Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the NET, netbible.org, all rights reserved)

He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is translated Christ).
John 1:41 (emphasis added)

We NEED a Messiah. We know we can’t do it alone and only the Anointed One of Elohim can do it. But there have been several people throughout history who have called themselves Messiah or who have had the title thrust upon them. What is it that qualifies one to be Messiah? What are the criteria? How will we know we’ve got the One and Only True Messiah?

Messiah would be the seed of a human woman, a young woman, a virgin young woman. His heel would be wounded. He would bruise the head of the devil. He would bodily ascend to Heaven. He would be the seed of Abraham. He would bless all nations. He would be a descendant of Shem, but also be the God of Shem. He would be THE promise of the seed of Abraham. He would be a priest of the Melchizedek Order. He would be the King of Peace and Righteousness. He would be the seed of Isaac. He would be the promised lamb of Elohim. He would be the promised Redeemer. He would be the bridge to Heaven. He would be the seed of Jacob. He would be the seed of Judah. He would be called Shiloh (the One Sent). People would obey Him. He would be the lamb presented to Israel before Passover. He would be an unblemished lamb. His blood as that lamb would be shed. He would BE Passover. Not a bone of His would be broken. He would be lifted up. He would be the Great I AM.
Holiness would be His character. He would be the Spiritual Rock of Israel. Mercy would be His character. As a sign of His priesthood, He would heal lepers. He would suffer outside the camp. His blood would be the life of the flesh. He would be a prophet. He would be the serpent on the pole. His blood would atone. He would be poured out like a drink offering. He would be sent by the Father to speak His Word. He would be cursed (hung from a tree). He would be the Captain of our Salvation. He would be our kinsman. He would be anointed King to the Lord. He would be David’s seed. He would be the Son of God. He would establish David’s house. He would reign on David’s throne. Elohim would be His Father, and He would be God’s Son. He would mediate between God and man. He would be resurrected to life. He would earn the enmity of kings. He would own the title ‘king’. He would be declared the Beloved Son. Life would come through trust in Him. The mouth of babies would perfect His praise. He would be humiliated. He would be exalted. He would not see corruption. He would arise from the dead. He would be forsaken because of the sins of others, not His own. There would be darkness at His place of death for three hours. He would be born the Saviour. His death would be sought by others. His blood would be poured out when they pierced His side. He would suffer agony on Calvary. He would thirst. They would pierce His hands and feet. They would strip Him in public. His clothes would be divided. He would commit Himself to Elohim.

He would finish the work of Elohim. He would be the Good Shepherd. His acquaintances would flee from Him. His enemies would take counsel to put Him to death. He would trust in God. False witnesses would rise up against Him. He would be hated, but without cause. His friends would stand far off. His enemies would try and entangle Him with craftiness. He would be silent before His accusers. He would go about doing good. There would be joy at His resurrection. He would delight in doing the Father’s Will. He would preach righteousness in Israel. He would be confronted by adversaries in the Garden. He would be betrayed by a familiar friend. He would speak words of Grace. He would own the title ‘Elohim’. He would carry a special anointing (up to that point) of Ruach HaKodesh. He would be called Messiah by others. No enemy would betray Him, only a friend. The death of that betrayer would be a death in unrepented-ness. He would give gifts to humans. He would be descended from Heaven. He would be hated without cause. He would be a stranger even to His own brethren. He would be zealous for the Lord’s House (the Temple). He would be anguished in His soul prior to the crucifixion. His soul would be exceedingly sorrowful.

