The Messiah in Biblical Prophecy and Christian Belief

The concept of the Messiah, or the Anointed One, has been a central theme in biblical prophecy and Christian belief. This article explores the role of the Messiah as described in the Old Testament and how its fulfillment is claimed in the New Testament.

Understanding the Messiah in Jewish Scripture

The word Messiah itself means anointed one or saved in Hebrew. In Jewish scripture, particularly the 24 books of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), the Messiah is prophesied to come as a deliverer and leader for the Israelites. However, the name Jesus is not mentioned in any of these texts.

According to the biblical books of Deuteronomy (Deut. 18:20-22), any prophet claiming to speak in the name of God is to be tested. If the prophecy fails to come true, the prophet is to be judged. This stringent test has been used by Christian apologists to argue that Jesus was the true Messiah, but it casts doubt on the reliability of this claim when applied to a text not written in his time.

Jesus and the Prophecies of the Messiah

When examining how New Testament writers interpret the Old Testament, one finds numerous instances where Jesus is seen as fulfilling prophetic promises. There are over 300 Old Testament verses that predict the coming of the Messiah, and those prophecies are said to be fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

For example, Revelation 3:20 speaks of Jesus saying, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.’ This verse is often interpreted as a promise of personal encounter with Jesus.

Another well-known prophetic verse is Matthew 24:27, which states, ‘For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.’ This imagery is often used to convey the speed and force with which the Son of Man will return.

Acts 1:11 provides another significant prophecy: ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’ This passage is often cited as a promise that Jesus will return in the near future.

The Delayed Return and Christian Expectation

The New Testament presents the perspective that Jesus was supposed to return before the original witnesses on earth had died. His early believers expected him to return within their lifetimes. However, this expectation was not fulfilled.

The delay in Jesus’ return is often described using analogies. Just as a cliffhanger in a movie serial keeps viewers coming back for more, the delay has kept Christian communities engaged and hopeful through subsequent generations. Similarly, in the case of the soap opera analogy, the ongoing uncertainty of who the father is has driven continuing interest.

Despite this, Jesus is known to have spoken of his return in several contexts. For instance, he mentions building mansions for his faithful followers and then coming to take them to his house (John 14:2-3). However, he also suggests that many from the east and the west will find their way to his heavenly Jerusalem (Matthew 8:11-12).

Additionally, Jesus is quoted in the Gospels as saying, ‘Whoever does my will is my brother, and sister, and mother’ (Mark 3:35).' This indicates his emphasis on following his teachings rather than blood relations.

The Call to Follow and Serve

Jesus’ commandments, such as loving one's neighbor and turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:44), are seen as crucial for those who wish to follow him. In Luke 18:22, a rich young ruler asks what he must do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus responds by directing him to follow the commandments. The ruler replies, ‘I have kept all these from my youth.’ Jesus then adds, ‘One thing you lack: go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.’ This passage emphasizes the importance of self-sacrifice and serving others.

The concept of following Jesus and his teachings, as opposed to blindly accepting prophecies and signs, has been a fundamental aspect of Christian belief. The expectation of his return, while central, is paired with a call to live lives of righteousness and compassion.