Video Transition: Life of Jesus from Son of God movie clip
Series: Life of Jesus
Thesis: We have been exploring the names of Jesus over this Easter season and today we are going to look at Jesus as “Messiah.” The name Messiah = Christ = King = Anointed One! A name of Jesus packed with meaning and mission, purpose and the Love of God! All verified on Resurrection Sunday.
Scripture: John 20:1-30
True story about death: A young 5 year old little boy was at his grandfathers grave site. As He stood by the graveside at the cemetery, his mother said that He looked down into the grave hole for a long time and then turned to her and asked the question: "How's Grandpa ever going to get out of there?” She noted how he knew he was not staying in the grave because of what he learned in church.
? Aristotle called death the thing he feared most because “it appears to be the end of everything.”
• Jean-Paul Sartre (an existentialist philosopher) said death “removes all meaning from life.”
For men like them, death was the end of everything. It was like walking into a dungeon and throwing away the key.
It was like being trapped in a room from which they’d never escape. When they entered the grave… they weren't EVER going to get out of there – as Christians we know that the grave is not the end but a new beginning.
This young boy knew grandpa was not staying in the hole! Because Jesus the Messiah would help Grandpa out of the grave – He knew grandpa had a relationship with Jesus and embraced him as his “Messiah/Christ /Savior.” But not sure how he would climb out. But mom told him, Jesus was the one who would help him out of the hole and into Heaven. And friends This is why we celebrate Resurrection Sunday today and celebrate.
Today we celebrate the name Jesus!
Introduction:
I have been sharing how Jesus is known by many different names – There are 198 of them in the Bible. Names have significance. They have power. They define something – they symbolize something or someone – they describe someone - they state a meaning and even a mission. They state purpose and relationships. The truth is names are more than a bunch of letters grouped together to sound pleasant to the ear. Names are more than a convenience allowing people to talk to each other and associate a person with that name. Names are a given in the Bible by God to reveal spiritual truth, mission, purpose, and paint and image of a person’s character. God has been even known to change a persons name in the Bible to redefine who they are in Him.
Over the last few weeks, I have meditated and questioned, “Why are there so many names to describe Jesus?” “But then I thought about it and prayed about it, “How do you describe Jesus with just Jesus?” Because Scripture tells me Jesus is Love personified (Capital L by the way) – He is God’s manifest presence of Love in the flesh – He is God in the flesh! How do you describe someone who was and is so Amazing? Yes, Jesus is “Amazing!” Let me word it another way, “He blows my natural mind!”
He was and is so amazing that the names for Him just keep coming! From people who experience Him, feel His presence, get healed by Him, get set free from Him, receive Hope from Him. As I read in the Bible and talk to people who have experienced Him the names keep accumulating piling up to Heaven. As I was pondering the many names of Jesus again, I came across this thought in Rob Bells book Everything Is Spiritual:
“I saw how the name of God keeps changing—one person uses this word, this group uses that word, later on they name it something else. Elohim, Yahweh, Adonai, Theos—the list goes on. I saw how each of these names comes out of the particular struggles and hopes of that time and place, reflecting economics and politics and shifting consciousness.”
The truth is you cannot understand and fully appreciate today – Resurrection Sunday - without journeying through the hardships and struggles of life. Brett Hollis said a few weeks back, “You cannot understand the Resurrection without experiencing and understanding the pain of death.” Death comes to this life but Resurrection trumps it when you have Jesus! The Messiah!
Truth to hear today: God is right there in the middle of it all! His Spirit is all around us not adrift in the space continuum of time in another place or world! His Spirit is connected to everything in this world, in our life and we need to somehow name it, see it, define it, tell of it, and reveal it to others. So, the names keep coming describing Jesus/God’s endlessly work in this world.
So, names they call attention to a person – to an action! In the case of Jesus His names point to - the miracle – to the changed life – changed nation – changed tribe – changed person – to the word of peace in the middle of Chaos to a word of encouragement which is right on time or even to an act of deliverance.