When He thirsted, He would be given vinegar. He would be the Saviour given, but also smitten by Elohim. Great persons were to visit Him. He would be the kernel of wheat which fell into the Ground. Belief in His Name would produce offspring. All nations would call Him Blessed. He would teach in parables. He would speak the wisdom of Elohim with authority. He would be the Man of Elohim’s Right Hand. He would be the Suffering and the Reproach of Calvary. He would be firstborn. His character would be faithfulness. He would be from everlasting. His messianic title would be used to tempt Him. His character would be goodness. He would be the pre-existent Son. He would be ridiculed. He would be the Son of Man. He would pray for His enemies. Since His betrayer would die, another would take the betrayer’s place. He would ascend to the right hand of the Father. His character would be compassionate and gracious. He would be the rejected stone. He would come to Earth while the Temple still stood. The supremacy of David’s seed would amaze kings. He would have an earthly ministry. He would send the Spirit of Elohim. He would be the altogether lovely One. He would be the repentance of the nations. He would BE the parable of the vineyard. Isaiah would see His glory. His parables would fall on deaf ears. The people would be blinded to His Anointing as Messiah and deaf to His words. He would be called Emmanuel. He would be a rock of offence, a stone for stumbling. His ministry would begin in Galilee. He would be a child born – He would inhabit humanity. He would be a Son given – divine nature. He would be declared to be the Son of God with power.

He would be wonderful. He would be a counsellor. He would be Mighty God. He would be the father of eternity. He would be the prince of peace. His character would be Just. He would be called a Nazarene. He would be a rod out of Jesse. He would be the Anointed One by Ruach HaKodesh. His character would be wisdom and understanding. His character would be Truth. Gentiles would seek Him. He would be Merciful. He would be a peg in a sure place. He would be called salvation (Yeshua). He pointed out the hypocritical obedience to His Word. The wise would be confused by His words. He would be a refuge. He would be Son of the Highest. He would come to save us. He would have a ministry of miracles. He would be preceded by a forerunner. As a shepherd, He would be a compassionate life-giver. He would be a servant – a faithful and patient redeemer. He would be meek and lowly. He would bring hope for the hopeless. The nations would wait on His teachings. He would have world-wide compassion. He would be the Light of the Gentiles. He would open blind eyes. He would be the ONLY Saviour. He would be the First and Last. He would come as a teacher.

He would be called from the womb – showing His humanity. He would be a servant from the womb. He would be the salvation of Israel. When His humiliation came upon Him, heaven would be clothed in black. He would be a learned counsel for the weary. He would be a servant bound willingly to obedience. He would give His back to the smiters. He would be struck on the cheeks. He would be spat on. He would suffer vicariously. He would publish good tidings of peace (preach the Gospel). He would be a servant exalted, faithful, and shockingly abused. Nations would be startled by His servant’s message. He would shed His blood to atone for all. His people would not believe Him. He would be ordinary. He would have great sorrow and grief. Men would hide their association with Him. He would have a healing ministry. He would bear the sins of humanity. He would be thought to be cursed by Elohim. He would bear the penalty for humanity’s transgressions. His sacrifice would provide peace between Elohim and humanity. It would be Elohim’s will He bear the sin. His back would be whipped. He would be oppressed and afflicted, confined and persecuted, judged, killed, and He would die for humanity. He would be buried in a rich man’s grave. He would be innocent, having done no violence. No deceit would be in His mouth. He would prosper. Elohim would be FULLY satisfied with His suffering. He would justify humanity before Elohim. He would be exalted because of His sacrifice. He would be grouped with criminals. He would intercede between Elohim and humanity. Everyone who was thirsty could come to Him. He would be a witness. He would be the only Intercessor between Elohim and humanity. He would come to Zion as their Redeemer.

Nations would walk in His Light. He would provide freedom from the bondage of sin and death. He would proclaim a period of Grace and be called by a new name. He would be a King who enters Jerusalem on a colt. He would be a vesture dipped in blood. He would be afflicted with the afflicted. He would BE Elohim. He would be both Elohim AND humanity. He would be born a king. There would be a massacre of infants. He would BE the New Covenant. He would be humble, but Elohim would exalt Him highly. He would be a stone cut without hands. His kingdom would be triumphant. His Kingdom would be for the Saints. He would make an end to sins. He would be holy. He would be announced to His people 483 years to the exact day after the decree to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. He would be killed before the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.). He would appear in a glorified state. He would flee to Egypt. He would defeat death. He would give the promise of the Spirit. His place of birth would be Bethlehem. He would visit the second Temple (516/350 BC to 70 AD). He would be a descendant of Zerubbabel. He would be the Lamb of the Throne. He would be priest and king. He would be greeted with rejoicing in Jerusalem.

