Grasping the Messiah By Pastor Dan Kennedy © March 27, 2016 www.pastorkennedy.com Why do Christians have such an emphasis on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter? The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a critical, key event for us to comprehend life after death and the power of our Savior and Lord, but the primary purpose of the Resurrection is for the Identification and Acceptance of God’s Messiah. We can marvel in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but miss God’s reason for the Resurrection – to reveal His only Son, the Messiah to the world, so that they can be saved through His death and resurrection! “Let me build three commemorative tabernacles” - Peter Remember when Jesus took three of His disciples up to a high mountain and was transfigured before them? What was Peter’s response? What did God the Father say to Peter’s response? What should have been Peter’s response? Matthew 17:1–8 17After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters (tabernacles)—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. Another response that was totally human was that Israel’s desire for a Messiah was related to overcoming their current political system. The Israelites wanted an immediate King to be their Messiah. They could not seem to comprehend how their Messiah would provide Salvation for their sins, so they could be with their King for eternity! Whenever Paul preached, he preached that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, prophesied from the beginning of time. He suffered and died to take the punishment of our sin, and was raised again, conquering sin and death, as a confirmation that He is the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, KING of kings and LORD of lords. Acts 17:1–3 17 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said. 1. Paul Reasoned with them from the Scriptures about the Messiah a. Explaining b. Proving Why did Paul have to continually reason and prove Jesus to the Jewish people? · The Israelites were looking for their Messiah to immediately establish His Kingdom and overthrow the government of the Roman Empire. They did not expect their Messiah to come to suffer and die for the sins of the world – although the prophets also foretold the Suffering of the Messiah. They could not comprehend how this would all happen, so they focused their understanding on their Messiah’s coming Kingdom and their sharing in His coming glory. Having a Position in Christ’s Kingdom was on the minds of those in Christ’s inner circle: Matthew 20:20–21 A Mother’s Request 20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” Even following Christ’s Resurrection, one of the subjects they were most interested in was the overthrowing of Rome’s Government and the establishment of Christ’s: Acts 1:6 6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus’ followers struggled with the concept of the redemptive nature of Jesus’ Coming: Luke 24:25–26 25 He (Jesus) said to them (the two on the road to Emmaus, following Jesus’ resurrection), “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” The Jewish People wanted their Messiah’s Kingdom Now! Do you think that Paul could have gotten more Jewish converts if he had preached that Jesus was going to set up His Kingdom right away and overthrow the tyranny of the Roman Empire oppressing the Jewish people at that time? Earthly Kingdom Mentality Sometimes people accept Jesus and expect Him to transform their current negative issues – somewhat similar to what the Jews wanted in their deliverance from the political powers of Rome. · The Need to have all the benefits of a great kingdom now. · Needing Jesus to transform us to positions of power and blessing - to sit at His right or left in His Kingdom. · Jesus’ response… “Can you drink of the cup that I drink?” (the cup of suffering) (Matt. 20:22) If Paul had preached the message of Christ gaining immediate political power, how would that affect the forgiveness of sins and redemption for generations following the overthrow of the Roman Empire in A.D. 478? A political victory would have been meaningless for mankind’s eternal salvation unless there was just payment for their sins, whereby an individual could be justified before a Holy God! · The Israelites were looking for Elijah to appear and prepare people’s hearts “before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.” Malachi 4:5–6 5 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” · They did not expect John the Baptist, who came in the spirit and power of Elijah – (Luke 1:17), to fulfill the prophetic word concerning the preparing the way before the Suffering Messiah. · So we see there were two parts to the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding Elijah’s coming. 