Last week I shared my Story of how I got the name Chui: Let me refresh your memory - When I started fighting in Judo in local, state and national tournaments I got a nickname assigned to me from my dojo – the name was “Chui.” Many of you may not know the meaning of the word “Chui” but it actually was used to call fouls – penalty point – if you did something illegally in competition the ref would cry, “Chui” and you would be docked points – I had a tendency in my early years of Judo fighting to do what was necessary to win against my opponent – I had grown up that you do whatever you need to do to win the fight - so I was flagged and called for many “Chui’s” in my early years because I had so many penalty points fighting other opponents. Now the name Chui is not a name you want to have in tournaments when you are fighting in the martial arts of Judo. Because the refs are always thinking as my friends and teammates cheered me on “What did he do illegally?” “Did I miss it?”
I do prefer the name my mom and dad gave me: Michael – which means “Godly One” a much better name to be known by! Because in truth my name Michael does describe my calling, my purpose and my mission as a pastor and servant of Jesus.
Question: Do you know what your name means? Does your name reveal your character? Have people assigned you names that are not so flattering? Do you want to change your name?
The names of Jesus tell us who He was, Who He is and Who He will be in the future. So, we need to pay attention to the names of Jesus.
T.S. - Let’s look at Jesus’ name “Messiah.” A name filled with deep meaning and mission!
I. What does the name “Messiah” actually mean? Why was Jesus “Christ” given this name?
a. By the way the last name of Jesus is not “Christ” – many in the western world assume that but they would be mistaken. Christ defines Jesus’ mission, purpose, and character!
i. Scripture tells us his surname was, “son of Joseph.” So Jesus name would have been Jesus Son of Joseph or as in later times Jesus of Nazareth!
b. Christianity centers on the belief that Jesus of Nazareth/ Jesus Son of Joseph is the “Christ” or its equal name from the Hebrew “Messiah,” these two names are synonyms that highlight his status as a divinely appointed and anointed “Savior-King.”
i. In Abrahamic religions and within the Hebrew Bible, a Messiah was a Savior (A life saver) or liberator of a group of people.
1. I talked about this Friday night in the Good Friday service!
ii. The word “Christ” is a transliteration of the Greek word “christos,” and it means “anointed one.” It comes from a root word that means to smear or rub with oil, and carries with it the connotation of a sacred or religious act. Its counterpart in Hebrew is “mashiach,” or the more familiar anglicized “messiah.” We see the two terms from different languages used interchangeably by the Apostle John when he shares Andrews’ about Jesus:
1. John 1:41 (NASB) He [Andrew] found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).
iii. The term, whether in Greek or Hebrew, was used of those who were set apart for various roles in God’s service, (Anointed roles) we see it primarily with priests, kings and prophets of the Old Testament. By the way all these offices Jesus himself filled.
1. In Scripture, the act of anointing someone with oil occasionally coincided with an “anointing” of the Holy Spirit which empowered the recipient to do the work of the Lord. Always revealed that God’s hand and Spirit was on this person to do miraculous things for the Kingdom of God.
a. John the Baptist witnessed this when He baptized Jesus.
i. See Matthew 3:13-17
c. So, lets define the name of Jesus as clearly so you and I understand it better on this resurrection Sunday: Messiah = Savior = King = Anointed One! (Did you get that?)
i. Remember these are all names describing the mission, the nature, the Love of God and the purpose Jesus was sent by God to this earth.
1. John 3:16 explains this mission again, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
a. His one and Only Son – Messiah = Christ = King = Anointed One!
ii. No Old Testament prophet had more to say about the promised Messiah of Israel than Isaiah. He described the coming Servant-Ruler as One who would bring a mysterious blend of power and suffering (ISA. 53; 61:1-3). (Says an article from Daily Bread).
1. The character of this coming Servant (Jesus) is most clearly stated in Isaiah 9:6, where the prophet declared: “Unto us a Child is born, unto us, a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
a. More names by the way of Jesus! Describing what He does! Who He is!
b. The Character of Messiah is once again described with names. “…and His name will be called …”
i. Remember Hebrew names are often significant for defining character. Isaiah used four compound names to provide a full understanding of this coming Savior. Each name forms a different window through which to view the Son of God who became the Son of man. These four names shape our understanding of who God’s Messiah is—helping us develop a personal relationship with Him and showing us where to find Him in our moments of need.
