Christ for the Jews: Chapter 2 - The Prophecies of the Messiah
The expectation of a Messiah is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, forming a central part of the Jewish hope for redemption, justice, and the ultimate restoration of Israel. For centuries, Jews have looked to the promises made by the prophets, eagerly awaiting the one who would fulfill the covenants and usher in a reign of peace and righteousness. Within this sacred narrative lies the belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the long-awaited Messiah foretold in the תַּנַ"ךְ Tanakh (Old Testament).
This chapter will
explore key Messianic prophecies found in the Hebrew Scriptures and how Jesus
fulfills these ancient promises. While interpretations of these prophecies
differ between Judaism and Christianity, this chapter invites you to revisit
the Scriptures and consider how Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection align with
the Messianic expectations of Israel. The goal here is to offer a thoughtful,
respectful exploration of the belief that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s
promise to His people.
The Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures
The Hebrew Scriptures
are filled with references to a future anointed one—a Messiah—who would bring
about the redemption of Israel and establish God’s kingdom on earth. The term
Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ Mashiach) means “anointed one,” referring to the
ancient practice of anointing kings, priests, and prophets with oil as a sign
of their divine calling. The Messiah, according to Jewish tradition, would be
an anointed king from the line of David who would rule with righteousness,
defeat Israel’s enemies, and restore peace.
There are many key
passages in the Tanakh that point to the coming of this anointed deliverer. In
particular, the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah, and the Psalms
describe the characteristics and mission of the Messiah.
Isaiah:
The prophet Isaiah
provides significant descriptions of the Messiah. Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of the
coming of a child who will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal
Father, Prince of Peace” and whose government will bring justice and peace
forever. Isaiah 53 describes the Messiah as the Suffering Servant, who would be
“pierced for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5,
LSB).
Jeremiah:
The prophet Jeremiah
speaks of a righteous branch from David’s line who will reign as a king and
bring justice and righteousness. This passage, found in Jeremiah 23:5-6,
highlights that in His days, “Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell
securely,” and His Name will be called Yahweh Our Righteousness.
Micah:
In Micah 5:2, the
Messiah is prophesied to come from Bethlehem, saying: “But as for you,
Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.”
This passage is often connected with the birth of Jesus, who was born in
Bethlehem.
Zechariah:
The book of Zechariah
provides a vision of the Messiah’s triumphal entry: “Behold, your king is
coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a
donkey” (Zechariah 9:9, LSB). This prophecy is understood as being fulfilled in
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
Psalms:
These passages
collectively illustrate the mission and characteristics of the Messiah as both
a suffering servant and a righteous king who brings salvation and peace to
Israel and the nations. They outline the hope for both spiritual restoration
and political deliverance, with the Messiah playing a pivotal role in God’s
plan to renew and redeem Israel and the world.
The Davidic Covenant: A King Forever
One of the most
prominent expectations surrounding the Messiah is that He would come from the
line of David. God made a covenant with King David, promising that one of his
descendants would reign over Israel forever: “And your house and your kingdom
shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever” (2
Samuel 7:16).
This promise of an
everlasting king was a central hope for the Jewish people. The expectation was
that a descendant of David would arise, bring deliverance, and reign in
righteousness. For Christians, Jesus’ genealogy, as presented in the Gospels,
traces His lineage back to David (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38), affirming His
claim as the rightful heir to David’s throne. More than just a biological
connection, however, Jesus fulfilled the spiritual mission of the Davidic King
by establishing a kingdom that transcends earthly politics—a kingdom of
justice, peace, and eternal life.
Isaiah’s Prophecies of the Messiah
The book of Isaiah
contains some of the most detailed and profound prophecies concerning the
Messiah. Written during a time of national crisis for Israel, Isaiah’s message
offers both judgment and hope. He speaks of a coming Servant of the Lord who
will bring salvation, justice, and healing not only to Israel but to the whole
world.
Isaiah 9:6-7 famously
foretells the birth of a divine ruler:
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given
to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His
government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and
righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will accomplish this.”
This prophecy points
to a Messianic King who would not only be human but who would bear divine
titles—Mighty God and Prince of Peace. Christians see in this passage a
foreshadowing of Jesus’ birth and His divine nature, as well as His mission to
bring peace and justice to the world.
Another significant
passage in Isaiah is the Suffering Servant prophecy in Isaiah 53. Here, the
Messiah is described not as a conquering king but as a servant who suffers on
behalf of the people:
“He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God and afflicted.
But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our peace fell upon Him,
And by His wounds, we are healed.”
This image of a suffering servant stands in stark contrast to the common expectation of a triumphant king. This passage points directly to Jesus’ crucifixion, where He suffered not for His own sins but for the sins of humanity. His death is seen as the ultimate sacrifice, bringing forgiveness and healing to all who trust in Him.
Micah’s Prophecy of Bethlehem
The prophet Micah
offers another key prophecy concerning the birthplace of the Messiah:
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you, One will go forth for Me to be ruler in
Israel.
His goings forth are from everlasting,
From the ancient days.”
The Messiah’s birth in
Bethlehem is significant because Bethlehem was the birthplace of King David,
thus linking the Messiah to David’s royal lineage. According to the Gospels,
Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 2:4-7), fulfilling this
ancient prophecy. His birth in this humble town, far from the centers of power,
reflects the humility of His mission and the surprising ways in which God often
works in the world.
The Promise of a New Covenant
In addition to the
Davidic and prophetic expectations, the Hebrew Scriptures also speak of a
coming New Covenant that God will establish with His people. This promise is
found in the book of Jeremiah:
“Behold, days are
coming,” declares Yahweh, “when I will cut a new covenant with the house of
Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I cut with
their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land
of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, but I was a husband to them,” declares
Yahweh. “But this is the covenant which I will cut with the house of Israel
after those days,” declares Yahweh: “I will put My law within them, and on
their heart, I will write it, and I will be their God, and they shall be My
people. (Jeremiah 31:31-33).
For Christians, Jesus’
life and ministry represent the inauguration of this New Covenant. Through His
teachings, death, and resurrection, He brought about a new way of relating to
God, one not based on the external observance of the Law but on an internal
transformation of the heart. This New Covenant is open to all people, both Jew
and Gentile and is centered on a personal relationship with God through faith
in Jesus.
An Invitation
to Explore the Prophecies
For centuries, Jewish
scholars and rabbis have carefully studied and interpreted these and other
Messianic prophecies. There are many legitimate interpretations within Judaism,
and this chapter is not intended to dismiss those views. Instead, the goal is
to invite Jewish readers to revisit these ancient prophecies and consider the
possibility that Jesus of Nazareth fulfills them in a way that may not have
been expected but that nevertheless aligns with the overarching narrative of
God’s plan for redemption.
Could the prophecies
of a suffering servant, a Davidic king, and a New Covenant find their
fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus? This is the question
I invite you to explore throughout this book.
A Messiah for All Nations
One of the remarkable
aspects of the Messianic prophecies is their scope. The Messiah is not just a
deliverer for Israel but for the whole world. Isaiah speaks of the Messiah as a
“light for the nations” (Isaiah 42:6) and as one who will bring salvation to
the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6). In Jesus, the promise of salvation has
been extended beyond the boundaries of Israel to include all people—Jew and
Gentile alike. However, this global mission does not negate the special role of
Israel in God’s plan; instead, it fulfills the original promise made to
Abraham: “Through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed”
(Genesis 22:18).
Jesus’ mission was to
bring about the redemption of Israel and, through Israel, to bless the entire
world. The Messianic hope, therefore, is not only for the future of Israel but
for the healing and restoration of all creation.
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