Is Jesus Really the Messiah
72***This is inspired by Lee Strobel's Case for Christ.
Question: Name who this quote is referring to and where it can be found:
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Answer at bottom)
There are so many confusing thoughts regarding Jesus. Most people will acknowledge that he lived, but as to who he truly is has been much debated. There are many reasons people are drawn to God, whether it is a heart issue and they realize by following the teaching of Jesus Christ they are a "better" person or they feel it is great to be part of a group of others who have a common goal and interest. But neither of these are truly reasons to be a follower of God. The only true reason to be a follower of Jesus, is if Jesus is really the Messiah, forgiver of sins. Any other reason is null and void.
Eye Witness Evidences
But how can we two thousand years later, truly believe the events that we hear are true. Lee Strobel did an amazing job in his investigations on this, and much of what I write is inspired by his investigations.
There are four accounts by four different historians within the New Testament in history: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are all different, but similar. Some focus heavily on some areas, while others on others. But how accurate are these. It is important to realize that these gospels were written by eye witnesses.
Mark was the first one written in 60 AD, then John. All four of these historians wrote within the first century when other eye witnesses were still around to validate the truths of these writings. If John was truly written by John the disciple, he was there for many of Jesus' most intimate moments.
There are other gospels that did not make it into the New Testament that account the events during Jesus time. Although, much the reason why they did not make it into the Bible, is because Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were the earliest accounts. Many of the others were written in the second century, where eye witness were no longer alive and unable to ascertain the true validity of the words.
Why Are The Gospels Different?
In a court of law even if you were to bring in four eye witnesses, all would remember the events just slightly different, but by understanding all four people's eye witnesses you get a better idea of what truly happen. Just because in Matthew 20:30, there was two blind men being healed, but Luke 18:35-38 only lists one does not eliminate the validity that there was truly two who were healed. Even Mark focuses more heavily on the more prominent of the two. The fact that one of the blind men was more prominent in the eyes of the villagers, would explain why the other three would only list him as the man healed.
If all four accounts were identical, then there would be likelihood that all four were just copies from one another, but these were all eye witness accounts of what had happened.
What The Accounts Say About Jesus
All the accounts show Jesus making his claims in the first person. During this time, as well as before and after, when referring to God, we talk in the second person. He even tells people in the bible, "Your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2). Jews believed only God could forgive sins. He also claimed that he was here before the beginning of the world (John 17:5). So for Jesus to make a claim that someone's sins are forgiven, He was making a claim that He was God, the Messiah. Jesus would even claim authority over the scripture (Matt. 5:21-39), when he clarified what Moses said.
Not only does he speak in the first person, but he also keeps His claims of being the Messiah when threatened with a horrific death that included beatings and hanging on the cross.
In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the "Son of Man" over eighty times. This phrase was taken out of Daniel chapter 7, which shows that the people who wrote the Bible, as well as Jesus Himself believed himself to be more than just a man.
Jesus was not the only one to refer to Himself as God, but Thomas (John 20:28) among others referred to Jesus directly as God.
Many of the disciples told about in the gospels and other books in the new testament, tell about men who laid down their life for Jesus Christ. How many of these men would have laid down their life if they didn't truly believe. These are men who walked with God, and almost all of the twelve gave their life for the truth they believed.
The Prophesies
How do we know that His claims were real? Was Jesus some mentally ill person who believed He was God? By studying the old testament, we can see that Jesus' coming was long foretold centuries before He came. The Old Testament even states where Jesus was going to be born (Micah 5:2)and whose line He was going to be born to (Genesis 12:3). These two facts more than any of the other prophecies that are stated, prove Jesus' divine nature. Many of the other prophecies He fulfilled could have been orchestrated by Jesus himself to try to prove that He was the Messiah. But even, He, unless He was truly God, could choose His birthplace and to what line He came from.
Some people have trouble believing that the Old Testament truly does prophecy His coming, here are some key points found within the Old Testament that proves people were expecting a Messiah. If Jesus is not the Messiah, then we should be awaiting the Messiah's arrival. The Psalms directly refers to Jesus in Psalm 2:7. Not only was Jesus' arrival prophesied, but a man who would lead the way. John the Baptist led His way, as we not only see throughout the New Testament, but also foretold in Isaiah 40:3. Most of Jesus' life is foretold even his miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6), betrayed by Judas (Psalms 41:9), his death (Daniel 9:26) and how much He would be betrayed for (Zechariah 11:12). There are hundreds of other evidence that shows that people during Jesus' time were awaiting His arrival, and were given proof that He truly was who He claimed to be.
