“The PERSON of Messiah” Who Is He?
INTRODUCTION
Advent means arrival, start, coming, beginning, dawn. Christmas commemorates the first advent of Jesus Christ. Every Jew and many Gentiles looked forward to the coming of the Messiah promised all through the Hebrew Scriptures. God imbedded details of His Son’s person and work from Genesis to Malachi. We call them Messianic Prophecies or prophecies related to Messiah’s coming. They begin with general statements and progress to some very specific details regarding His person, practice, purpose, passion and even the period and place He would arrive. We will take the next four weeks exploring many of those prophetic passages in anticipation of celebrating Jesus’ coming to this earth the first time. We will try to view it as did those who lived at that time. The prophecies provided pertinent clues in answer to the basic questions anyone asks.
Who, What, Why, How, When, Where?
Who is He? (Person)
What will He do? (Practice)
Why Is He coming? (Purpose)
How will He help us? (Passion)
When is He coming? (Period)
Where will He come? (Place)
DESPERATE TIMES
Ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God, the darkness of sin descended upon the earth.
Adam surrendered his rule over the earth to the evil one.
Scripture calls Satan the “Prince of the power of the air.” (Eph 2)
Jesus called Satan the “Ruler of this Word.” John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11
John reminded his readers that the whole world remained in Satan’s grasp. 1 John 5:19
You can trace the devastation of his ruinous rule all through human history. Sin and death have reigned from the time of Adam because Satan rules and reigns. However, God promised deliverance from the time of sin’s entrance on the scene.
And I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel." Genesis 3:15
The “seed” here is singular in reference to a particular person. From that moment on, Satan worked tirelessly to prevent the arrival of that promised destroyer; that crusher of his head.
Eve thought deliverance would come through her first born Cain. Oops! As the prophecies became more specific, Satan’s tactics became more focused. Sin and darkness descended.
Mankind was in desperate need of light. Mankind anxiously awaited the promised deliverer.
HOPEFUL PROMISES
God graciously extended hope and light as history arrived at the right time.
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5
The Jews looked for Messiah for hundreds of years. This glorious hope was passed from generation to generation. They anticipated a deliverer. They looked for a King who would not only deliver them, but rule the entire world. At the time of Christ’s coming, God had not spoken any new words for the past 400 years. They relied upon what had already been written. In the midst of oppressive Roman rule, new longings for deliverance stirred within them. Some did the divine math of Daniel’s 70 weeks and followed the symbolism of the image playing out in history. A heightened anticipation permeated the land. Now is the time for salvation. But who were they expecting? There are over 300 prophecies concerning Jesus in the Old Testament.
Jesus Himself traced Himself through the Scriptures.
Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Luke 24:27
Some have minimized the wonder of the fulfilled prophecies concerning Christ by asserting that He was just a man who orchestrated their fulfillment. One cursory examination of the specific prophecies is sufficient to completely dismantle that argument. Most of the prophecies related to things outside the control of any individual person.
I.e. Heritage, place of birth, reaction of people, mode of death, betrayal, burial
Besides, all these prophecies were written long before the birth of Christ and came to pass long after the death of the prophet. Neither the prophet nor the one prophesied had any control over the fulfillment. One could study these prophecies book by book in Biblical order or topically.
I have chosen to explore them topically. They relate to His person, His practice (work), His passion, His purpose.
What kind of deliverer did God promise? Who would He be? There were prophecies related to His connection to both God and Man.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; Isaiah 9:6
“Child born” – humanity “Son given” – deity.
There are a number of passages that highlight both His humanity and deity.
SON OF MAN
The prophecies made clear that Messiah would be completely human. Prophecies of His Heritage begin broad and narrow to a specific family.
“seed of the woman”
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel." Genesis 3:15
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son(humanity), and she will call His name Immanuel (deity). Isaiah 7:14
Fulfillment: Gal 4:4; Matt 1:18, 24, 25; Luke 1:26-35
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5
“Seed of Abraham”
"In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." Gen 22:18
Fulfillment
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. Galatians 3:16
The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: Matthew 1:1
“Son of Isaac”
But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. Genesis 21:12
Fulfillment: Trace in the genealogy in Luke and Matthew
“Son of Jacob”
"I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth. Numbers 24:17 Prophecy of Balaam
“Tribe of Judah”
"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Genesis 49:10
"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah (Humanity), 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 (Deity)." Micah 5:2
“Line of Jesse”
Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Isa 11:1-2
Then in that day the nations will resort to the root of Jesse, who will stand as a signal for the peoples; and His resting place will be glorious. Isaiah 11:10
“House of David”
"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. Jeremiah 23:5
The LORD has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back: "Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne. Psalm 132:11
Fulfillment
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:1-4
And the Word became flesh (humanity), and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father (deity), full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Ok, so He is one of us. But can he help us? What makes you think He can do anything about our darkness? There have been a lot of great people. How is He different?
SON OF GOD
Jesus did not come into existence at Bethlehem that day. He had always existed with the Father and the eternal Son. In the Divine plan Jesus would take on humanity while retaining His divinity so He could bring about unity with God and man.
“Emmanuel” (God with us)
"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. Isaiah 7:14
“LORD”
The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, "Rule in the midst of Your enemies." Psa 110:1-2
“From everlasting”
"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah (Humanity), 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 (Deity)." Mic 5:2
“Son”
"But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain." "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ’You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ’Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! Psalm 2:6-8, 11-12
"I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. Daniel 7:13
“Elect Servant”
"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. "He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. "A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. "He will not be disheartened or crushed until He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law." Isaiah 42:1-4
“Mighty God”
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
“Everlasting Father”
Messiah would be more than a man; more than a carpenter. He was coming as God in the flesh.
All the New Testament attests to the blending of humanity and deity in the person of Jesus Christ. Any deviation from that most astounding truth would be rejected as heresy and the sign of the antichrist.
FULFILLMENT
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. John 1:1-5
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:18
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9
Jesus Himself claimed deity.
"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. John 8:56-59
"Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5
PERFECT SON
The character of messiah would be beyond imagination.
“Obedient”
Then I said, "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart." Psalm 40:7-8
FULLFILLMENT
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. John 4:34
"I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. John 17:4
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8
“Righteous”
His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth. Isaiah 53:9
"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. "In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is His name by which He will be called, ’The LORD our righteousness.’ Jeremiah 23:5-6
’In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. Jeremiah 33:15
"But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2
FULLFILLMENT
"I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me; John 14:30
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 1 Peter 2:21-23
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
“Light”
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2
FULLFILLMENT
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:5
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12
“Born of the Spirit and Filled with the Spirit”
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3
And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:17-21
Messiah would come to tangibly illustrate the character of God Himself.
Love, grace, compassion, wisdom, truth, light, character.
The anticipation was intense.
As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:10-12
The prophets longed for His coming. Even the angels long to understand greatness of the salvation plan. How about us? The promised Christ has come and is coming again. How should we respond? How should we react?
Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! Psalm 2:11-12
Bow down and worship.
I close today with Peter’s application of this great truth and salvation.
•Prepare for action by fixing your hope on the glory of Christ’s 2nd Advent.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
•Don’t be conformed to the old way of living by remember whose kid you are.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
•Be holy as He is holy by remembering His promises.
but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
•Conduct yourself in fear by remembering what it cost to get you here.
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
•Love one another fervently by realizing the significance of your renewed heart.
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." And this is the word which was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:13-25
