✡️ Has the Messiah Come? A Message to my Jewish Friends
For generations, Israel has longed for the coming of their Messiah—a deliverer who would bring peace, restore Israel, and establish righteousness. This hope is not a Christian idea; it is deeply Jewish, rooted in the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. But what if the Messiah has already come? What if the Scriptures themselves point to Jesus of Nazareth as the one foretold?
This post is not about abandoning Jewish identity. It’s about fulfilling it. It’s about seeing the promises of God come to life—not in contradiction to Judaism, but in its prophetic fulfillment.
Messianic Prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures
Let’s begin with the credentials of the Messiah according to Tanakh:
- Born in Bethlehem
Micah 5:2 – “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah... out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.”
Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1), fulfilling this prophecy precisely. - From the line of David
Jeremiah 23:5–6 – “I will raise unto David a righteous Branch... and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
Jesus’ genealogy traces through David (Matthew 1:1), and He is called “Lord” and “Righteous.” - A suffering servant who bears sin
Isaiah 53 – “He was wounded for our transgressions... with his stripes we are healed.”
Jesus was crucified, bearing the sins of many (1 Peter 2:24). This chapter is often avoided in synagogue readings, yet it is one of the clearest portraits of the Messiah’s suffering. - Pierced hands and feet
Psalm 22:16 – “They pierced my hands and my feet.”
Jesus was nailed to the cross (John 20:27), fulfilling this vivid description. - Riding on a donkey
Zechariah 9:9 – “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee... lowly, and riding upon an ass.”
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:5), in direct fulfillment. - Cut off before the destruction of the Second Temple
Daniel 9:26 – “Messiah shall be cut off... and the people of the prince shall come and destroy the city and the sanctuary.”
Jesus was crucified around 30 CE; the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. The timing fits perfectly.
Common Objections—and Scriptural Responses
- Objection 1: “The Messiah was supposed to bring peace.” Yes—but Isaiah 53 shows He must first suffer and die. Peace will come in His second coming. The prophets speak of both suffering and glory (see Zechariah 12:10 and Isaiah 9:6–7).
- Objection 2: “Jesus didn’t rebuild the Temple.” True—but He spoke of His body as the Temple (John 2:19–21), and He will fulfill this promise in the future (Ezekiel 40–48).
- Objection 3: “The Messiah must help Israel follow Torah.” Jesus fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17) and offered righteousness through faith—just as Abraham was justified by faith (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3).
- Objection 4: “Messiah must be a human, not divine.” Isaiah 9:6 calls the Messiah “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father.” Psalm 110:1 shows David’s Lord seated at God’s right hand. The Messiah is both human and divine.
I don’t share these things lightly. My hope is that as you consider how Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled these Scriptures, you’ll begin to see not a foreign figure, but the very Messiah your faith has waited for.
Still, I know this raises questions—important ones. So, I'd like to walk through some of those concerns with you. Not with arguments, but with Scripture. Not to win a debate, but to point toward truth.
Common Questions Raised
- “Why didn’t Jesus bring world peace?” He will—but in two stages. The prophets speak of both a suffering Messiah and a reigning King. Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 12:10 describe His first coming in humility and suffering. Isaiah 9:6–7 and Micah 4:1–4 describe His second coming in glory and peace. The suffering servant precedes the conquering King.
- “Why do Christians say Jesus is divine?” Because the Tanakh hints at it. Isaiah 9:6 calls the Messiah “Mighty God.” Psalm 110:1 shows David calling the Messiah “my Lord,” seated at God’s right hand. Zechariah 12:10 says God Himself will be pierced. These aren’t Christian inventions—they’re Jewish prophecies.
- “Isn’t belief in Jesus' idolatry?” Not if He is who the Scriptures say He is. If the Messiah is both human and divine—as Isaiah and the Psalms suggest—then trusting Him is not idolatry, but obedience to God’s revelation.
- “Why didn’t more Jews believe in Him?” Many did. All of Jesus’ first followers were Jews. Thousands believed in Acts 2–4. But others expected a political deliverer, not a suffering Savior. The same Scriptures they read were fulfilled—but not in the way they expected.
The Gospel According to the Hebrew Scriptures
Paul, a Pharisee and expert in Torah, wrote:
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.” – Romans 3:21
This righteousness is not earned—it’s received by faith. Just as Abraham believed and was counted righteous (Genesis 15:6), so we are invited to believe in the Messiah who died and rose again.
“He was wounded for our transgressions... and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
“Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” – Psalm 16:10
These are not Christian verses—they are Jewish Scriptures. And they point to Jesus.
A Loving Invitation to Seek and Believe
Dear friend, this is not about religion—it’s about truth. The Messiah has come. He fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. He died for our sins. He rose again. And He offers eternal life to all who believe.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” – Acts 16:31
You don’t need to abandon your heritage—you need to fulfill it. Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. The Scriptures testify of Him. And He is waiting for you to come.
