Jesus Christ: The Prophesied Messiah or Mere Coincidence?

Read: Matthew 22:23-46

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?“

Matthew 22:41-42

Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One of God

Jesus asked the Pharisees a question similar to the one He had asked His disciples (Matthew 16:13-15). He confronted His opponents, calling them to decide who He was in connection to the Old Testament understanding of the Messiah.

Messiah comes from the Hebrew word which means ˜anointed one” or “chosen one”. Its Greek equivalent is Christos, which is Christ in English. In essence, Jesus Christ means Jesus the Anointed One.

 The Old Testament predicted a coming Deliverer, chosen by God to redeem Israel (Isaiah 42:1; 61:1-3). The Jews called this Deliverer the Messiah. The fact that Jesus fulfilled the role of Prophet, Priest, and King is evidence that He indeed is the promised Messiah. Jesus is a prophet because He embodied and preached the word of God (John 1:1-18). He is a priest because His death atones for our sins and reconciles us with the Father (Hebrews 2:17; 4:14). Jesus is King because after His resurrection God gave all authority to Him (John 18:36; Ephesians 1:20-23, Revelation 19:16). The ultimate evidence, however, is the eyewitness account to His resurrection (Acts 10:39-43) confirming the fact He is ˜the One God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.”

Jesus fulfilled prophecies

Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies from the Old Testament to prove that He is indeed the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, the Chosen One. Mathematics & Astronomy Professor Peter W. Stoner has made the statement that the chances of just 8 prophecies coming true by sheer chance is 1 in 10¹⁷, (100,000,000,000,000,000). The proof is abundant.

Do you believe that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah? How is this truth reflected in your life? Is there a friend or family member that needs to hear this truth from you today? Are you someone who is yet to believe in Jesus the Messiah? Would you take a moment right now to ask God to reveal Himself to you? God promises in His Word that we will find Him when we seek Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13).

Prayer

Lord, give me increasing faith that my life may reflect You more and more each day, Amen

Scripture Writing: 1 Peter 1:13

Song: Jesus Messiah

Is Jesus for Real and over 300 Old Testament references