The Messiah Has Atoned

Call to worship: John 19:28-30

Theology: The work and person of Jesus Christ is the only source for the atonement of sin.

Intro: *** Jer. 33:3, Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.

539 BC, Daniel is now an octogenarian, and what is he doing? Bible study and prayer!

From Jeremiah’s prophecies to Daniel’s prayer and Bible study to the vision of the once and for-all atonement by the coming Messiah to the countdown begins with Ezra.

Jeremiah 29:10–13, For this is what the Lord says: “When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm my promise concerning you to restore you to this place. For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.

Ezra 7:8–10, Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, during the seventh year of the king. He began the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month and arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month since the gracious hand of his God was on him. Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Read Passage: Daniel 9

We Will Rise - Part 9

The Messiah Has Atoned

Daniel 9

Daniel’s prayer and conversation with Gabriel revealed the exact year of the Messiah’s appearance.

We should understand the authenticity and importance of the prophecy regarding the Messiah.

What does Daniel’s prophecy teach us regarding the Messiah?

1. The Messiah is righteous, forgiving, and compassionate. vs. 7, 9

Explanation: Daniel’s prayer proclaims who Jesus is. “Righteousness is yours, compassion and forgiveness are yours.

Reference: Ps. 72:19, Blessed be his glorious name forever; the whole earth is filled with his glory. Amen and amen.

Matt. 6:9, “Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.

Illustration: Names are often a connection to others and a reminder. Pray the names and prayers from the Bible

Application: Call Jesus who He really is, the anointed, chosen savior of the world.

2. The Messiah hears our cry for help. v. 23

Explanation: “I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God.” God heard Daniel's prayers. Remember, praying three times a day toward Jerusalem was a regular practice of Daniel’s life.

Reference: 2 Kings 20:5, “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will heal you...

Illustration: Story of Aron Ralston, his story is told in the movie 127 Hours. He had no way to call for help

Application: Know that God hears you.

3. The Messiah’s prophecy was sure and true. v. 24-27

Explanation: v. 24 Hebrew translation is seventy sevens. the exact year of the Messiah’s work is prophesied 490 years

v. 25 start counting from 458 BC is the Seventh year of the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia the issuing of the decree

Reference: Ezra 7:8, Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, during the seventh year of the king.

Illustration: 458 BC is the Seventh year of the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia

Application: What is the point of prophecy? You can trust God and His Word.

4. The Messiah’s task is complete. v. 24

Explanation: rebellion to an end, stop to sin, atone for iniquity, bring everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy, anoint the most holy place. Jesus the Messiah accomplished all of this!

Reference: Jer. 31:31-34, “Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”—the Lord’s declaration. “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “For I will forgive their iniquity and never again remember their sin.

When Jesus said, “It is finished.” He signified the completion of Jeremiah’s prophecy. The new covenant is here!

Illustration: Atonement refers to the reconciliation between God and humanity, achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. “Payment for an injury or a wrong committed.”

Heb. 9:15, Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Application: It is finished! The Debt is paid!

Conclusion: The prophecies that foretold the work of the Messiah came to pass in Jesus. That should give us great hope in God’s Word and His promises.

Invitation: Trust the Messiah!