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The Jewish Messiah

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His name in Hebrew is Yeshua and He is the most famous and influential Jewish person that ever lived. He never authored a book although more books have been written about Him than any other person in history. He was the Son of Abraham and the Son of David and was from the tribe of Judah. He was circumcised on the eighth day and presented in the temple on the fortieth day when the days of purification according to the law of Moses were completed for His mother.

According to Numbers 18:14-16 the firstborn had to be redeemed. A sacrifice was given, a pair of turtledoves, or two pigeons and His parents could probably not afford a lamb. Yet He Himself was the Redeemer since atonement is by blood (Leviticus 17:11) and He gave Himself as an offering and He is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

He was born in Bethlehem Ephrathah where it was foretold that the Messiah was to be born and the Ruler would come from Judah (Micah 5:2). He dwelt in Galilee and was the great light in Galilee and was the Son who was given and of the increase of His government and shalom there would be no end (Isaiah 9:1-7). He fulfilled numerous other prophecies in His miraculous ministry, death, resurrection and ascension.

He did not have a Bar Mitzvah since He was born in ancient times though at the age of just twelve, he entered the temple at the feast of Passover and sat in the midst of the teachers both listening to them and answering their questions. All those who heard Him where astonished at His understanding and answers.

He was a rabbi with talmidim (disciples) and He taught with real authority and as no one ever taught. He was recognised by His talmidim as the prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-22). It was said of Maimonides that from Moses to Moses there was none like Moses. However When Yeshua fed the five thousand, He was recognised as the Prophet, like Moses (John 6:14). The first believers were mainly Jewish and Nicodemus the Teacher of Israel and Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member cared for His body when He was buried.

He wore a tzitzit. The woman with an issue of blood was healed when she touched the hem of His garment and immediately her flow of blood stopped. Messiah was supposed to be able to heal and to enable the blind to see, the deaf to hear and the lame to walk (Isaiah 35:5-6). He did exactly that and quoted the same scripture from the Tanakh when John the Baptist questioned whether He was the Messiah (Matthew 11:4-5).

Often, he responded to a question with a question and used the style of argument presented by Rabbi Hillel. He used the “qal wahomer” argument, meaning “light and heavy” in that if something occurs in a small case then it applies to a much greater extent in a larger case. In the same way that if a man’s son asked him for bread, he would not give him a stone and if he asked for a fish, he would not give him a scorpion so how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:9-11)?

He knew the Tanakh and said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). He kept the feasts. He was crucified at Pesach and rose at the Feast of Firstfruits and lived a unique sinless life. Leaven represents sin and the Feast of Unleavened Bread was a picture foreshadowing His life and sacrifice.

At Tabernacles He said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”(John 7:38; cf. Isaiah 12:3). He also said, “I am the light of the world, He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). During Hanukkah He claimed, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30).

The Mount of Olives was where He ascended and it is where He will return (Zechariah 14:4; cf. Acts 1:9-12). The Messiah that many are waiting for has come and will return. But isn’t Messiah supposed to bring peace? Yeshua is the Prince of Peace, the Sar Shalom and the peace He gives is not the peace that this world offers (John 14:27). When He returns, He will judge the world in righteousness and set up His Messianic Kingdom in Jerusalem. Only a few questions remain. Are you trusting in Him? Have you turned to Him and asked Him to forgive your sins? Are you following Him? Are you one of His talmidim? And will you be ready when He returns?