The Messiah Revealed in Scripture and History
Humbleberger Ministries
Before We Begin
Have you ever spoken with a Christian about their faith? Maybe you know some, or maybe this is all new to you! Either way, you might have heard a little word called “the Gospel.” It’s a small word with a powerful message: the Good News that God loves you and has a plan to restore you to Him. We’re about to embark on a spiritual journey called “Encountering Messiah.” Curious about what Messiah means? In the Hebrew Scriptures, it simply means Anointed One—God’s chosen Redeemer. Let’s start this journey by exploring the heart of this Good News!
What is The Gospel?
In the beginning, God created a perfect world, but humanity fell into sin, breaking our relationship with Him (Genesis 1–3). Yet, God promised a Redeemer, Yeshua the Messiah, who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross to pay for our sins, and rose three days later, defeating Satan and proving His deity (Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). He ascended to heaven, commissioned His followers to share this Good News, and will return to renew all creation, bringing a new heaven and new earth (Acts 1:11; Revelation 21:1). This is the Gospel—God’s plan to restore us through Yeshua. This promise echoes in the ancient Scriptures, and we’ll explore how it comes to life. Hop on this journey, “Encountering Messiah,” to meet Yeshua personally. Let’s get started!
A Word from the Scriptures
The Gospel’s promise of a Redeemer was foretold centuries ago. Let the ancient words of the prophet Isaiah guide us as we begin. Written long before Yeshua’s birth, they paint a vivid picture of the Messiah’s mission. These words may stir your heart or even challenge you, but they invite you to discover the One who fulfills God’s promises. Take a moment to let this truth settle in as we prepare to explore Yeshua’s story together:
"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds."
(Isaiah 53:3,5)
Dear Friend, Who Is Yeshua?
Beloved, the question of the Messiah is the heartbeat of God’s plan for humanity. As Jewish people, you carry the sacred calling of God’s covenant, His Torah, and His promises. The Tanakh points to a singular Anointed One, and we proclaim with joy: Yeshua of Nazareth is that Messiah! Far from dividing, He fulfills Israel’s story, offering salvation to all through His life, death, and resurrection. Come, let us explore this truth together, rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures and confirmed in the New Testament.
The Messianic Hope: God’s Promise in the Tanakh
The Tanakh weaves a clear portrait of the Messiah:
- Seed of the Woman (Genesis 3:15): He crushes the serpent’s head, defeating sin.
- Son of Abraham (Genesis 12:3): Through Him, all nations are blessed.
- Lion of Judah (Genesis 49:10): The scepter of rule belongs to Him.
- Prophet Like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-19): He speaks God’s words with authority.
- Son of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16): His kingdom endures forever.
- Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53): He bears our sins, bringing healing by His wounds.
- Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5-6): He reigns with justice as King.
- Messenger of the Covenant (Malachi 3:1): He comes to the Temple before its destruction.
These prophecies converge on one Messiah—Yeshua, who alone fulfills them all.
Yeshua in History: The First-Century Fulfillment
In the first century, under Roman oppression, Israel longed for the Messiah. Into this world came Yeshua of Nazareth, a Jewish rabbi whose life, miracles, death, and resurrection are recorded in Jewish and Roman sources (Josephus, Tacitus, the Talmud) and the Gospels. He declared, “I have not come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). Yeshua is the culmination of Israel’s hope.
The Gospels: A Jewish Testimony to Yeshua
The Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are Jewish writings that proclaim Yeshua as Messiah.
Matthew: The King of Israel
Matthew reveals Yeshua as the promised Son of David and Son of Abraham:
- His genealogy traces to David and Abraham (Matthew 1:1-17).
- His virgin birth fulfills Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel.”
- His miracles echo Isaiah 35:5-6, healing the blind and lame.
- His teachings, like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), deepen the Torah, calling us to heart obedience.
Luke: The Savior of All
Luke shows Yeshua’s love for Israel and the nations:
- Simeon declares Him “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel” (Luke 2:32).
- He restores outcasts—lepers, sinners, and even a Roman centurion’s servant (Luke 7).
- His parables, like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), reveal God’s relentless grace.
- He weeps over Jerusalem’s rejection, longing to gather her (Luke 19:41-44).
John: The Divine Messiah
John proclaims Yeshua’s divine identity:
- “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:1-14).
- His “I AM” statements echo God’s name in Exodus 3:14.
- As the Lamb of God (John 1:29), He fulfills the Passover sacrifice (Exodus 12).
- His death at Passover and resurrection on the third day confirm He is the Messiah (Matthew 12:40).
The Cross: The Atonement Foretold
The cross is no defeat but the fulfillment of prophecy. Isaiah saw the Messiah’s suffering:
“He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities... by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Psalm 22:16-18 describes His crucifixion: “They pierced my hands and feet... they divide my garments.” Yeshua’s death is the ultimate Korban, the atoning sacrifice for sin, fulfilling the Torah’s demands once for all (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9-10).
The Resurrection: God’s Victory
Yeshua’s resurrection, witnessed by over 500 (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), proves His triumph over sin and death (Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14). It launches the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God writes His law on our hearts and forgives our sins forever.
The New Covenant: Israel’s Renewal
The New Covenant is God’s promise fulfilled:
“I will put My law within them, and I will write it on their hearts... I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
“I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit... I will put My Spirit within you.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
Yeshua seals this covenant, pouring out His Spirit on Shavuot (Pentecost, Acts 2), transforming hearts to follow God.
The First Jewish Believers: Finding the Messiah
Yeshua’s earliest followers were Jewish—Peter (Shimon), James (Yaakov), John (Yochanan), and Paul (Shaul), a Pharisee. They saw Yeshua as the fulfillment of the Tanakh:
“We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Yeshua of Nazareth.” (John 1:45)
Believing in Yeshua was not leaving Judaism but embracing its promised hope.
The Call: Trust Yeshua, the Messiah
Dear friend, Yeshua is the Messiah—Israel’s King, the Suffering Servant, the Prophet like Moses, and the Son of David. No one else in history matches the Tanakh’s prophecies. He alone lived perfectly, died for your sins, and rose to give you life.
We urge you: Turn to Yeshua today. Repent of sin and trust in His atoning sacrifice. As Romans 10:9 declares, “If you confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Ask God to reveal His Messiah to you, and find the peace only Yeshua brings.
Final Word: God’s Faithful Promise
God’s covenant with Israel endures. Yeshua is its fulfillment, ensuring God’s promises stand forever. One day, all Israel will see Him, as Zechariah 12:10 foretells: “They will look on Me, the One they have pierced.” Until then, His invitation is open: Come to Yeshua, the Messiah, and live.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.” (Revelation 3:20)
This is just the beginning! You’ve taken the first step on the “Encountering Messiah” journey, and there’s so much more to discover about Yeshua’s life, teachings, and love. Keep reading our series to dive deeper into the Scriptures, uncover the richness of God’s plan, and meet the Messiah who changes everything. Join us for the next chapter—your journey with Yeshua awaits! Shalom.