1. John the Baptist prepared the way, in the spirit and power of Elijah, before the coming of the Suffering Savior and Messiah. (Matthew 17:9–13; Luke 1:11-17; 76-77) 2. Elijah (possibly one of the two “Witnesses” found in Rev. 11:3-13), coming before the “great and dreadful day of the LORD”. Matthew 17:9–13 (After Jesus Transfiguration) 9 As they were coming down the mountain (where Jesus had been transfigured before them, and where He had spoken to Moses and Elijah), Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. (See Luke 1:11-17; 76-77) Luke 1:76–77 (Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father’s prophecy, at John’s birth) 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins… Matthew 3:1–3 John the Baptist Prepares the Way 3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” (See Isaiah 40:3-4) Elijah Mentality · If Elijah has not come, the Jewish scribes would argue, then the Messiah has not come. (Rejection of Christ as the Biblical Messiah by not comprehending the authority from which John the Baptist came.) · Establishing Elijah/Moses/or someone else, in a position to whom we give authority rather than the Messiah and His Holy Spirit. The Jewish People had lost the perspective of the reality of Christ’s Suffering and Death, in their great desire to see only their conquering King as a just, powerful, and eternal Ruler, not a Suffering Savior. They could not perceive the critical need for a perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Paul Reasoned with them about the Messiah’s Suffering 1. The Messiah – “the Christ,” had to Suffer · Jesus repeatedly told His disciples that He was going to suffer and die, but it was hard for them to grasp the concept that the Messiah had to first pay the penalty for the sins. Isaiah 53:4-6 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (See End Notes for additional Scripture) Paul Reasoned with them about the Messiah’s Rising from the Dead 2. The Messiah Rose from the Dead (see additional verses in End Notes) Psalm 16:9–10 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. Luke 24:6–7 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24:44–47 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 9:22 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 3. Paul Declared to them that Jesus was the Messiah “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ!” Paul reasoned with those who knew the books of Moses and the Old Testament Scripture about the reality of Jesus being the promised Messiah. Paul’s premise was of Jesus’ Suffering and Resurrection. (See End Notes) At Easter we focus on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in all of its glorious wonder! We can focus on how Christ’s Resurrection broke the power of sin, death, and the Hope of eternal life, which gives assurance for all who put their faith in Christ. But the real reason for the Resurrection encompasses these things, but there is still a greater reason: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ authenticates and substantiates the rightful identity of the Messiah. Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. ‘This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ’”…. Acts 17:2b–3 Our Problem with “Hearing” - How do we receive God’s Word? Various aspects of “Hearing” a. Hearing without Comprehension b. Hearing with Negative Bias c. Hearing without Need d. Hearing with Perception e. Hearing which brings Salvation Comprehending and Accepting the Messiah Grasping the Messiah · Rejoicing in His Suffering, Death and Resurrection! · Trusting in Jesus Christ, not something else, or on what we can “do”, for our eternal Salvation · Relying on Him for the needs of our life – crying out to Him, waiting on Him, trusting Him. · Building the foundation of our life on His “Rock”, rather than the world’s “sand”. (Matt. 7:24-27) ____________________________________ End Notes Reasoning: The Reasoning Mind  a. Perspectives of Deception b. Perspectives of Truth 2. The Messiah: The Suffering and Risen Messiah a. The Jewish People had lost the understanding of the reality of Christ’s Suffering and Death, in their great desire to see only their conquering King and Just Ruler. b. The Universal Need for Spiritual Redemption i. Reasons for our existence from an inquiring mind ii. Reasons for an eternal perspective 1. Eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11) iii. Reasons from authentication of thousands of years of prophetic fulfillment. 1. If, for thousands of years there had been specific declarations proclaiming a coming Messiah, from a multitude of ancient credible sources, and if these predictions had all been fulfilled to the letter (not “in general”, or “somewhat fulfilled”), then there is reason to honestly consider their accuracy, truthfulness, and compelling substance. a. The Messiah’s Suffering b. The Messiah’s Death c. The Reason for the Messiah’s Suffering and Death – Deliverance and Redemption from the guilt, accountability and judgment for our sin against God and our inclusion in His Eternal Kingdom. d. The Messiah’s Resurrection, with its Defeat of Sin and Death e. The Messiah’s Eternal Reign c. The Universal Need for Relationship i. Relational acceptance and understanding 1. Love and Respect 2. Security 3. Mutual meaning ii. Relational intimacy iii. Relational continuity iv. Hope for Eternal Relationship with God 1. If all we have in this life is selfish and terminal then there