Introduction: Read 2 Samuel 7:13, Isaiah 7:10-16
Messiah
Meaning: The word Messiah is from a Hebrew word meshiach, which means the anointed: thus a
Messiah is one called, anointed and appointed by God to serve Him.
Prophecy:
A prophecy refers to a prediction of what will happen in future. Messianic Prophecies: These are those predictions that were made by the prophets to describe the coming of a righteous King who will rule Israel according to God’s will. The origin of the Messianic prophecies in the Bible starts with prophet Nathan’s prophecy to King David.
NOTE:
The Roman ruled the Israelites before the birth of Jesus. They hated the Roman leadership and longed for somebody of their own to lead them into victory over the Roman rule.
The prophet of Israel (the Old Testament) communicated a message that God would send a messiah to bring all people into a lasting relationship with Him. The prophets who were sent had different ideas
about the Messiah. Their ideas about the Messiah were different from the Jewish expectations –
whereby they hoped for political King to lead them into victory over the Roman rule. But the prophets were talking about a religious one – to free them from sin. Topic Outcomes. By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
- Explain the Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Messiah.
- Relate the concept of the Messiah in the Old and New testaments.
- Explain the link between the Old and the New Testament
- Discuss the role of John the Baptist.
LESSON ONE. OLD TESTAMENT PROPHESIES ABOUT THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH.
Learning Outcomes. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe prophesies of Nathan,
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Psalmist prophecy (David) and Micah concerning the Messiah
NATHAN’S PROPHECY (2 Samuel 7:3 – 17) and (Psalms 89: 20 – 38).
David proposed to build God a house. Nathan, the prophet was given a message (an oracle) for David. In this prophecy, God told Nathan to tell King David that:
God would ensure that the Kingdom of David would last forever.
An heir from David’s lineage would rule
David’s heir shall build a house for God’s name. God would establish the throne of his Kingdom forever.
David heir shall be God’s son and God shall be his father.
David house and Kingdom shall be established forever.
David died. But God’s mercy shall not depart from the heir of David.
Hence the promise that the
Kingdom of David, shall last forever referred to the messiah who was to come. David is an ancestor of Christ.
ISAIAH’S PROPHECY – Isaiah 7: 10 – 16; 9: 1- 7; 61:1 –2; and 63.
In these readings, Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be:
Born of a virgin
A boy, born of a virgin and called ‘Emmanuel’ that is ” God with us”
A Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, The everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
The Spirit of God inside him
Anointed of God
Sent to preach the good news to the poor, to bring liberty to the captives, proclaim the year of favour from God.
Isaiah also prophesied that the Messiah would be the suffering servant
(Isaiah 53)
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUFFERING SERVANT – ISAIAH 53
He would bear the sins of human kind
He was oppressed, afflicted, despised, rejected of men
He bore suffering and disgrace submissively
He was mocked and spat on and wounded
He was innocent of sin and yet treated as a criminal.
He was pierced and wounded in the sides
He was crucified with thieves and made intercession for the sinners He was buried in a rich man’s tomb.
JEREMIAH’S PROPHECY- JEREMIAH 23: 5 – 6.
God promised to rise up a (branch) who shall:
Choose as King, a righteous descendant of David
Prosper
Rule wisely, do what is right, and just in the world
Execute justice on the earth
Ensure that Judah and Israel are safe and live in peace.
Be called ‘the God our righteousness” – “The Lord our salvation’ What does the term a ‘righteous branch ‘means? iv. MICAH’S PROPHESY, (MICAH 5: 1 – 5).
Micah prophesied that:
The Messianic King shall come from Bethlehem
He shall lead with authority
He will bring peace
THE PSALMIST PROPHECY (Psalm 41:9 and 110:1 –2).
David spoke of Betrayal by a close friend
Messiah is referred to as ‘ the Lord’
The messiah shall rule/reign in the midst of enemies.
Summary
Nathan, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Psalmist prophecy (David) and Micah prophesied of a Messiah to come. The Jews expected a Messiah who would be a political leader, a victorious ruler and a King. They expected a Messiah:
Who would lead his people into a time of great national power and prosperity;
In whose reign, there shall be no illness, no sorrow, no injustice,
In whose reign, there shall be no fear
In whose reign, land shall be filled with joy and peace Who shall rule forever.
Revision questions
1) Describe the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning the Messiah
2) What does the term Messiah mean?
3) Highlight the Jewish expectations of the Messiah in the Old Testament?
4) Did Jesus Christ fulfill the O.T. prophecies concerning the Messiah? How?
5) Which prophets in the Old Testament prophesied about the expected Messiah?
