Israel’s Rejection of Jesus as Messiah
With only a brief dip into the pool of the Gospels, a perplexing dilemma emerges – why did the majority of Jesus’ own people reject his claim to be the Messiah? Even with miracles validating his messianic role, the paradoxical rejection remains a significant problem.
Moral Stubbornness and Intellectual Struggle
Moral stubbornness stands out as a fundamental cause of Jewish disbelief, marked by being “hard of heart” (John 12:37-40). However, an intellectual struggle complicates matters further – a belief that Jesus did not align with the anticipated fulfillment of Messianic prophecies.
Unraveling the Mystery of God’s Plan
The key to resolution lies in unraveling the mystery of God’s plan, particularly the nature of Old Testament prophecy. Often veiled in metaphorical language, the Scriptures revealed only partial information about God’s intentions. The unveiling of the complete plan became a litmus test for the people’s hearts.
Christ’s Role as the Unanticipated Messiah
Applying the Gospel to this complex problem, Jesus emerges as a different Messiah than anticipated. Contrary to the envisioned warrior-king, Jesus emphasized righteousness and victory over sin. The mystery within Scripture challenged the conventional understanding of a single focal point, paving the way for a paradigm shift.
Embracing Christ for True Understanding
The epilogue presents a crucial “So what?” – the rejection of Jesus by ancient Jews resulted from an unwillingness to reconsider assumptions about Scripture. Only by embracing Jesus as the Messiah could they unlock the entire eternal plan of God. The consequences of this rejection led to a profound shift in salvation, from adherence to the Law of Moses to salvation through faith in Christ. Christ’s teachings and miracles offer the path to proper understanding, urging us all to let Christ open our eyes to the deeper truths in Scripture.
~PW 🌮🛶
*This is based on reflections from some of Marty Pickup’s writing
Phillip W. Martin 
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