is no reason for the reality of: a. Justice b. Hope for eternal life c. Secure and enduring love d. Compassion e. Respect for others, etc., etc. d. Jesus: Jesus Christ, the Messiah Hearing and Seeing: The Hearing Ear and Perceptive Heart “He who has ears to hear let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15) Various aspects of “Hearing” - How do we perceive God’s Word? a. Hearing without Comprehension b. Hearing with Negative Bias c. Hearing without Need d. Hearing with Perception e. Hearing with Salvation Comprehending and Accepting the Messiah “Grasping the Messiah” Jesus, the Messiah, suffered and was raised again from the dead. This has happened to no one else in the history of the world, as it did of Jesus; therefore, Jesus is THE CHRIST, God’s Son, God’s Messiah for the sinful human race. Jesus told His disciples many times of His coming suffering and death…yet, when it came, they could not comprehend it. Matthew 17:22–23 22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief. Mark 9:30–31 30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” Hebrews 2:9–10 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Hebrews 12:1–2 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 1 Peter 1:10–11 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. Acts 3:18 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Moses, who authored, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the first five books of the Old Testament, wrote of the Coming Messiah as our Suffering Savior, Redeemer and, following His Second Coming: Eternal King Genesis 3:15 (The LORD cursing the serpent who deceived Eve) 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 12:3 (God blessed Abraham and through him a blessing would come on all the peoples of the earth) 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (This blessing is ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah) Numbers 21:7–9 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. John 3:14–15 (Spoken of by Jesus, when discussing salvation with Nicodemus) 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. Numbers 24:17 17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth. John 1:45–46 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. John 5:45–46 45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. “All the Prophets” 2 Samuel 7:12–16 (Nathan the Prophet speaking to King David about his enduring kingdom – not only through his immediate sons, but through the Eternal Messianic King in his future posterity.) 12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ” Isaiah 7:14 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 9:6–7 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. The Suffering Savior Isaiah 50:6 6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Isaiah 52:13–53:12 (A Major Passage on the 1st Coming of the suffering Messiah) The Suffering and Glory of the Servant 13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. 14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness— 15 so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. 53 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 61:1–2 (Fulfilled in Luke 4:18-19) 61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, Jeremiah 23:5–6 5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness. Vision and Prophecy of “the Son of Man” – a Special Name for the Messiah to come Daniel 7:13–14 13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Daniel 9:24–27 24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. 25 “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” Zechariah 6:12–13 12 Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. 13 It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’ Zechariah 9:9 The Coming of Zion’s King 9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 12:10 Mourning for the One They Pierced 10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. Zechariah 13:7 The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered 7 “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones. Acts 13:26–27 26 “Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Paul’s Message including the background of Jewish and Messianic History in the Synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia Acts 13:13–45 13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.” 16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, 18 he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, 19 he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. “After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ 23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’ 26 “Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. 32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’ 34 The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ 35 So it is stated elsewhere: “‘You will not let your Holy One see decay.’ 36 “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. 38 “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 41“‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’” 42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.

