Who Is The Messiah?
In the Hebrew Bible, God promised to send a future deliverer for the Jewish people. This chosen or anointed one is called the “Messiah”. God made these promises through prophets who predicted the Messiah’s lineage, birthplace, lifestyle, and even the timeframe of his life, death, and resurrection.
Jesus Himself said He was the Jewish Messiah. The New Testament records several times when Jesus made that claim, but one of the most remarkable is when a woman said to him “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!” (John 4:25-26).
While many leaders throughout history have claimed to be the Messiah, Jesus is the only person who ever matched the Messianic expectations of the Hebrew Scriptures.
What is a Messiah?
At the time that Jesus lived, the common people were expecting the Messiah to be a grand military conqueror with the power of God on His side, so that he might overthrow Israel’s enemies and establish political peace. But the kind of peace won by the sword is always temporary. The type of peace Jesus came to bring was a lasting peace between God and His people.
In stark contrast to all the rulers of the world who maintain “peace” through military might, the true chosen one refused to raise an army against his enemies. Instead, he gave his life in order to reunite us with our Creator. Jesus told his followers that he “did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
Jesus brings hope, joy, and purpose into people’s lives because He provides peace and restoration with God. His Jewish followers first recognized him as their Messiah over 2,000 years ago, and people from all corners of the world still follow Jesus as their Chosen One today!
Step 1 – God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
The Bible says:
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
"I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Our Separation from God
The Bible says:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Bridge: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
1 Peter 3:18
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9
Here is how you can accept Christ into your life:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner)
- Be willing to turn from your sins. (Repent)
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. (Be saved by faith)
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive him as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do Your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."
Did you pray this prayer?