1. Wonderful Counselor
2. Mighty God
3. Everlasting Father
4. Prince of Peace
a. The above from: The predicted names of the Messiah from https://ourdailybread.org/amazing-names-of-the-messiah
iii. One of the more famous passages regarding the future Messiah from the OT (which predated Jesus) speaks of the fierce opposition the Messiah will face as God’s chosen King. But in the end The Messiah will be the winner in the battle!
1. Notice how the psalmist uses “anointed” and “king” synonymously in our Bible verses:
a. Psalm 2:2, 4-6, 9 and 12 (NASB) The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His anointed [messiah]…4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury, saying, 6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.“…9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.'”…12 Do homage to the Son, that He may not become angry, and have you perish in this way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
iv. Today we live in the New Testament era (Post Old Testament period). Today the word “christos” or “Christ” appears more than 516 times in the New Testament pointing to the mission, purpose and Love of God revealed through Jesus to a world that needed saving from sin.
1. In the Gospels you see then name ‘Messiah” referring to the coming Messiah which the Jewish nation was expecting soon to deliver them.
a. For example, when the Pharisees heard that John the Baptist was baptizing in the wilderness, they sent messengers to ask him who he was the Messiah. He responded by saying, “I am not the Christ!”
2. Over 500 times in the New Testament “Christ” is used in association with Jesus, thus identifying him as the long awaited Messiah.
a. John 4:25-26 (NASB) The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
i. The above is taken and adapted from www.onegodworship.com.
II. Questions you may be thinking – Why do I need to understand Jesus’ name “Messiah? And what does all this have to do with Resurrection Sunday and the celebration of Jesus rising from the dead? I thought the name “Messiah’ was associated with Christmas? By the way those are great questions!
a. Story 1: Insight on Handle’s – masterpiece – called “Messiah”
i. Handel’s greatest work, “Messiah” is called a great zenith of Western civilization. The story behind the writing of “Messiah“ The musical production, is a fascinating story to hear and learn from – it’s really about “Resurrection – Jesus bringing something back from the dead”.
1. In his book, Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers, Patrick Kavanaugh tells how Handel barely ate during the 24 days he wrote “Messiah.” At one point, the composer had tears in his eyes and cried out to his servant who was helping him, “I do think I saw all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself.” He had this vision when he had just finished writing the Hallelujah Chorus.”
a. Have you ever had a fresh revelation of Jesus like this? Do you want too?
i. Have you gone after it to see it?
b. Patrick reveals in his book: “Amazingly, “Messiah” the musical program came at a time in his life when the 56-year old Handel was facing bankruptcy and complete failure. He was facing criticism, threats even from the Church of England’s authorities. They apparently were very critical of him and his work. He seemed as if – He was all washed up—with his best days behind him. But writing Messiah proved to be the positive turning point in his life.”
i. Can you relate to this point of Handel’s life – Have you ever had people ripping on you for your passions or work. Saying “You are no good” – “Quit” – “You’re a failure!” – “Your washed up!” – “Just crawl off and die old man!” But in this put of despair he gets a vision of “The Messiah – The Christ!”
c. Patrick adds: “Handel was born in Germany. His father wanted him to study law, but George Friedrich had an aptitude for music, which was clear early on. His mother bought him a harpsichord, which they kept up in the attic, secret from his father. In 1712, Handel moved to England and never returned to Germany. While he experienced successes through various compositions, including operas and sacred operas (oratorios based on biblical themes), Kavanaugh notes that Handel’s failures threatened to overwhelm him: “His occasional commercial successes soon met with financial disaster…He drove himself relentlessly to recover from one failure after another, and finally his health began to fail. By 1741 he was swimming in debt. It seemed certain he would land in debtor’s prison.”
i. Have you ever been in a hopeless position like this when your dreams are fading and it looks like all is lost?
ii. You think “Wy did I not become a Lawyer like my dad wanted?” “I should have listened!”
d. Patrick continues on with Handel’s story: “But 1741 proved to be the turning point. On the one hand, he gave what he feared was his farewell concert. (He thought this is it!) But God had another plan, a friend of his, Charles Jennens, Jr., gave him a libretto (a text) for a sacred work. It was essentially an assembly of Bible verses, focused on (The name of Jesus) “The Messiah,” the verses were from the Old and New Testaments. Furthermore, a charity in Dublin paid him money to write something for a charity performance. Guess what he wrote “Messiah” was the result, and it was very successful. His work brought in much money and recognition and respect.”
i. Important point to make Patrick notes: “Jennens’ role in this masterpiece is often lost, even on fans of Messiah. He is the one who carefully gleaned through the King James Bible and assembled the verses about the Christ that Handel so brilliantly set to music.”
