The Bible recounts the prominent stages in the life and ministry of God’s Spirit-annointed Messiah (see Med.9):
a) He comes into our world through his miraculous birth as a Jew in Israel:
Matthew tells us about that miraculous birth: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” (Matthew 1:23).
With regard to his birth as a Jewish child, the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome: “Christ, the Messiah, himself was a Jew as far as his human nature is concerned.” (Romans 9:5).
The angels proclaimed to shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth: “The Saviour-- yes, the Messiah, the Lord-- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of (king) David!” (Luke 2:11).
Jesus Himself, speaking about his earthly life and saving ministry, states that “... salvation comes through the Jews.” (John 4:22)
b) He is the divine ‘Shepherd’ who compassionately reaches out to everyone who calls on him:
Matthew tells us the story of John the Baptist’s disciples who came to Jesus with the following question: “Are you really the Messiah we've been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?” Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him about what you have heard and seen-- the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” (Matthew 11:3-5).
The apostle Peter explains the ministry of God’s Spirit-anointed Messiah as follows: “No doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38).
c) He is the divine Saviour of his people Israel and of the entire world:
God the Father speaks about his Son through the prophet Isaiah ca. 700 years before Jesus’ birth, saying: “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the nations, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6 ).
The apostle John writes: “We have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.” ( 1 John 4:14).
Already before Jesus’ birth, an angel said in a dream to Joseph: “She (i.e. Mary, Joseph’s fiancée) will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).
The name Jesus means: ‘God saves’.
The prophet Isaiah prophesied about this promised Messiah: “His name will be the hope of all the world.” (Matthew 12:21).
As we just read, the Bible assures us that our world will not end in doom and gloom as many fear. The Bible reassures us that God’s Messiah will save our world. He stands surety for a hopeful future.
Next time we will continue our exploration of Jesus’ messianic mission.
All Bible verses are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’, except Matthew 1:21 (‘New International Version’).
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