The word “Messiah” comes from the Hebrew/Aramaic word mashiach, meaning “anointed one” or “chosen one.” Only Jesus, the Son of God, fits the biblical narrative and prophecies for the promised Messiah. The Old Testament prophesied the Messiah, and the New Testament reveals the Messiah to be Jesus of Nazareth. The Messiah was anointed by God as the Chosen One to deliver his people spiritually by redeeming them from sin and by providing the way to eternal salvation by his death and resurrection. John 20: 31 says, “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Evidence from the eyewitness testimonies of his resurrection gives proof to the fact that “he is the one who God appointed as judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42).” Jesus fulfills the role of prophet, priest, and king which provides further evidence that he is the Messiah.

Read

Acts 10:39-43, “And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Discuss

How did Jesus fulfill the role of prophet?

He embodied and preached the Word of God. John 14:24, “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.”

How did Jesus fulfill the role of priest?

His death atones for our sins and reconciles us to the Father. Hebrews 2:17, “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

How did Jesus fulfill the role of king?

After his resurrection God gave all authority to him. Revelation 19:16, “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Pray

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your only Son, the promised Messiah, who paid the ransom and redeem me from sin by his death and resurrection. Thank you for the simple truth that salvation is found in no other person and no other name than Jesus. He alone provides the way for forgiveness of sin, to be clothed in your righteousness, and for eternal life in your heavenly kingdom. I praise him as my King of kings and Lord of lords.

In Jesus’ Holy Name,

Amen.