Many Jews today would argue that their Messiah has never come. They would say that he has yet to fulfill the prophesies of the Old Testament. Those who are still orthodox look each year for his arrival. The rest are, by and large, so far beyond hoping for his arrival that they are atheistic, or at least apathetic. So, has the Messiah come? Shouldn’t his own people be the ones we can trust in this matter? Are they right?
At the beginning of the New Testament, which claims that he has come, we find four witnesses who say that Jesus has indeed arrived already. All four tell us of a very particular indecent in the life of Jesus. Without this, it would be nigh impossible to prove the identity of the Messiah. With it, Jews must ignore much to overlook the facts.
Matthew’s Messiah came in accordance with prophecy. He is the Jew’s Messiah.
Matthew, in his account of the event, is careful to mention that Jesus entry into Jerusalem very specifically fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy. In Zechariah 9:9 some specifics concerning the Messiah’s arrival are mentioned. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem matches this in every respect. The people rejoice over him. Some realized that he is the King. Salvation of the lost was a characteristic point of Christ’s teaching. His justness and meekness were well established. Both an ass and the foal of an ass were involved in his entry into the city. Matthew was thoroughly convinced that this Jesus was the Jewish Messiah.
Mark’s Messiah came on an unbridled colt. He is creation’s Messiah.
Mark, a gentile, concerned himself with a great theme in relation to this event in the life of Jesus. He shows that Jesus is the Lord of creation. He tells us that the disciples were questioned concerning their loosing of the colt. The term ‘Lord’ here applied to Christ is a title of the Messiah. Jesus himself quoted Psalm 110:1 on another occasion, pointing out this special title.
More than this, Jesus’ title is proven by his riding on the colt. A literal fulfillment of Psalm 8 is here before Mark. Jesus could never have ridden upon this animal had he been an ordinary man. Only the Messiah of all creation would have this power. Under him the unbridled, stubborn, young donkey was as tame as the most well-trained domesticated pet. Doubtlessly, Mark saw Jesus as the Messiah of creation.
Luke’s Messiah came on just the right day. He is history’s Messiah.
Luke, ever the exacting record keeper, is very scientific about his account. He records Jesus’ words about the ‘day’ which the Jews should have recognized to be very important. Indeed, God had already, through the mouth of that great prophet, Daniel, made the time of the Messiah’s arrival quite clear. Daniel 9:24-27, upon close study, delineates a waiting period between 444 B.C. in the month of Nisan, and AD 33 in the same month. Any student of history, prophecy, and mathematics could easily see that Jesus entry into Jerusalem at that particular time was undeniable evidence of his identity. Luke was convinced that Jesus is the historical Messiah.
John’s Messiah came for the whole world. He is mankind’s Messiah.
John is perhaps the most understandable of all the witnesses. His approach to Christ is very human, and yet betrays an understanding of the Divine that only human weakness could bring one to need. Jesus confounded the religious leaders as the ‘whole world’ came his way. Even the Greeks began to seek the Truth pouring forth from the person of Jesus Christ. It is this appeal to all of mankind that excited John. John was totally dedicated to the notion that Jesus is the Messiah for all of mankind. He is the Savior of the world.
In order to believe that the Messiah has not yet arrived, one must completely and totally ignore the mountain of evidence stacked next to the only person in history who could possibly have been the Messiah. So the question must be asked, has your Messiah come? Are you still waiting as some are today? Or have you, like so many others, given up hope that he will ever come?