The Messiah

If you glanced at Matthew chapter 1 yet, were you able to catch how many times "Messiah" appeared? Messiah appeared three times in the New International Version. Messiah is the Hebrew version of "Anointed One," Christ is the Greek version. This one name gives us a peak into the divine nature of this infant child we are expecting to arrive. His life was anointed long before He was born.

We find one of the earliest prophetic words about the Messiah, known as "messianic prophecy," coming true from Deuteronomy 18:15, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him." Matthew is writing to the Jews and letting them know Jesus is the promised Messiah. This matters to the Jews because they were waiting for His arrival for a long time. Matthew is making sure they know from the get go, Jesus is the One they have been waiting for and expecting! He even proves His Jewish lineage, making Him credible for such a role as the Messiah. This infant is so anointed that He was prophecied about approximately 1401 years before He was born! The promise God gave Abraham years before in Genesis 17:7 was, "I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." Paul speaks of Jesus' fulfilling this promise to Abraham in Galatians 3:15, " 'The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.' " It is important to understand the Messiah's arrival meant God fulfilled His promise to His people and that through Him, the nations and generations that follow would be blessed.

You may wonder why this matters to us at all today. Well, think of the broken promises you have experienced in your life. There is a huge difference in the relationship when someone promised to give you something but you're still waiting for it compared to someone who followed through. You know now, with no doubt, you can not only trust this person, but his or her word is true; it will be done as stated. You don't have to wonder if she will come pick you up for your doctor appointment next week, or fear that she will never talk to you again. The same is true of God. For us to see that God fulfilled this promise allows us to trust Him and know His word is true. It should pull us into intimacy just a little bit more because we can be confident that He will follow through for us as well.

Another reason why this matters, perhaps the greatest reason, is that the messianic prophecy that Jesus is fulfilling is a promise for "the generations to come"--we are part of this! Jesus was anointed, or chosen with divine appointment, for us and all the generations to come! This baby's life had an important purpose long before His arrival to bless the generations to come. As a result of this, we should be eager to experience this symbolic arrival every year. Without Jesus' fulfilling so many promises, we would not be able to unpack just exactly what the blessings we would receive through Him are. This one life has an impact on the world far beyond his existence on earth, which is incredible when you think about it.

Today's Name: Messiah

Reflection Questions

1) What comes to mind when you think of "Messiah" or "Anointed One"?

2) How many times has God fulfilled a promise to you in your life? Have you experienced Him as trustworthy?

3) We have all had moments where we conclude God did not come through. Think of a time where you felt this way. Sit down with the Lord and ask Him, "Where were You in this story? Where were you when all I saw was you not coming through?" Wait in silence and listen to whatever He would tell you. Feel free to note this in a journal. If you get nothing initially, revisit it until you receive a response. This takes practice, but He will respond.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for fulfilling a promise for all of us. Show me where You were in the moments where it seems you didn't come through. Help me see that You're the One I can trust always. Meet me on this journey as I get to know You more. In Your name, Amen.