09-28-08 Sermon Review

Jesus Messiah!
John 4:25-26

"Messiah" is a term that is frequently used in churches, and though it is used frequently, many who use it do not understand the term. It doesn't really help that people know Christ is the Greek translation of the Messiah which is Hebrew word. Some actually believe Christ was Jesus' last name! I do not want you to be ignorant of such a wonderful term. Chris Tomlin says he's been wanting to use this precious term for a long time, and recently came out with a song "Jesus Messiah." It is a title, not Jesus' last name. Themore you know about this term, you will understand why it is so precious to call Jesus our Messiah.

Messiah is a Hebrew word denoting "anointed one." Will Varner, who has an excellent book on this term, explains that "The idea of being 'anointed' is that the person so anointed is consecrated and equipped to do a sacred task." In the Old Testament there were three specific offices which required anointing. The coming Messiah of whom the Jewish people were expecting had to to fulfill all three offices to be the legitimate Messiah prophesied of in the Holy Book. There was only one person in all history to fulfill all three offices, Jesus Christ. And so when the Samaritan woman spoke of the Messiah, Jesus affirmed, "I who speak to you am He."

Messiah the Prophet - The Samaritan woman, when she brings up the Messiah, was probably thinking of Deuteronmy 18:18. The Samaritans only accepted the first five books of the Old Testament as inspired, and therefore, their concept of the Messiah hinged on this famous passage. Their interpretation wasn't wrong - the prophet of whom the Lord speaks of is the Messiah, since no other prophet was like Moses - speaking face to face with the Lord almighty. Only Jesus fulfilled this expectation of the Messiah.

How should we then view Jesus? We need to listen to him. A prophet was someone who spoke the word of God. Hebrews highlights Jesus' supremacy among revelation: "God after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son" (Hebrews 1:2). God put the emphasis on Jesus' prophetic ministry when He said during the transfiguration, "This is My beloved son, with who I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5). If Jesus is the Messiah, if He is the prophet to come, then we must listen to Him. Where can we find His word? The Bible.

Messiah the Priest - The Messiah was not only a porphet, but also a priest. Speaking of the Messiah, David prophesied "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4). The priestly duty can be categorized into two specific tasks. One was to perform the sacrifices. Second was to make intercession for the people. Only the priest was able to make sacrifices, and only the High priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year to give the atonement sacrifice. What is interesting in the prophecy is not that the Messiah will do these tasks, but that the Messiah is a priest "in the order of Melchizedek." All priests in Israel had to come from the family of Levites. What does it mean then that the Messiah is "in the order of Melchizedek." The author of Hebrews explains: "Without father, without geneology, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually." Only and eternal man could fulfill this description! Only Jesus fits the prophecy perfectly for He is the Son of God, from everlasting to everlasting.

How then should we view Jesus? We need to come to Him as the only one who can make adequate atonement on our behalf to God. But the amazing thing is that He has already completed the sacrifice - He died on Calvary's tree and endured the wrath of God in our place. He has made atonement for us as our High Priest. Not only that, but Jesus is now exalted and intercedes for His people! What encouraging words does the author of Hebrews gives us: "Therefore, since we have ag reat high priest who passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16). Draw near o soul to Jesus! He will wash you sins away and make intercession for you! He has proved it with His cross.

Messiah the King - Lastly, the Messiah also needs to be a King. This makes the prophesied Messiah absolutely unique in all of history. Zechariah proclaims of the Messiah, "Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices" (Zechariah 6:13). There were quite a few kings who were prophets (David, etc), and there prophets who were also priests (Samuel, etc). But never has there been a prophet who was both a priest and a king! The only one who combined the office of priest and king was Melchizedek, but he was not a prophet. Jesus is the only man who fulfills this expectation of the Messiah adequately - a priest on the throne.

How should we then view Jesus? We need to honor and obey Him. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). We need to honor Him and give Him the praise that He deserves as Sovereign of creation. But we must also obey Him as obedient subjects. Let us not forget the warning Jesus gave us, "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness,'" (Matthew 7:22-23). He is a good king, a just king, a mighty king, a worthy king. Let us honor Him and obey Him.

The Messiah is a prophet, a priest, and a king. And Jesus is our Messiah. When the Samaritan woman brought up the Messiah to Jesus, He simply stated, "I who speak to you am He" (John 4:26). What's amazing here is what's not seen because of the English translation. Jesus actually used the Greek words "Ego Eimi." This is the consistent Greek translation of what's known as the tetragramaton "YHWH." It is translated in the English frequently as Jehovah or Yahweh. Jesus was claiming much more than affirming that He is the Messiah. He was claiming divinity. What does this mean? Our God has come to be our Messiah. Our God has come to speak to us. Our God has come to die for us. Our God has come to intercede for us. Our God has come to rule over us. When we consider that Jesus our God is the Messiah, our hearts should pour forth gratitude and praise to the Father who is ever gracious towards us. I pray that as you learn to call Jesus our Messiah, that you will grow in your appreciation of Jesus our Lord. Messiah, what a wonderful title! But even more so: Jesus, what a wonderful name! Stay strong and God bless!