1. In essence, Jennes’ helped Handel’s in the midst of his failures and despair get a fresh Revelation of Jesus – “Messiah = Savior” – Who was his provider and supplier!
ii. Are you getting a better understanding of Jesus as “Messiah – Savior?” Can you see the name “Messiah” for Jesus is not just a Christmas story but it encompasses the birth, the life, the ministry, the death and the resurrection of Jesus.
1. Calvin R. Stapert is professor emeritus of music at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan he had has this to say about the Musical piece written by Handel:
a. Many people inextricably link Handel’s Messiah to Advent and Christmas. At least that’s the case with the oratorio as a whole. People often associate parts of Messiah, especially the “Hallelujah” chorus and “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” with Easter. But with whatever else they may associate the “Hallelujah” chorus… But of course, most lovers of Messiah are aware that it sings of much more than the Incarnation. The prophecies and angelic announcement of Christ’s birth take up only about one-third of the oratorio. (it also addresses Messiahs Resurrection too) Some have heard that Handel always performed Messiah during the Lent or Easter seasons. They ask more pointedly: “Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to perform Messiah during Lent or Easter?” Not necessarily. The content of Messiah is no more specific to Lent or Easter than it is to Christmas. (It should be sung and played all the time to point us back to the Messiah at all times of the year)
i. From https://eerdword.com/messiah-an-oratorio-for-all-seasons-by-calvin-r-stapert/
b. The apostle John in the Gospel of John made the association of Jesus “Christ” as the “Anointed one” and “the Messiah” so people could see Jesus for who He was, is and will be!
i. The following adapted and taken from https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/jesus-as-messiah/
1. Jesus and the title Anointed/King/Christ/Messiah: Was not usually applied to him prior to his death and resurrection. It was these events of Easter season which thrust and reveled and confirmed that Jesus is “The Messiah.”
a. Resurrection Sunday point to all the Old Testament prophetic words of the coming Messiah and says “Here He is! “
i. The reference to “Messiah” comes only seven times in Mark’s account of the life of Jesus, but 65 times in Paul’s letter to the church at Rome.
1. He open up Romans 1:1-6: 1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
2. If you study the Old Testament it develops the expectation that God will send a future king, linked to the Davidic dynasty, to fulfil his redemptive purposes for the whole earth. This si what Paul refers to here in Romans 1.
3. In line with this expectation, Matthew’s Gospel associates the concept of Anointed/Christ/Messiah with the idea that Jesus is the “son of David.” This is evident in the opening words of Matthew’s account: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt 1:1). Matthew then confirms this initial statement by including a genealogy that links Jesus back to David.7 Throughout the rest of his gospel Matthew recounts how Jesus, as the “son of David,” has come to establish the kingdom of heaven.
2. The title Christ/Messiah was rarely applied to Jesus during his earthly life. Yet, in spite of this, all four gospels confidently affirmed that Jesus is the Messiah.
a. When the apostle John summarizes his reason for penning His Gospel account of Jesus’ life, he says: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).
b. A similar phrase is found in the Synoptic Gospels too. Matthew, Mark and Luke all highlight Simon Peter’s declaration: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt 16:16; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20).
i. Peter answered Jesus’ question to His followers: “Who do you say I am?”