Grasping the Messiah

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

Why do Christians have such an emphasis on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter?

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a critical, key event for us to comprehend life after death and the power of our Savior and Lord, but the primary purpose of the Resurrection is for the Identification and Acceptance of God’s Messiah. We can marvel in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but miss God’s reason for the Resurrection – to reveal His only Son, the Messiah to the world, so that they can be saved through His death and resurrection!

“Let me build three commemorative tabernacles” - Peter

Remember when Jesus took three of His disciples up to a high mountain and was transfigured before them? What was Peter’s response? What did God the Father say to Peter’s response? What should have been Peter’s response?

Matthew 17:1–8

17After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters (tabernacles)—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

Another response that was totally human was that Israel’s desire for a Messiah was related to overcoming their current political system. The Israelites wanted an immediate King to be their Messiah. They could not seem to comprehend how their Messiah would provide Salvation for their sins, so they could be with their King for eternity!

Whenever Paul preached, he preached that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, prophesied from the beginning of time. He suffered and died to take the punishment of our sin, and was raised again, conquering sin and death, as a confirmation that He is the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, KING of kings and LORD of lords.

Acts 17:1–3

17 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said.

1. Paul Reasoned with them from the Scriptures about the Messiah

a. Explaining

b. Proving

Why did Paul have to continually reason and prove Jesus to the Jewish people?

· The Israelites were looking for their Messiah to immediately establish His Kingdom and overthrow the government of the Roman Empire. They did not expect their Messiah to come to suffer and die for the sins of the world – although the prophets also foretold the Suffering of the Messiah. They could not comprehend how this would all happen, so they focused their understanding on their Messiah’s coming Kingdom and their sharing in His coming glory.

Having a Position in Christ’s Kingdom was on the minds of those in Christ’s inner circle:

Matthew 20:20–21

A Mother’s Request

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

21 “What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

Even following Christ’s Resurrection, one of the subjects they were most interested in was the overthrowing of Rome’s Government and the establishment of Christ’s:

Acts 1:6

6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Jesus’ followers struggled with the concept of the redemptive nature of Jesus’ Coming:

Luke 24:25–26

25 He (Jesus) said to them (the two on the road to Emmaus, following Jesus’ resurrection), “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”

The Jewish People wanted their Messiah’s Kingdom Now!

Do you think that Paul could have gotten more Jewish converts if he had preached that Jesus was going to set up His Kingdom right away and overthrow the tyranny of the Roman Empire oppressing the Jewish people at that time?

Earthly Kingdom Mentality

Sometimes people accept Jesus and expect Him to transform their current negative issues – somewhat similar to what the Jews wanted in their deliverance from the political powers of Rome.

· The Need to have all the benefits of a great kingdom now.

· Needing Jesus to transform us to positions of power and blessing - to sit at His right or left

in His Kingdom.

· Jesus’ response… “Can you drink of the cup that I drink?” (the cup of suffering)

(Matt. 20:22)

If Paul had preached the message of Christ gaining immediate political power, how would that affect the forgiveness of sins and redemption for generations following the overthrow of the Roman Empire in A.D. 478? A political victory would have been meaningless for mankind’s eternal salvation unless there was just payment for their sins, whereby an individual could be justified before a Holy God!

· The Israelites were looking for Elijah to appear and prepare people’s hearts “before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.”

Malachi 4:5–6

5 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

· They did not expect John the Baptist, who came in the spirit and power of Elijah – (Luke 1:17), to fulfill the prophetic word concerning the preparing the way before the Suffering Messiah.

· So we see there were two parts to the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding Elijah’s coming.

1. John the Baptist prepared the way, in the spirit and power of Elijah, before the coming of the Suffering Savior and Messiah. (Matthew 17:9–13; Luke 1:11-17; 76-77)

2. Elijah (possibly one of the two “Witnesses” found in Rev. 11:3-13), coming before the “great and dreadful day of the LORD”.

Matthew 17:9–13 (After Jesus Transfiguration)

9 As they were coming down the mountain (where Jesus had been transfigured before them, and where He had spoken to Moses and Elijah), Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. (See Luke 1:11-17; 76-77)

Luke 1:76–77 (Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father’s prophecy, at John’s birth)

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins…

Matthew 3:1–3

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the desert,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’ ” (See Isaiah 40:3-4)

Elijah Mentality

· If Elijah has not come, the Jewish scribes would argue, then the Messiah has not come. (Rejection of Christ as the Biblical Messiah by not comprehending the authority from which John the Baptist came.)

· Establishing Elijah/Moses/or someone else, in a position to whom we give authority rather than the Messiah and His Holy Spirit.

The Jewish People had lost the perspective of the reality of Christ’s Suffering and Death, in their great desire to see only their conquering King as a just, powerful, and eternal Ruler, not a Suffering Savior. They could not perceive the critical need for a perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Paul Reasoned with them about the Messiah’s Suffering

1. The Messiah – “the Christ,” had to Suffer

· Jesus repeatedly told His disciples that He was going to suffer and die, but it was hard for them to grasp the concept that the Messiah had to first pay the penalty for the sins.

