OT Teachings about the Coming Messiah

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Last time I was up here we talked about the game of telephone. I’ve got another game for this week’s question. Imagine a lively game of charades. The topic? ‘Who is the Messiah?’ One person dramatically swings a sword, pretending to be a mighty warrior. Another bends down, mimicking the healing of the sick. A third strokes an imaginary beard, posing as a wise teacher. Each guess sparks laughter and playful debate—‘Is He a conqueror? A miracle worker? A great philosopher?’

Transition to the Reality of Jesus:

“But here’s the thing: if you were to ask the people of Jesus’ time who the Messiah would be, you’d get the same variety of guesses. Many expected a military leader who would overthrow Rome. Some looked for a miracle worker. Others anticipated a great prophet. And yet, despite all their searching, many missed the true Messiah—because He didn’t fit neatly into their expectations.”

Set Up the Talk’s Purpose:

“Tonight, we’re going to see how the Old Testament doesn’t leave us guessing about the Messiah. God gave us clear prophecies—detailed descriptions—so that when the Messiah came, we would recognize Him. And as we’ll see, Jesus fulfills every one of them. He is not just a teacher, not just a healer, not just a king. He is all of these—and more. He is the Savior, the one who takes away the sin of the world.”

Messianic Identification—How Does the Old Testament Describe the Messiah?

A Descendant of David:

“I will raise up your offspring to succeed you… I will establish his throne forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-13)

Jesus, born in the lineage of David, fulfills this eternal kingship.

A Righteous and Just King:

“The days are coming… when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” (Jeremiah 23:5)

Jesus’ life and teachings centered on justice, truth, and righteousness.

A Suffering Servant:

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Jesus’ crucifixion perfectly aligns with this prophecy, pointing to Him as the atoning sacrifice.

A Prophet Like Moses:

“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites.” (Deuteronomy 18:18)

Jesus spoke with divine authority, fulfilling this prophecy.

A Light to the Gentiles:

“I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)

Jesus’ message and mission extended beyond Israel to the whole world.

Reflection:

“God provided detailed descriptions of the Messiah so that there would be no mistake in identifying Him. Jesus meets every one of these criteria.”

Old Testament Prophecies and Their Fulfillment in Jesus

Birth: The Messiah’s Place of Origin

Prophecy: “But you, Bethlehem… out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” (Micah 5:2)

Fulfillment: Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1).

Forerunner: The One Who Prepares the Way

Prophecy: “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.” (Malachi 3:1)

Fulfillment: John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus (Matthew 3:1-3).

Ministry: The Messiah’s Mission

Prophecy: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Fulfillment: Jesus read this passage in the synagogue and declared, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16-21)

Opposition: The Messiah Faces Resistance

Prophecy: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:22-23)

Fulfillment: Jesus quotes this passage, then continues: “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” (Matthew 21:43)

Fulfillment: In Acts 4, Peter preaches “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.”

Betrayal: A Close Friend’s Treachery

Prophecy: “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” (Psalm 41:9)

Fulfillment: Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, betrayed Him (John 13:18, Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50).

Arrest and Abandonment:

Prophecy: “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” (Zechariah 13:7)

Fulfillment: When Jesus was arrested, His disciples fled (Mark 14:50).

Death: The Messiah’s Suffering and Sacrifice

Prophecy: “They will look on me, the one they have pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10)

Prophecy: “They pierce my hands and my feet… they divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” (Psalm 22:16,18)

Fulfillment: Jesus was crucified, and Roman soldiers gambled for His clothing (John 19:23-24, 34).

Resurrection: The Messiah Would Not See Decay

Prophecy: “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” (Psalm 16:10)

Fulfillment: Jesus rose from the dead on the third day (Acts 2:31-32).

Ascension: The Messiah’s Return to Heaven

Prophecy: “The LORD says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” (Psalm 110:1)

Fulfillment: Jesus ascended into heaven before His disciples (Acts 2:33-35).

Return: The Messiah’s Future Reign

Prophecy: “One like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven… He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power.” (Daniel 7:13-14)

Fulfillment: Jesus foretold His return in the same manner (Matthew 24:30).

Reflection:

“These are not coincidences. No one but Jesus fits these descriptions. He alone fulfills the prophecies of the Messiah, confirming that He is the one God promised.”

Conclusion: Do Not Miss the Messiah

The Tragic Mistake of Jesus’ Time:

“When Jesus walked the earth, the Jewish people were waiting for a Messiah. But they weren’t looking for a suffering servant or a Savior from sin. They wanted a political and military leader who would free them from Roman oppression. They wanted someone who would overthrow their enemies, restore Israel’s national power, and reign with strength.”

“But in their search for a political liberator, they missed the very Son of God—the true Messiah who came to free them from something far greater than Rome. He came to free them from the oppression of sin.”

We Cannot Make the Same Mistake:

“Today, people still misunderstand Jesus. Some see Him as just a great teacher, a wise philosopher, or an example of how to live and love others. But if that’s all you see, then you have missed Him, just as many in His time did.”

“Jesus is not just a moral guide—He is the Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sin of the world. He is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53, the victorious King of Daniel 7, the fulfillment of every prophecy spoken about the Messiah.”

The Evidence is Clear—If We Read God’s Word:

“God has not left us in the dark. The Old Testament is filled with prophecies—specific, undeniable, detailed descriptions of the Messiah—and Jesus fulfills them all. If we read God’s Word with open eyes, He gives us all the evidence we need to know who the Messiah is.”

“John 5:39 says, ‘You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.’

Road to Emmaus: Luke 24:27 “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Jesus was clear: the Old Testament points to Him.”

A Call to the Church:

“Church, let us not be like those who failed to recognize their Savior. Let us proclaim with confidence that Jesus is the Messiah, the fulfillment of every prophecy, the hope of the world. Let us know the Scriptures, teach them faithfully, and defend them boldly.”