Jesus also pointed to these prophesies to prove that He truly was the Messiah (Luke 22:37).
Some reasons why people reject the teaching of Jesus, is because they don't want to feel accountable to something. But even the Bible foresees that people are going to reject the gospels, reject Jesus, reject not only Christianity, but Christians themselves (Isaiah 53:3). Most people will acknowledge that the Bible does give very great advice, but it's not the advice on good clean living that is challenged, it's Jesus, the whole premise of the Bible, people challenge.
Answer: Well, it was written in Isaiah 53:6, the Old Testament. I believe it was referring to Jesus, do the Jews?
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Thank you!!!
I have no doubts that Jesus was the Messiah. My life changed dramatically when I accepted this fact.
The more I study the Bible the more obvious it is that it is divinely inspired and the only real Truth. Check out www.biblewheel.com if you want to be blown away by the intricate weaving of the 22 Hebrew letters and the 66 books of the Bible. It inspired me to start studying Hebrew in order to verify what McGough teaches. He's right and I've spent the last year teaching a class using his "wheel".
The story of Jesus is fascinating! This is what I can say with certainty. Great Hub!
Over the years I have been given revelations through either dreams or visions of a day in the court of judgement for sinners. One very important and significant one, I have reported in my Hubs.
At the time, I had no idea why I was shown this, for my belief and my faith were in a state of "Lukewarmness" I knew God, and I knew Jesus, and I knew God's Holy Spirit, but only from a distance and with no intimacy whatsoever.
You might say that I became a second John the Baptist through those dreams or visions, revelations.
Since my Hub where I report the one incident, I have developed the most powerful urge and desire to serve God and to know Him intimately, and now I do. Daily my evangelizing, my desire to share Jesus with whom ever will listen or read, is like a fountain pouring out its life giving energy.
If God were not real, if Jesus and His life were not real, if Jesus were not truly the Messiah, the Son of God, I know I would not have this sort of enthusiasm.
Pamela I'm so glad to hear that. Few decisions in our life make more of an impact on our life than that one decision. For such a non-active decision, it sure has active implications on our day to day life.
Debra, that wheel website has some really interesting stuff in it. I think I'm going to have to check it out some more.
Fuscia, I agree with you one hundred percent!
I'm going to have to read your hubs, for sure!!!
You Go, girl!! It is really the most vital question we will ever be asked to answer--luckily I can say yes.
Thanks GarnetBird.
Hi :)
Interesting!
I don't think that historians are sure exactly when the gospels were written, or by whom. And, as 'Gospels', they were written to spread the good news ~ not as histories, so, though they are interesting historic sources, they cannot be taken as truth or proof of anything.
I have read a couple of books which have made me think that Jesus probably did exist ~ but there is absolutely no proof of this ~ and there are other books which indicate that his story had been told before, so that he may have been legendary, rather than real.
I do find it a fascinating topic. I think that James Tabor's book, 'The Jesus dynasty' is really good.
I should reresearch how they knew when the gospels were written. They actually did have proof of particular dates, and reasons why they believe those dates are accurate.
Hello Angela-Michelle :)
Yes, you are right ~ it is true that I don't have the most up-to-date information on Gospel research and dating ~ but everything I read indicates that there is disagreement over dates.
If there is now consensus, between Christians and other historians, then I would really like to read about it, as I would find it most interesting.
However, I do wonder, even if the gospels were to be dated with unquestionable certainty, how far this would go towards answering your question about Jesus being 'the Messiah', because there is still the question of their reliability as evidence.
I think if we know when they were written, can better predict their reliability. Because the more closely to the time of Jesus, the more likely they contain truth.
Great article you really wrote here but cant actually argue anything in here because my belief and that of others differs .So anything you belief about Jesus is good for you.
Thanks for stopping by sun girl!!!
You make some valid points. The fact these men suffered and died for their testimony. The fact different accounts reinforce the truth of what was written. The fact people around that time were waiting for the messiah. A good hub indeed.
Thank you so much ruffridyer for responding. There is so much more to add this hub, and so much more to learn. I really hope others will find the truth as well. Maybe something I wrote, will help trigger their ability to hear the holy spirit calling out to them.
Citations
- http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/messiah.htm
- Lee Strobel's Case for Christ
- http://www.evilbible.com/contradictions.htm
- http://www.gci.org/bible/gospels/jesus
DiamondRN 15 months ago
Whether or not Jesus is the Messiah is the most important question that you will ever answer; and, for your own sake, it had better be in the affirmative, Angela_Michelle.
Voted up.