Isaiah 53:4-6

4 Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all. (See End Notes for additional Scripture)

Paul Reasoned with them about the Messiah’s Rising from the Dead

2. The Messiah Rose from the Dead (see additional verses in End Notes)

Psalm 16:9–10

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will rest secure,

10 because you will not abandon me to the grave,

nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

Luke 24:6–7

6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”

Luke 24:44–47

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 9:22

22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

3. Paul Declared to them that Jesus was the Messiah

“This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ!”

Paul reasoned with those who knew the books of Moses and the Old Testament Scripture about the reality of Jesus being the promised Messiah. Paul’s premise was of Jesus’ Suffering and Resurrection. (See End Notes)

At Easter we focus on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in all of its glorious wonder!

We can focus on how Christ’s Resurrection broke the power of sin, death, and the Hope of eternal life, which gives assurance for all who put their faith in Christ.

But the real reason for the Resurrection encompasses these things, but there is still a greater reason:

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ authenticates and substantiates the rightful identity of the Messiah.

Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead.

‘This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ’”…. Acts 17:2b–3

Our Problem with “Hearing” - How do we receive God’s Word?

Various aspects of “Hearing”

a. Hearing without Comprehension

b. Hearing with Negative Bias

c. Hearing without Need

d. Hearing with Perception

e. Hearing which brings Salvation

Comprehending and Accepting the Messiah

Grasping the Messiah

· Rejoicing in His Suffering, Death and Resurrection!

· Trusting in Jesus Christ, not something else, or on what we can “do”, for our eternal

Salvation

· Relying on Him for the needs of our life – crying out to Him, waiting on Him, trusting Him.

· Building the foundation of our life on His “Rock”, rather than the world’s “sand”. (Matt. 7:24-27)

____________________________________

End Notes

1.Reasoning: The Reasoning Mind

a. Perspectives of Deception

b. Perspectives of Truth

2. The Messiah: The Suffering and Risen Messiah

a. The Jewish People had lost the understanding of the reality of Christ’s Suffering and Death, in their great desire to see only their conquering King and Just Ruler.

b. The Universal Need for Spiritual Redemption

i. Reasons for our existence from an inquiring mind

ii. Reasons for an eternal perspective

1. Eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

iii. Reasons from authentication of thousands of years of prophetic

fulfillment.

1. If, for thousands of years there had been specific declarations proclaiming a coming Messiah, from a multitude of ancient credible sources, and if these predictions had all been fulfilled to the letter (not “in general”, or “somewhat fulfilled”), then there is reason to honestly consider their accuracy, truthfulness, and compelling substance.

a. The Messiah’s Suffering

b. The Messiah’s Death

c. The Reason for the Messiah’s Suffering and Death – Deliverance and Redemption from the guilt, accountability and judgment for our sin against God and our inclusion in His Eternal Kingdom.

d. The Messiah’s Resurrection, with its Defeat of Sin and Death

e. The Messiah’s Eternal Reign

c. The Universal Need for Relationship

i. Relational acceptance and understanding

1. Love and Respect

2. Security

3. Mutual meaning

ii. Relational intimacy

iii. Relational continuity

iv. Hope for Eternal Relationship with God

1. If all we have in this life is selfish and terminal then there is no reason for the reality of:

a. Justice

b. Hope for eternal life

c. Secure and enduring love

d. Compassion

e. Respect for others, etc., etc.

d. Jesus: Jesus Christ, the Messiah

Hearing and Seeing: The Hearing Ear and Perceptive Heart

“He who has ears to hear let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15)

Various aspects of “Hearing” - How do we perceive God’s Word?

a. Hearing without Comprehension

b. Hearing with Negative Bias

c. Hearing without Need

d. Hearing with Perception

e. Hearing with Salvation

Comprehending and Accepting the Messiah

“Grasping the Messiah”

Jesus, the Messiah, suffered and was raised again from the dead. This has happened to no one else in the history of the world, as it did of Jesus; therefore, Jesus is THE CHRIST, God’s Son, God’s Messiah for the sinful human race.

