JESUS: THE MESSIAH
DECEMBER 22, 1999
MATTHEW 16:13-16

       The word Messiah comes from a Hebrew term that means "anointed one." Its Greek counterpart is Christos, from which the word Christ comes. Messiah was one of the titles used by early Christians to describe who Jesus was. As the Messiah, Jesus is the divinely appointed king who brought God’s kingdom to earth (Matt. 12:28; Luke 11:20) His way to victory was not by physical force and violence, but through love, humility and service.

       The reason for this is that Jesus’ kingdom was not political but spiritual (Jn 18:36). If Jesus had used the title "Messiah," people would have thought he was a political king. But Jesus understood that the Messiah, God’s Anointed One, was to be the Suffering Servant (Isa 52:13-53:12). The fact that Jesus was a suffering Messiah- a crucified deliverer- was a stumbling block to many of the Jews ( I Cor 1:23). They saw the cross as a sign of Jesus’ weakness, powerlessness, and failure. They rejected the concept of a crucified Messiah.

        But the message of the early church centered around the fact that the crucified and risen Jesus is the Christ (Acts 5:42; 17:3; 18:5). They proclaimed the "scandalous" gospel of a crucified Messiah as the power and wisdom of God (I Cor 1:23-24). John wrote, "Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah]?" (I Jn 2:22)

        There is no doubt that people of the world say many things about Jesus and call Him many things like "good teacher" and "great man."  Very few call Him Lord and Savior. Every day you wake up Jesus asks, "What do you call me?" Only you can answer that question. 
 

Matthew 16:13-16 “13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

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