Jesus was the Messiah
The identity of Jesus as the Messiah is at the heart of Christian faith. The term “Messiah” (Hebrew: Mashiach, Greek: Christos) means “anointed one,” and it carries with it a rich tapestry of expectation, prophecy, and fulfillment that is woven throughout the Old and New Testaments. The claim that Jesus is the Messiah is grounded in the testimony of scripture, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the historical reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. This article will explore the biblical foundation for Jesus as the Messiah, the meaning and significance, Jesus’ demonstrations, and the reasons why some reject this claim.
Biblical Testimony to Jesus as the Messiah
The New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus as the Messiah in numerous passages. One of the clearest declarations is found in the opening chapter of Matthew’s Gospel: “and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16). Christ is not a surname but a title. It affirms Jesus as the long-awaited anointed one. Similarly, in John’s Gospel, the purpose of the entire narrative is summarized: “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). The apostolic preaching in Acts also centers on this claim, as seen when Apollos “powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus” (Acts 18:28).
The Old Testament provides the prophetic foundation for the messianic hope. The Messiah was expected to be a Hebrew man (Isaiah 9:6), born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18), a priest in the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4), a king from the line of David (Isaiah 11:1-4; Matthew 22:42), and one who would suffer before entering his glory (Isaiah 53). The New Testament writers consistently present Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies, showing a continuity between the expectations of Israel and the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
The Meaning and Significance of Jesus as the Messiah
To understand what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah, we must first grasp the Old Testament background of the term. The anointed one was a figure set apart by God for a special purpose, often associated with kingship (as with David), priesthood, or prophetic ministry. Over time, the messianic hope in Israel became focused on a coming deliverer who would establish God’s kingdom, bring justice, and restore Israel.
Jesus’ messianic identity encompasses and transcends these expectations. He is the king in the line of David, but his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). He is the prophet like Moses, but he is also the very Word of God made flesh (John 1:1, 14). He is the priest, not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchizedek, offering himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 4:15; Psalm 110:4). The significance of Jesus as the Messiah is thus multi-faceted: he is the fulfillment of God’s promises, the embodiment of God’s presence, and the agent of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
How did Jesus Prove He was the Messiah?
The New Testament presents several lines of evidence for Jesus’ messianic identity. First, Jesus fulfilled the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. His birth in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6), his virgin birth (Matthew 1:22-23), his lineage from David (Luke 1:32-33), his ministry of healing and deliverance (Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 11:4-5), and his suffering and death (Isaiah 53; Luke 24:26-27) all align with the prophetic expectations.
Second, Jesus authenticated his messianic claims through his miracles. The Gospel of John refers to these as “signs,” intended to reveal Jesus’ identity: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31). The miracles of Jesus–healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, and commanding nature–demonstrate divine authority and fulfill messianic expectations (see, Isaiah 35:5-6).
Third, Jesus’ teaching and self-understanding point to his messianic role. He accepted the title of Messiah (Christ) when Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), and he affirmed this identity before the high priest (Mark 14:61-62). Jesus also interpreted his mission in light of the suffering servant of Isaiah 53, explaining to his disciples that “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected… and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31).
Finally, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the ultimate vindication of his messianic claims. Paul writes, “[Jesus] was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). The resurrection is not only a demonstration of divine power but also the fulfillment of messianic prophecy (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:24-36).
Objections to Jesus as the Messiah
Despite the biblical testimony, many have rejected the claim that Jesus is the Messiah. Some argue that Jesus did not fulfill all the messianic prophecies, particularly those related to the establishment of universal peace and the restoration of Israel’s political fortunes. For example, traditional Jewish expectations often focus on the Messiah as a conquering king who will bring about an era of peace and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Since these events did not occur during Jesus’ earthly ministry, some conclude that he cannot be the Messiah.
Others object on theological grounds, particularly the Christian claim that the Messiah is divine. The Old Testament affirms that God is not a man (Numbers 23:19), and some interpret this as precluding the possibility of a divine Messiah. However, as the New Testament reveals, the incarnation is a unique event in which the eternal Word became flesh (John 1:14), not a contradiction of God’s nature but the fulfillment of his redemptive plan. As one scholarly source notes, “God’s statements that he is not a man and Jesus’ statements that he is the Son of God coexist as true; they are not in conflict” (see John 20:30-31).
There are also historical and cultural reasons for rejection. In the first century, many Jews were looking for a political deliverer, not a suffering servant. The idea of a crucified Messiah was a “stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Even today, some reject Jesus as the Messiah due to differing religious traditions, misunderstandings of prophecy, or skepticism about the reliability of the New Testament accounts.
Conclusion - Indeed, Jesus was the Messiah
The claim that Jesus is the Messiah is deeply rooted in the testimony of scripture, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the historical reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The New Testament presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the messianic hope of Israel, the one who brings together the offices of prophet, priest, and king, and who inaugurates the kingdom of God through his redemptive work. While objections remain, both ancient and modern, the evidence for Jesus’ messianic identity is compelling for those willing to examine the scriptures with an open heart and mind.
As the Gospel of John concludes, “these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Jesus is the Messiah, and the invitation remains for all to consider the claims of Jesus, to explore the scriptures, and to discover the Hope, Truth, and Life found in him.