Jesus told His disciples many times of His coming suffering and death…yet, when it came, they could not comprehend it.

Matthew 17:22–23

22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

Mark 9:30–31

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”

Hebrews 2:9–10

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Hebrews 12:1–2

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Peter 1:10–11

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

Acts 3:18

18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.

Moses, who authored, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the first five books of the Old Testament, wrote of the Coming Messiah as our Suffering Savior, Redeemer and, following His Second Coming: Eternal King

Genesis 3:15 (The LORD cursing the serpent who deceived Eve)

15 And I will put enmity

between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and hers;

he will crush your head,

and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 12:3 (God blessed Abraham and through him a blessing would come on all the peoples of the earth)

3 I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

will be blessed through you.” (This blessing is ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah)

Numbers 21:7–9

7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

John 3:14–15 (Spoken of by Jesus, when discussing salvation with Nicodemus)

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

Numbers 24:17

17 “I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near.

A star will come out of Jacob;

a scepter will rise out of Israel.

He will crush the foreheads of Moab,

the skulls of all the sons of Sheth.

John 1:45–46

45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

John 5:45–46

45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.

“All the Prophets”

2 Samuel 7:12–16 (Nathan the Prophet speaking to King David about his enduring kingdom – not only through his immediate sons, but through the Eternal Messianic King in his future posterity.)

12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ”

Isaiah 7:14

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6–7

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.

The Suffering Savior

Isaiah 50:6

6 I offered my back to those who beat me,

my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;

I did not hide my face

from mocking and spitting.

Isaiah 52:13–53:12 (A Major Passage on the 1st Coming of the suffering Messiah)

The Suffering and Glory of the Servant

13 See, my servant will act wisely;

he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him—

his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man

and his form marred beyond human likeness—

15 so will he sprinkle many nations,

and kings will shut their mouths because of him.

For what they were not told, they will see,

and what they have not heard, they will understand.

53 Who has believed our message

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,

and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

Like one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,

yet he did not open his mouth;

he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.

And who can speak of his descendants?

For he was cut off from the land of the living;

for the transgression of my people he was stricken.

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,

and with the rich in his death,

though he had done no violence,

nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,

and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering,

he will see his offspring and prolong his days,

and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

11 After the suffering of his soul,

he will see the light of life and be satisfied;

by his knowledge my righteous

servant will justify many,

and he will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,

and he will divide the spoils with the strong,

because he poured out his life unto death,

and was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many,

and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 61:1–2 (Fulfilled in Luke 4:18-19)

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

Jeremiah 23:5–6

5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,

“when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,

a King who will reign wisely

and do what is just and right in the land.

6 In his days Judah will be saved

and Israel will live in safety.

This is the name by which he will be called:

The Lord Our Righteousness.

Vision and Prophecy of “the Son of Man” – a Special Name for the Messiah to come

Daniel 7:13–14

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Daniel 9:24–27

24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.

25 “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

Zechariah 6:12–13

12 Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. 13 It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’

Zechariah 9:9

The Coming of Zion’s King

9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!

Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

righteous and having salvation,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 12:10

Mourning for the One They Pierced

10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Zechariah 13:7

The Shepherd Struck, the Sheep Scattered

7 “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,

against the man who is close to me!”

declares the Lord Almighty.

“Strike the shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered,

and I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Acts 13:26–27

Paul’s Message including the background of Jewish and Messianic History in the Synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia

Acts 13:13–45

13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.”

16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, 18 he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, 19 he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years.

“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

26 “Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:

“‘You are my Son;

today I have become your Father.’

34 The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words:

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’

35 So it is stated elsewhere:

“‘You will not let your Holy One see decay.’

36 “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

38 “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

41“‘Look, you scoffers,

wonder and perish,

for I am going to do something in your days

that you would never believe,

even if someone told you.’”

42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.