1. Peter answers: “You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Living God!”
2. Not only does Peter’s affirmation that Jesus is the Anointed/Christ/King/Messiah mark an important turning point in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, but the opening words of both Gospels introduce Jesus as the Christ (Matt 1:1; Mark 1:1).
a. So, my question to you this Easter morning is “Who do you say Jesus was, is and will be?”
b. You have to answer that question for yourself!
c. Jesus is asking you today: “Who do you say that I am?”
c. Questions: The truth this life is filled with questions some philosophical, some about current events, some about health and wholeness and some about eternity and spiritual things:
i. Which comes first the chicken or the egg?
ii. How many angels can you fit on a pin head?
iii. If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it fall…does it still make a sound?
iv. What is in Biden’s son’s laptop?
v. Why is Putin attacking Ukraine and losing face and support from around the world? Will He keep fighting? Will he win or lose?
vi. How did Zeylinski become the most respected leader in the world while in the midst of war and destruction? Will they win this war?
vii. Why does God allow such tragedy to happen on the earth – innocent people are dying?
viii. Will I ever be free from these drugs?
ix. Will my marriage survive?
x. Will my child return to Jesus?
xi. Will the tumor be cancer? Did it have spread?
xii. Will I live or die?
xiii. Am I saved and going to heaven?
xiv. Does Jesus love me?
1. Questions rise up every day – they come through life’s events – both good and tragic!
a. We hear this through the curiosity of wanting answers through even toddlers:
i. You know the why’s of kids?
1. Why do I have to do that?
2. Why cannot eat a pound of chocolate – its so good!
3. Why do I have to vegetables? They take ucky?
4. Why do I have to go to bed?
Conclusion:
LIFE AT ITS BEST An extensive survey was conducted in the United States by a leading polling agency. Questionnaires were distributed to people of various ages and occupations. The key question was this: What are you looking for most in life? When the results were compiled, the analysts were surprised. Most of them had expected answers that would suggest materialistic goals, but the top three things that people wanted in life were love, joy, and peace—the first three fruits of the Spirit! From sermoncentral.com
All of these are provided in a relationship with the Messiah = Christ= King = Anointed One. All we have to do is invite him into our busy lives.
What do we need to know from this message today?
Answer: We need to understand that Jesus’s name “Messiah = Christ = King = Anointed One” conveying the meaning that He is the “Christ the Savior” – “The Anointed One sent by God himself for you and me” – we need to see that he is “The King of Kings” who came to set us free for the ravages of this sin filled world. We need to understand He is the one who takes us back out of the grips of “The Evil One” known as Satan or the Devil. That He came – He died – He gave is life to save ours and then rose on Easter Sunday to show us He was who He said He was. We also need to know that Jesus wants to reveal Himself to us today! He wants to step into our lives – in our pain and struggles and reveal His majesty to us to encourage us and set us free - He wants to give us hope! He wants to rescue us! He wants to deliver us!
These are things the Bible promised the Messiah would do!
Another Question we also need to answer today and know is: Do you know what your name means? Does your name reveal your character? Are you a “Christian?” Do you want to be a “Christian?” Are you known by that name? Have you believed and chosen to follow the “Messiah?” Christ? Do you want a fresh revelation of Jesus?
Application: Jesus names can be embraced by you or not, you can reject them, but they are important! So, what name of Jesus speaks to you? By the way God hears your prayers and words when you call His name. By the way God can touch your life today this morning if you call out one of His names! By the way Jesus “Messiah/Christ/King/Anointed One” has been known to change people’s destinies and names – do you want a new name! He can change yours – just look at how he changed Peters and Paul’s name!
Question: What are you going to do with Jesus today? He is here – He wants to restore – He wants to heal – He wants to bring you hope – He wants to reach out His hand and pull you our out of the Cesspool of sin.
Hands on exercise to connect or reconnect with Jesus Messiah – Christ – King – Anointed One. He wants to connect with you on this Resurrection Sunday. So we came up with a way to do this this morning. Pastor Brennan will come and explain.
Act of Worship to the Messiah: The Cross Mosaic!
Brennan comes up and describes the Cross Mosaic – Why we choose on Easter Sunday to offer up to Jesus – Thank You’s - For the many things He has done for each of us. He is our Immanuel/Lamb of God/ Savior/ Messiah/Christ – Can I challenge you to take a few moments and thank him and tell others about how Amazing He is! You could even write name down which reflects what Jesus has done for you and your family!
