The Old Testament of the Bible is filled with prophecies of a coming Messiah. Jews living at the time of Jesus’ birth had long been anticipating the coming of their savior. Hundreds of years before his birth it had been predicted that the Messiah would: be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14a), in Bethlem (Micah 5:2), from King David’s bloodline (2 Samuel 7:12-16). It was also foretold that He would be: Anointed by God’s Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2), a worker of miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6) and that he would ride a donkey into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9). The way Jesus would die was also accurately predicted by the prophets, who said He would: be rejected (Isaiah 53:3), be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12), have his Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16), and that he would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10) and ascent into heaven (Psalm 68:18).¹
In fact, Jesus fulfilled every one of the hundreds of messianic prophecies in the Bible. So, I just cannot fathom how or why the Jews of his day who spent their whole lives learning and studying the scriptures did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah. How could they have missed it?
The truth is that 2000 years later we are still missing Him. Some miss the invitation to enter into a relationship with Him, even though he keeps knocking, waiting to be let in. Others miss the opportunity to grow closer to him by allowing our busyness to replace His presence. We also miss him when we neglect serving those in need….after all, He is most easily found among the least of these.
As we join together with family and friends to celebrate Christmas…let’s not miss Him, especially since this is His party after all. And, throughout the year, let’s keep looking for Him with determination and vigilance. Let’s also make sure we continue to train our children and grandchildren to look for and find Jesus, each and every day.
1. http://www.messianic-prophecy.net/
1 comment:
Two things:
1) Yeshua didn't fulfill ALL of the prophecies... yet. The prophecies about setting up a kingdom and defeating Israel's enemies have yet to be fulfilled. Because the Jews at the time were looking for the Conquering King Messiah -- known in rabbinic literature as Messiah ben David, as opposed to the Suffering Servant/Priestly Messiah, known in rabbinic literature as Messiah ben Joseph -- they missed him.
2)Why do they miss Him? Probably because, starting with anti-semites like Marcion and confirmed with the horrendous Constantine, the Sect of the Nazarene ceased to be a Jewish sect and became, at least in practice, paganized. Your Christmas wish is a symptom of that and, thus, ironic in this blog. Yeshua was born at Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) in the fall, not on December 25. You can read teachings on this subject at:
http://www.messianic.com/articles/dates.htm (Biblical Dates for Messiah's Conception & Birth by one of my mentors, may he rest in peace)
http://tinyurl.com/a47wwb (Christmas vs. Hanukkah: Which Would Jesus Celebrate?, by me)
Blessings to you at this time of Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication) and of Messiah's CONCEPTION,
Messianic Rabbi Adam J. Bernay
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