The Misunderstood Messiah Series

HoHum:

Sir, have you ever been here before?

For 38 years Teddy Kollek served as the mayor of Jerusalem. Enormously popular in his day, he often met with Christian leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest, especially those pertaining to Israel’s security and the chances of peace in the Middle East. In those conversations questions would arise regarding Jesus and the Jews. Was Jesus or was Jesus not the Messiah of Israel? Many Jews believe that when the Messiah comes, everyone will recognize him. On one occasion when Teddy Kollek was asked if Jesus was indeed the Messiah, he crafted a unique reply. He said that when the Messiah comes, Christians and Jews should form a committee, compose a list of questions, and then seek an audience with the Messiah. At the top of their list should be this question: “Sir, have you ever been here before?”

WBTU:

That’s good, and one that we would expect a politician to use. It also points out the truth that after all is said and done, this is the whole difference between Jews and Christians. “Sir, have you ever been here before?” Christians answer one way. Most Jews answer another. There really is no middle ground. Either Jesus was the promised Messiah, or he wasn’t. If he was, how is it that the Jewish people, on the whole, didn’t recognize him when he came 2,000 years ago? The Presidential Prayer Team for each day has been highlighting a brand new member of the 2023 Congress. Had one member who had a stunning picture, turns out she is a model. Under religion it said that she is a Messianic Jew. Wow, this is rare and to be in Congress.

Isaiah 53:1-3 tells us that the people misunderstood Jesus when he came.

Thesis: Jesus is Misunderstood Messiah- how did that happen?

For instances:

I. They did not believe his message- Isaiah 53:1

Good question- who has believed our message? The answer is, very few. Jesus came as the Messiah but Israel wanted nothing to do with him. We know that for a time Jesus had a powerful and growing ministry, especially in Galilee. Thousands flocked to hear him speak and watch him heal the sick. As his reputation grew, the common people heard him gladly- he was so different from everyone else. We also know that many people followed him for shallow reasons. They thought he would proclaim himself king and lead a revolt against Rome. Or they liked his miracles. Or they admired his courage. Or they were drawn to the simple beauty of his teachings. In John 6, Jesus feeds over 5,000 with 5 small barley loaves and 2 small fish (John 6:9). Jesus and his disciples left that night and went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The crowd finds Jesus on the other side of the lake and Jesus says,“I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” John 6:26, NIV. They just want to follow Jesus and not worry about food. Jesus begins to teach this crowd things that are hard to accept. “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:66-68, NIV. By the time Jesus came to Jerusalem after 3 years of preaching and teaching, the nation was divided over him. The common people liked him, but they did not worship him. To them he was a fascinating teacher and a great miracle worker, but they really did not know what to think of him. The leaders of the time were a different story. With few exceptions, they wanted nothing to do with him. They accused him of being in league with the devil (Luke 11:15). Jesus often preached against their hypocrisy and corruption and so they hated him so much that they plotted to kill him. In the end they succeeded. John says it this way: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” John 1:11, NIV. We could easily translate “that which was his own” as “his own home.” He came to his own people- the nation of Israel, and they did not receive him. We could say that “home is where, when you go there, they have to take you in.” In the case of Jesus he came “home” to his own people, but they would not take him in. He came to the people who should have known him best, and they wanted nothing to do with him. They should have known better. They had ample warnings. Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi, all said, “He’s coming.” This is a major theme of the OT- that God would one day send the Messiah to deliver his people. When Jesus finally arrived, they didn’t believe it. Some of them decided to put him to death. Think of the long history of Israel. Repeatedly they rebelled against God’s law. Often they killed the prophets who delivered God’s message. Is it any wonder they crucified the Son of God? Their rejection continues in large part to this very day. “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” Romans 10:1, NIV. The next verse explains why the nation misunderstood who Jesus really was.