Titles In first-century Judaism, titles for the Messiah were linked with the causes for hope which they expressed. Many of these titles came from the Old Testament and figures like Elijah and Moses became associated with messianic hope. In fact, Scott indicates that the appearance of Elijah and Moses “alongside Jesus the Messiah at the transfiguration would, for those who expected a number of eschatological figures, have confirmed the arrival of the final age.” (Scott, 309) Messiah The name Messiah (meaning the Anointed) was well-accepted, but many had trouble with the idea that he was going to “endure the suffering as the Servant of the Lord.” (Scott, 309) This name could be applied to any leader that was divinely appointed, but came to be most well known in terms of its relation to eschatology. Levitic Messiah Certain groups during the Intertestamental Period hoped for a Messiah that would come from the tribe of Levi. This expectation was for a Messiah king from the line of David. Included in this expectation was the thought that the Messiah would be priestly. Scott states that “several passages in the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs point toward the expectation of a priest leader from the tribe of Levi.” (Scott, 311) Son of Man Son of Man is the name for Messiah found in Daniel 7. Daniel 7:13-14 says, “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” This title is repeated in other extra-biblical texts. It is debated whether or not the title Messiah was the same person as the Son of Man before Jesus’ time. The Servant of the Lord The Servant of the Lord is often seen as the chosen one from the perspective of God, but is indeed one who suffers and is rejected by men. Isaiah 53 reveals that the Servant of the Lord will suffer in the place of others who have committed sin. This idea of a suffering servant is also seen in various Scriptures such as Luke 24, Acts 3, Psalm 22, Zechariah 11, and Ecclesiastes 2. Scott says that there is no evidence to “support the idea that at the time of Jesus there was a widespread expectation of messianic suffering.” (Scott, 318). Prophet Like Moses The name Prophet like Moses is linked with the warning against idols and magic found in Deuteronomy 18. Instead of idols and magic, this passage promises a Prophet that will communicate with God’s people. This led some groups to believe that “one particular prophet, another Moses, would come.” (Scott, 318) Elijah Some expected that Elijah would either be a forerunner of the Messiah or that he would be the Messiah himself. This is based on Malachi 4:5-6. Justin Martyr actually held that Elijah would become the Messiah. Other Names Other names included: the second Adam, Deliverer, Messiah of Israel, Chosen One, Savior, and Judge. Scott also mentions “the Righteous or Just One, the Branch, the Elect or Chosen One, the Son of God or of David, the Stone, and the Coming One.” (Scott, 319-320) Each name represented a hope or function of the coming Messiah. Titles Used in Early Christianity The titles that claim Jesus as the one who has saved people from sin are the ones that usually associated with early Christianity. This is affirmed in the New Testament writings, such as Matthew 1:21, which says that the Messiah will “save his people from their sins.” So, Messiah, Savior, and Deliverer were often used. This also led many to think about the role of Covenant. Carson points out that “if Jesus’ sacrifice dealt with our sin, then the role of the temple sacrifices could not go unchallenged. Christians were thus driven to think through their own relationship with the Mosaic covenant.” (Carson, 33) Significant Title If asked to share about Jesus by way of title, I would say that the most significant two titles to me are Second Adam or Savior. I rejoice with the Scripture in Romans 5:12-15, which says the following: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— 13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! The long story version of this hope in Christ is that he is the second Adam, that he restored the relationship that the first Adam ruined. The short story version of this hope is that he is the Savior of the world, who is the most significant figure in salvation history. How great it is to link these names with the reason that we have for hope in Him! Bibliography Carson, D.A. and Moo, Douglas J. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005. Scott, J. Julius. Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1995. -Pastor Tyler
Posted on: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 00:19:24 +0000
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