LESSON TWO. THE CONCEPT OF THE MESSIAH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Learning Outcomes. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to explain the concept of the Messiah in the New Testament
The concept of messiah is found in Luke 1:26 – 38; 2:1-23; 23:1 – 35; 24:50 – 51. The writer of Luke’s Gospel makes it clear that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah. How did He do this? Well Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies because;
Jesus was born from the lineage of David (Mathew 1)
Angle Gabriel said the child to be born shall rule forever (Luke 1:32)
Nathan’s prophecy
Jesus was born of Mary a Virgin, as pre told by Isaiah 7:14
Messiah is called Emmanuel, Isaiah’s prophecy. Mathew 1:18 – 25
Jesus was born in Bethlehem – Micah’s prophecy
The Messiah would be a ‘Son of David’ – Nathan, and Jeremiah prophesies. Jesus was referred to as a ‘Son of David’ (Luke 18:38)
Jesus would bring salvation said by Simeon during dedication of Jesus. Luke 2:29 – 32. This was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Jesus referred to himself as the Messiah by reading the scroll. Isaiah 61:1 – 2. and Luke 4: 18 – 19
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would perform miracles. Jesus performed many miracles.
The prophecy of the suffering servant (Isaiah 53) was fulfilled through the passion, death and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
We see Jesus betrayed by one of his disciples – friend, fulfilling the Psalmist prophecy.
Note that the Jews in the New Testament expected a messiah who would deliver them from the rule of the Romans. Jews expected Jesus to be a political leader or king.
However, Peter called him ‘the Christ of God’ (Luke 9:20). Matthew called him King of the Jews in chapter (2 verse 2). Hence, Jesus came as a Spiritual Leader and King, and not as a political Leader / King.
Self-Assessment Questions
- What does the name Emmanuel mean?
- Explain the concept of the Messiah in the New Testament?
LESSON THREE. ANNUNCIATION OF THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Introduction
The parents of John the Baptist were Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. Zechariah’s name meant ‘God has remembered’. Elizabeth’s name meant ‘God has sworn’.
Learning outcome. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus.
John the Baptist
- The Annunciation – Read – Luke 1:5 – 25.
Zechariah was a priest. He and his wife Elizabeth were old, good and righteous people of God. But they did not have a child. They were barren. But God gave them a child, John the Baptist. His birth was announced to his father, Zechariah, when he was in the temple offering incense. An Angel appeared to Zechariah and told him that his prayers had been heard. His wife Elizabeth will bear a son. The angel said the child would be called John, which means that ‘God is gracious’. The child Will be set aside to serve God.
Will be filled with the Holy Spirit
As an adult, John Will be a Nazarite. He should neither cut his hair nor drink wine. Shall turn many hearts of people to the Lord their God. Shall also turn the hearts of the fathers to their children Zachariah expressed unbelief to these words. Angel Gabriel told him that he shall be dumb until the fulfillment of the God’s words.
The Birth, Circumcision and Naming Of John the Baptist Elizabeth brought forth a son. This brought great joy to her and Zachariah. The cousins, and neighbours of Elizabeth wanted the Child to be named Zechariah after the father. But Elizabeth insisted on the name John. When Zechariah was asked to name the child, he wrote down the name John. On the 8th day, the child was named John as the angel had said. John was circumcised on the 8th day according to the Jewish traditions.
After naming his Child John, the mouth of Zechariah opened immediately and he started to speak. He sung a song – referred to as Benedictus in Luke 1:67 – 79. As he sung the Benedictus, Zechariah prophesied that God has:
Raised up a horn of salvation on the house of David Remembered his covenant with Abraham Zechariah said this about his Child John:
He shall be the prophet of the most high
The child/John shall prepare the way of the lord by
- Calling men to forgiveness
- Showing men the light of salvation (iii) Guiding people into peace.
LESSON FOUR. THE ROLE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
The role of John the Baptist is found in Isaiah 40: 3 – 5, Malachi 3:1, 4:5 – 6, and Luke 7: 20 – 35.
Learning Outcomes. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to describe the role of John the Baptist in the Gospel.
John the Baptist had an important role to play according to the Angel who announced his coming birth.
His role was to: .
Be a Prophet with qualities of Elijah (see Malachi 3:1, 4:5) Announce the good news to come just like Elijah did. Be the link between the Old Testament and New Testament Prepare the way for the Lord.
Announce the coming of God’s reign that was near.
Preach a baptism of repentance
Baptize with water
Introduce people, and his disciples to the Messiah – Jesus Christ.
Fulfil the Prophecy of Elijah that a messenger was sent before the coming of the Messiah. John the Baptist was likened to Elijah.
Topic review questions
- Outline the qualities of John as described by angel Gabriel to Zechariah
- Why was John referred to as the second Elijah?
- What lessons do Christians learn from annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist?
- describe the birth of John the Baptist
