Messiah

This week and month has been daunting for everyone in our country. We have seen fear rise up in our own lives and in the lives of our neighbors. I want to encourage you today and bring you a word from scripture that will give you a focus in these uncertain times.

It’s ok to be afraid and aware of the situation in front of you. But, we cannot for the life of us allow our minds to fall apart. We have a place to focus our eyes and mind.

Hebrews 12:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Verse 2 tells where our focus must be. “Fix your eyes on Jesus”.

I encourage you to fix you eyes on Jesus throughout this season that we find ourselves in. We don’t have do anything other than focus on Him and listen to whatever He would call His people to do.

With that thought in mind, I want to take you to , where Jesus shared for the first time that He was the messiah.

READ PASSAGE

The disciples were withdrawn to a quiet place without the crowds. Jesus was praying and the disciples were in close proximity where they were able to have a discussion.

Jesus asked two questions:

Who do people think I am?

Who do you think I am?

It’s one thing to share the opinions of others. That doesn’t cost you much. It’s something else to share with someone how you actually feel.

The disciples had been with Jesus through so much at this point and were beginning to realize that they were not walking with a mere man.

“Messiah” - This word echoes throughout the history of the Jewish faith.

In the times of Jesus, Jewish people detested the rule that Rome had over them.

They longed for deliverance like their people experienced in Egypt.

The people would have thought of a messiah in a political way and make the term out to be a military claim.

What does messiah mean according to the teachings of Jesus? (We are prepping for Easter.)

1. People will always have opinions.

Jesus asked His disciples what other people were saying about Him.

The rumors were spreading.

“John the Baptist” - The OT promised that John the Baptist would come before Jesus.

“Elijah” - Malachi foretold the return of Elijah would precede the day of judgment.

The disciples had been in places where people had begun to murmur of Jesus and what His agenda was.

They hoped for the messiah to come and help them overthrow Rome.

In other words, they were fine with Jesus being the messiah as long as He fit their agenda.

In the age of life we find ourselves in, we must begin to understand that just because other people have opinions doesn’t mean that we have to believe to be fact. Everyone has their own understanding.

Jesus asked this question because He was teaching the disciples that everyone had their own opinions of who Jesus was.

This has not changed.

Jesus has been believed to be a:

good man

prophet

leader of an uprising

carpenter

teacher

magician

genie

speaker of good words that make us feel good

the causer of all the worlds problems

etc.

People will always have their own beliefs based on their behavior and actions.

Because I know that this will always be true, I can begin to understand that my mind cannot dwell on the opinions of others, but on something much greater.

2. Belief is is meant to be personal.

Jesus was more interested in the opinions of His closest followers.

Peter, as the spokesperson, said, “God’s messiah”.

Other versions said that Jesus was the “Christ”

Christ is the Greek word for “anointed”

Peter believed that this is who Jesus is to be.

The messiah would be the great leader the Jews hoped to come rescue and rule them.

Many would get this wrong because they would not believe in Jesus themselves.

I know who I am. I know who I serve. I know where I am going. - Jon Randles

People aren’t delivered by the opinions people have on Jesus. They are delivered by Jesus.

The knowledge of Christ is always a personal discovery, not from a report told by other people.

Right now, the church has been put in a place where individuals are being forced to decide if they believe that Jesus is who He said He is.

“I am the bread of life.” (, , , ) As bread sustains physical life, so Christ offers and sustains spiritual life. 

“I am the light of the world.” () To a world lost in darkness, Christ offers Himself as a guide.

“I am the door of the sheep.” (,) Jesus protects His followers as shepherds protect their flocks from predators.

“I am the resurrection and the life.” () Death is not the final word for those in Christ.

“I am the good shepherd.” (, ) Jesus is committed to caring and watching over those who are His.

“I am the resurrection and the life.” () Death is not the final word for those in Christ.“I am the good shepherd.” (, ) Jesus is committed to caring and watching over those who are His.“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” () Jesus is the source of all truth and knowledge about God.“I am the true vine.” (, ) By attached ourselves to Christ, we enable His life to flow in and through us. Then we cannot help but bear fruit that will honor the Father.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” () Jesus is the source of all truth and knowledge about God.

“I am the good shepherd.” (, ) Jesus is committed to caring and watching over those who are His.“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” () Jesus is the source of all truth and knowledge about God.“I am the true vine.” (, ) By attached ourselves to Christ, we enable His life to flow in and through us. Then we cannot help but bear fruit that will honor the Father.

“I am the true vine.” (, ) By attached ourselves to Christ, we enable His life to flow in and through us. Then we cannot help but bear fruit that will honor the Father.

Today is the day to decide who we belong to!

Do you just listen to the opinions of others in regards to Jesus or do you know Him as Lord?

3. Messiah means death, burial, and resurrection.

Jesus strictly warned the disciples to tell no one of what was happening. Jesus did not meet the agenda of the people and were not ready to hear this information.

Jesus would suffer many things.

He would be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes.

He would be resurrected.

The word messiah focuses much of its meaning in suffering.

Suffering for the messiah would be certain.

“Rejected” - Technical term for rejection after a careful legal scrutiny to see whether a candidate for office was qualified.

It was their nations leaders who would be the foremost to accuse.

Jesus wanted His followers to understand that yes, He was the messiah, but this was not simply a position of glory but one of suffering.

The end would result in glory. Resurrection was just as certain as the crucifixion.

There are days that Christians feel like they are losing. Sometimes, the only thing we have to hold on to is that we know for a fact that everything ends in glory.

Followers of Jesus must be prepared to suffer too.

Die to worldly ambitions and place our hopes and reputation on a glory that is to come.

John 16:33 NASB95

33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Do you need to hear this again? We serve a God who has overcome the world! Yes there are trials but are not eternal. They are temporary. They must die.

As Easter season approaches, are you showing the world that the lamb has overcome? Nothing can stop this. Join in the celebration.