Why Jesus Christ Was Rejected As Messiah

Ancient Jews were expecting their Messiah at a time when the religious and political climate was hostile, as the Romans ruled over Palestine. Jesus and his family lived in the town of, ‘Nazareth’ situated in the north of Palestine.

Many Jews were expecting the promised Messiah, who was predicted long ago in Jewish scripture, known as,’ The Talmud.’ They believed that this Messiah was going to have superiority over the angels, he was going to be greater than Moses, he was going to be a man of suffering, and be one who would experience a violent death and finally, he would restore Israel.

They believed in the pre-existence and divinity of the coming Messiah, an eternal being originating from heaven. Their understanding of the coming messiah’s origins and divinity line up with Christian faith and biblical scripture found in John 1.

In a brief explanation below, using only a few key points from the bible, is my attempt to sum up why they rejected Jesus as their Messiah.

1. Their Understanding of Sin

The Jewish Rabbis did not believe in the original sin. They believed that all humans enter the world innocent and free from sin. Thus, they didn’t believe in ‘inherent sin’ and much less did they accept mankind’s need for a suffering saviour.

They also taught about man having two impulses or ‘temptations’ that are either; good or evil, believing that man can overcome the temptation by exercising self-control.  Contrary to the Christian faith, they believed that mankind isn’t responsible for their own sin, due to being ‘created this way‘ by God. This ultimately makes God responsible for our sin.

The Hebrew word for ‘sin’ is ‘chet’ which literally means, ‘missing the mark.’

2. Jesus’ Preaching Rejected

Jesus was preaching about forgiveness of sin and repentance. Many Jews refused to acknowledge him as the Messiah, as Jesus was preaching a doctrine contrary to their beliefs and expectations. In their eyes he was far from being the ‘Messiah.’  The Rabbis and the Jewish people of the ancient world saw Jesus as being nothing more than a rebel or a, ‘blasphemer’ worthy of death. So they rejected him.

As foretold long ago in the old testament, even though Jesus performed many miracles and spoke with such great authority before their eyes, they recognised him not.  Isaiah 53:3

3. Jesus The Bread of Life

In the following metaphor to express his relationship with mankind as saviour of the world:  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty.”  John 6:35 -59

In using this metaphor Jesus was stating that he is the spiritual bread that brings eternal life. The Jews who were listening to him at the time understood clearly that Jesus was claiming himself to be deity and equal with God. In their ears the statement was blasphemy and they wanted Jesus dead for it.

4. The 7 ‘I am’ statements of Jesus – shown in the book of John

For any of the seven ‘I am’ statements below, Jesus used would have been blasphemy in the ears of the Jews as they knew God as ‘The Great I AM’ who spoke to Moses. So once again they rejected him.

1. I am the bread of life – 6:35, 48, 51
2. I am the light of the world – 8:12; 9:5
3. I am the door of the sheep –10:7, 9
4. I am the good shepherd – 10:11, 14
5. I am the resurrection and the life – 11:25
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life – 14:6
7. I am the true vine – 15

Not all of the Jews rejected Jesus. Those who have accepted Jesus as their messiah are known today as Messianic Jews who believe that Jesus is the ‘Son of God’ and part of the Godhead known as ‘The Trinity.’  In modern times, the Supreme Court of Israel, legally consider Messianic Judaism as a form of Christianity.

Jesus told the truth and fulfilled all bible prophecy from the time of his birth, to the way he lived and died, and rose from the grave. Jesus is who he says he is. To Christians the birth of Jesus symbolises; Hope in God’s faithfulness for keeping all of His promises, and it also represents His tremendous love for all mankind.

At Christmas time it’s good to reflect on these things, and give thanks to God who proved how much loves the world by sending His beloved son so that we may know Him.

Sandra Ciminelli
Cred. Couns. Dip. (Christian)

Sources

Bible.org –   Acclamations Birth of Christ – Luke 21-20

ThoughtCo.com – Do Jews Believe in Sin?

BibleGateway.com
www.biblehub.com
www.esv.org
Wikipedia – Messianic Judaism