The Messiah

The Hebrew word for Messiah is Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ), meaning “anointed one.” In Jewish tradition, anointing with oil was a ritual that elevated individuals designated for specific roles, such as priests, kings, or even prophets like Elisha.

The Messiah in Judaism possesses the characteristics of a priest, a prophet, and a king. He will transform the world according to God’s will: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:6-9).

In the Old Testament, the Messiah is referred to as the “servant of God,” a suffering servant (Isaiah 53:4-5), and a descendant of David who will be a king like David. He will have miraculous power, conquer Israel’s enemies, build God’s eternal kingdom, and be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6-7). He will also execute righteous judgment on the last day. Yet, he is also humble and gentle (Zechariah 9:9). Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would give people new life and strength, transforming their “weak” and “faint” condition, and would “heal the blind and deaf,” the “lame and mute.”

In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the Messiah, also called the Christ (the Greek word for Messiah). Jesus’ life almost completely fulfills the Old Testament prophecies. He is a descendant of David, and the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him. He performed great miracles and healed the “blind, deaf, lame, and mute” (Matthew 11:5; Mark 7:37; Luke 7:22), confirming His identity as the Messiah. He brought God’s eternal kingdom and will execute judgment on the last day (Matthew 25:31-32). He is called the Prince of Peace (Matthew 5:39). Jesus suffered for all sinners and was rejected by both Israel and the Jewish people (Luke 17:25). We don’t know when He will return, so “Therefore stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42).

The Messiah of Judaism is characterized by a strong sense of nationalism and an earthly nature. However, the kingdom of Jesus Christ is an eternal, heavenly kingdom. Though it began with Israel, it includes people from all nations. Jesus Christ was rejected by the Jews and Israel. The New Testament reveals to us that “Jesus is the Christ, who is the Messiah.” “The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am he'” (John 4:25-26).

Edited and compiled based on the Chinese Union Version Bible and Comprehensive Biblical Interpretation.