He would be Just. At His coming, the leaders of Israel would be unfit to rule. Rejection of Him would cause Elohim to remove His protection from Israel. He would be rejected in favour of another king. He would have a ministry to the poor. His forerunner would be in the Spirit of Elijah. He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver – a servant’s price. He would be pierced. His death would be an equivalent death in place of humanity. Israel would be scattered because of their rejection of Messiah.

That’s some list. There are over 300 different scriptures prophesying these characteristics and almost as many (because some prophecies were repeated several times to make sure Israel and Judah understood them) showing their fulfilment in Jesus. I haven’t listed here any of the future prophecies awaiting fulfilment in Him. If you study out the verses we’ve looked at this year in the daily affirmation of Jesus as Messiah, you’ll see beyond a doubt these characteristics are Messiah and how they were fulfilled ONLY in Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus was everlasting. The Word from Genesis 1 made flesh [probably during Sukkot (the seven day Feast of Tabernacles) between 6 and 4 BC] and dying for our sins on Friday, during the Feast of Passover, April the 3rd, 33AD on the Julian Calendar (which is why His birth is commemorated on Dec 25th, which was six months prior to His death – the custom when honouring a beloved teacher whose birthday you may not know). Resurrected to life three (Jewish) days later, He lives today seated at the Right Hand of the Father.

This is the eternal Saviour who has All Authority. This is He who released healing. Who released salvation by paying the price for sin. This is the One whose Covenant we walk in. This is the One whom we cooperate with. This is the One to whom we submit in humbleness. Loving the One who Loves us so very much. When you look at who He IS. The role He inhabits. The lengths He went for us. When you really, truly SEE Him, your trust will be encouraged. When you hear that message, your trust will be strengthened and deepened. When you begin to rely on Jesus as Messiah, the Father as your Source, Ruach HaKodesh as your teacher, counsellor, and guide; then you will start to see the arrival of His Blessings in your life. Praise Him for it. Never stop. This is the TRUTH. And the TRUTH will set you free (John 8:31-32) as the Father sanctifies you with it (John 17:17).

Jesus IS Messiah. Why settle for less than what He’s bringing with Him? Why look for less than what He says is available to you in Him? This IS the day of receiving. This IS the day of the miraculous. They ARE happening in our lives today. Jesus IS the answer and Jesus lives inside us. His NAME swells inside us and fills us up. Receive it. Believe it. Trust in it. Praise Him for it. And begin walking in it. Whole, healed, nothing missing, nothing broken, and abundant in a life founded and centred on Him. Remember that if Jesus is all these things, then these things are living in us. Jesus is inside of us. He brings with Himself all the blessings of the Kingdom. They are available. He brought them, we’re welcome to them, so enjoy the buffet. Believe it. Trust Him. Walk it out. Jesus IS Messiah and we can be BRAND NEW! Amen!

Daily Affirmation Jesus IS Messiah: Zechariah 13:7

““Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is my associate,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Strike the shepherd that the flock may be scattered; I will turn my hand against the insignificant ones.” Israel would be scattered because of their rejection of Messiah. When Israel rejected Messiah, Elohim removed His protection (Zechariah 11:4-6, 10-11). Because of that, they would be scattered when their enemies came. “Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written:‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all the disciples said the same thing. Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became anguished and distressed. Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup[f] pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done.” He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer is approaching!” While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. (Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him!”) Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and took hold of Jesus and arrested him. But one of those with Jesus grabbed his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels right now? How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?” At that moment Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet you did not arrest me. But this has happened so that the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled” (Matthew 26:31-56). Jesus’ disciples fleeing when the enemies of Jesus arrived was the shadow and type of what Israel experienced in 70AD when the temple was destroyed, Jerusalem sacked, and the nation broken up by the Romans and scattered. Jesus predicted it. It happened exactly as He said because they rejected Him as Messiah and Saviour. Jesus IS Messiah!

Your Daily Confession of Jesus/Yeshua’s Identity:

Yeshua is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:16b