Advent Words Day 25 ~ Messiah

Day 25: Messiah

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31

Near the end of his gospel, the Apostle John states very clearly his purpose for writing his gospel: that those who read it “may believe that Jesus is the Messiah”. John, throughout his gospel, has laid out the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and wants to make sure his readers are very clear on what they believe. He wants to make sure that they understand the truth about who Jesus is and that they understand fully what results from believing in Him. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God, and believing in Him – in His name, the Messiah – brings believers life, abundant and eternal life.

Let’s make sure we understand as well. What exactly does it mean that Jesus is the Messiah? The Greek word used in this verse is actually ‘Christos’, which is Christ. The word Christ in Greek means “the anointed one”. The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew word for anointed one ‘mashiach’. So, Messiah and Christ are both synonymous for the anointed One. In our culture we often think of Christ as the second part of Jesus’s name – Jesus Christ. But it is actually a title, Jesus the Christ – Jesus the Anointed One, the Christ, the Messiah.

 

Why is Jesus called the Messiah? Throughout the Old Testament, and more specifically by the Prophets, God promised to send a king, one who would be anointed by God to deliver his people. Over time the Hebrew people began to anticipate that this Messiah would be a king who would bring military and political domination that would free them from bondage and rule by foreign nations.

 

Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah describes his purpose and ministry:

 

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn.” Isaiah 61:1-2

In Luke chapter 4:14-21, we see Jesus stand in the temple and read this same passage from Isaiah 61, announcing that he is the One of whom these words are spoken.

“Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21

God anointed Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. Jesus, as the Messiah, fulfilled Israel’s anticipation of an anointed One who would deliver them. Jesus would spend his ministry giving the disciples the true understanding of the Messiah’s rule, to deliver us from our sins.

John also points out that Jesus, the Messiah, is the Son of God, the personal presence of God in our midst, and that our belief in Him brings life. The Messiah’s purpose was to bring life to God’s people. Life is one of the main themes in the gospel of John. John points out throughout his gospel that in Jesus Christ we have life:

Abundant life in Christ in this present age. Life that is full of meaning and purpose. Life that contains joy and peace and love. Life that is unburdened by the weight of guilt and shame over sin.

“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Spiritual life through Christ. Life filled with the Holy Spirit.

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” John 3:5

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Eternal life with Christ.

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3

“Everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:15-16

 “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25-26

We, who believe in the name, have life in, though, and with Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

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