messiah
When you hear the word Messiah, what image comes to mind? A bunch of singers in search of an orchestra at Christmas time? Let's face it, most of us do not really know what the word means.
Messiah is the English version of the Hebrew word for "anointed one." The Israelite kings were "anointed." The priesthood was "anointed." The prophets were "anointed" with God's Spirit as they proclaimed their thundering message of righteousness and justice. In short, this "anointing" conveys a special authority given from God.
The Messianic Resumé
How would you recognize the Messiah if you met him one day walking down Fifth Avenue...or in Tel Aviv? What are his credentials?
The Jewish people have been looking for him for centuries. The question is, have we been looking in the right direction?
The writers of the Hebrew Bible gave us a detailed description of what the Messiah would do. It may surprise you:
His Birth
Messiah would be born in Bethlehem-Micah 5:2
(5:1 in Hebrew):
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
His Life
He would be the "Servant of the Lord" described in Isaiah 49:6:
"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
His Death and Resurrection
Isaiah 53:11 describes Messiah's atoning death for the sake of our restoration.
"After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities." (Also see Psalm 16)
His Divine Nature
Isaiah 9:6-7 (9:5-6 in Hebrew) portrays the Messianic inheritor of the throne of David as the "Mighty God" and "Everlasting Father."
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." (Also see Psalm 2:7-8)
What are we to conclude from this Messianic "job description?"
There is only one person who fulfills these Messianic credentials.
It is Jesus, whose Hebrew name is Yeshua. His life was so closely tied to the Hebrew Scriptures that he was able to declare to his Jewish audience,
"If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?" (John 5:46-47).
There is a "Messianic portrait" found in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the teachings of our ancient Jewish sages. It portrays a man who would also embody the nature of God Almighty. This Messiah would serve, suffer and die. He would also rise and will return one day to rule. Only one person resembles this portrait-in every detail. It is Yeshua, Jesus.
A Jewish person who accepts the Messianic claims of Yeshua has simply embraced the Messianic hope penned over thousands of years by the Jewish authors of Scripture.
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Common Questions
Can God become a man?
The very idea that God would become a man to identify with us and pay the penalty for our sin was God's, not man's. He predicted this in the Hebrew Scriptures and fulfilled His promise in Jesus. In fact, any debate on the subject should be with God and the Hebrew Bible, not with "Christianity."
Judaism has struggled for centuries with the question of how a holy God can relate to humanity. Yet the Hebrew Scriptures hinted at this possibility all along. What does it mean that God "walked in the garden in the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8) or that Israel's leaders "saw God, and they ate and drank" (Exodus 24:11)? After all, if God could take the form of a burning bush, why not that of a person?
Couldn't it be idolatry to believe in Jesus?
Idolatry is the worship of something false-something made by human beings and worshiped as a god. With respect to the person of the Messiah, there is a difference between the concept of worshiping a mere man-which would be idolatrous-and worshipping the God of Israel Who has taken on the form of a man. If Jesus is God in the flesh then he should be worshiped as God.
Then why don't the rabbis believe?
Many rabbis did believe and many came close. References to the "Suffering Messiah" may be found in the Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 98b and in the Targum Jonathan). Numerous rabbis, Moses Maimonides among them, also understood that Isaiah 53 referred to the suffering of a specific person-the Messiah. There are also large groups of Hasidic Jewish people who believe that Rabbi Menachem Schneerson was the Messiah, suffered for his people, and will rise from his grave.
And, there are many rabbis who did believe Jesus was the Messiah. The founder of Chosen People Ministries, Rabbi Leopold Cohn, was one of them. His story is available for the asking! Just call 1-888-2-YESHUA.
Why don't you believe that Jesus is the Messiah? Have you studied the facts for yourself or have you allowed others to make up your mind for you?
What's Next?
If Jesus is the Messiah, what should I do?
There is only one thing to do. Receive the gift of forgiveness He offers by accepting Him as your Lord. You can do this, right now, by praying:
"Messiah Jesus, I receive You now as my Lord and ask You to guide and empower me to become Your true follower. I accept the atonement You made for my sins, and accept Your free gift of forgiveness. Help me turn from my former way of life and follow You."
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
Where can I find out more?
We can put you in touch with other Jewish people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah. We can give you resources to help you in your search for truth. Read the Bible, starting with the story of Messiah's life in the first four books of the New Testament...and keep reading!
Call 1-888-2-YESHUA.
