Get to know the Messiah

There are 300 Biblical references about the Messiah. Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, angels, shepherds, Simeon and Anna are well known and beloved members of the narrative. (Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2) Consider how the Magi add a Far Eastern exotic flavor to the mix. Their salvation narrative is recorded in Daniel 2. The Magi mentioned in Matthew 2 pique our interest as outsiders who arrive years after the birth of the Messiah. Sometimes we forget it takes time for people to see the signs or to hear the good news before they actually arrive, trust and believe.

Herod the Great, Caesar Augustus, the Romans or the political and religious leaders of Jerusalem were people of power. Consider how present-day people who are in positions of political or religious power might respond to the good news about the Messiah. How would they respond to news that challenges the worldly systems from which their power is sustained?

Contemplate the prophetic Messianic messages. There are hundreds of references. There were many participants who provided a mountain of detail about the Messiah. Consider how Isaiah and Daniel presented their other worldly experiences with regards to the Messiah. (Isaiah 6, Daniel 7-12) Messiah would be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7) Messiah would be born according to a timetable. (Daniel 9) Messiah would bear our sins and suffer. (Isaiah 52-53) Messiah would be Son of Man. (Daniel 7) Messiah would be a light to the nations (Isaiah 9, 42) and fulfill specific leadership roles. (Isaiah 9) Messiah would be called a Nazarene. (Isaiah 11, 53) Messiah would perform healing (Isaiah 35) and be preceded by a forerunner. (Isaiah 40) And…there is so much more.

If poetry or lyrics to songs is the way biblical revelation connects to your heart read any of these: Psalm 2, 8, 16, 22, 40, 41, 45, 68, 69, 72, 89, 91, 102, 109, 110, or 119. Psalm 2 presents Earthly rulers joined against Him, but God gave Jesus total victory as His Son and King. Psalm 8 Jesus humbly came to earth, but God then crowned Him with glory over all things. Psalm 22 Jesus in the first person described by His great suffering on the cross to atone for our sins. Psalm 45 is a love song – of a glorious Prince and His bride – all about Jesus’ love. Jesus is both king and priest in Psalm 110. For the first time in Israel, He was made both.

Messianic scripture references contain power which comes with permission from the Holy Spirit expressing divine revelation. Get to know the Messiah—really know Him. The more we know about Him, the more we know and about ourselves and why our relationship with Him makes all the difference. Go tell. Go tell everyone. Go tell everyone the good news. He is coming soon.

Then he said to me, “These words are true and trustworthy: Adonai, God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must happen soon. Look! I am coming very soon. Blessed is the person who obeys the words of the prophecy written in this book!” Revelation 22:6-7 CJB