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Chapter 11

God’s Promised Messiah

The Old Testament Scriptures speak of a leader chosen and sent by God to save his people and to reign forever. This leader is known as the “Christ” or the “Messiah” – which are Greek and Hebrew terms respectively, meaning the “anointed” or the “Anointed One”.

In New Testament times the Jews looked forward to the Messiah’s coming – and many still do today. But the New Testament provides compelling evidence that this Messiah was in fact Jesus Christ.

Promise of a Messiah

Promise that one would arise as a great ruler of Israel

[God:] As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah — from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.   Micah 5:2 NET

Promise that he would bring God’s salvation to the nations

[God, as speaking to the Messiah:] I will make you a light for all nations to show people all over the world the way to be saved.   Isaiah 49:6b NCV™

Prophecy of the Messiah’s Death for Sins

The Messiah would die for people’s sins, but then be raised

But he was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds. … 10But it was the Lord who decided to crush him and make him suffer. The Lord made his life a penalty offering, but he will still see his descendants and live a long life. He will complete the things the Lord wants him to do. 11“After his soul suffers many things, he will see life and be satisfied. My good servant will make many people right with God; he will carry away their sins.   Isaiah 53:5, 10-11 NCV™

Verse 5 speaks of the Messiah’s suffering for people’s sins bringing them spiritual healing – effectively peace with God. Verse 10 appears to speak of God raising his messianic servant to life (following his death). The term “his descendants” (v. 10b) refers to the servant’s spiritual descendants – those who would be given life through him. The resurrection of the Messiah is further spoken of in v. 11.

The Messiah’s Identity

The OT Scriptures show that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ

For with his strong arguments he [Apollos] defeated the Jews in public debates by proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.   Acts 18:28 GNT

Jesus’ deeds showed that he is the Messiah

Jesus performed many other miracles that his disciples saw. Those miracles are not written in this book. 31But these miracles have been written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and so that you will have life by believing in him.   John 20:30-31 GW

Jesus Christ came as a human being

By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he [God] condemned sin in the flesh, …   Romans 8:3b NET

God sent Jesus Christ “in a human body like ours” (NLT).

The Messiah’s Mission

God sent Jesus Christ to take away sins

You know that Christ came to take away sins.   1 John 3:5a CEV

God sent Jesus Christ to save the world

God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!   John 3:17 CEV

Pray for persecuted Christians