Man, Messiah, or More ?Andre P. Llewellyn©2010

“For fifteen years Emperor Tiberius had ruled that part of the world. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was the

ruler of Galilee…Annas and Caiaphas were the Jewish high priests. At that time God spoke to Zechariah's son John…”

Luke 1;1-3

ROME CONTROLED JUDEA AND THE SURROUNDING PALESTINIAN AREA

Emperor Tiberius Caesar Judaea became a colony of Rome and

a part of the Roman province Syria.

Leadership in Jerusalem

Governor Pontius Pilate

High Priest

King Herod

When Rome invaded and occupied Jerusalem they made sure that they had total control over the all the affairs of Judea, by appointing the civil ruler and religious leaders of the Jews. The leaders they appointed were violent, dogmatic, and abused their power for personal gain.

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that

a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.” Luke

2;1

Over-taxed and Abused There was a strong dislike towards tax and tax collectors because the Jews were over-taxed. There were taxes on income, customs duties, real estate, animals, salt, sales, vehicles, polls [1% of one’s income], and tolls on roads and bridges.

“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax

collectors doing that?”

Tax Farmers/Collectors "Two men went up to the

temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and

prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like

other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.” Matt. 18;10-11

Religious Situation The Jewish religious identity though connected by belief in Yahweh was disconnected on other religious matters. There were four major Jewish groups – Sadducees, Essenes, Pharisees, and Zealots.

Religious Situation The Temple was a symbol of God’s presence, for the Jews it was the focus of the national life and hope and a place to engage in religious practices [prayer or sacrifice].

Religious Situation The leaders and priests of Temple had turned their backs on what the true purpose of the temple was. The temple became a place of self interest and profit.

Religious SituationThe Roman coins that the Jews had to use would bear an image of the goddess Roma or an inscription saying Caesar was the divine emperor. This of course went against Jewish monotheism.

Jewish Rebellion and Expectation 1. There was rebellion against Rome brewing2. There was an increased expectation of the anointed one promised in the scriptures.

THE EXPECTATION OF THE MESSIAH

“Someday I will appoint an honest king from the family of David, a king who will be wise and rule with justice. As long as he is king, Israel will have peace, and Judah will be safe. The name of this king will be "The LORD Gives Justice." – Jer. 23;5

“I saw what looked like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven, and he was presented to the Eternal God. He was crowned king and given power and glory, so that all people of every nation and race would serve him. He will rule forever, and his kingdom is eternal, never to be destroyed.” Dan 7;13-14

THE EXPECTATION OF THE MESSIAH

“The deaf will be able to hear whatever is read to them; the blind will be freed from a life of darkness. The poor and the needy will celebrate and shout because of the LORD, the holy God of Israel.” Isa. 29;18-19

THE EXPECTATION OF THE MESSIAH

THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE MESSIAH1. Restorer of Justice for Israel2. A leader for their nationalistic interest 3. Leader from Davidic Lineage 4. Representative of Jehovah5. A miracle worker and healer 6. One who will usher in the Kingdom of

God

Jesus, was born to a people whose national aspirations were stronger for being constantly trampled upon by the callous Roman government and equally constantly whipped up by would-be revolutionary leaders. It was a time when almost all Jews of any description looked for God to inaugurate his kingdom, his sovereign rule, and vindicate them by fulfillment of his ancient promise.

The Son of man represents the picture of Israel’s anointed representative who through suffering would be used by God to redeem his people.

The Son of Man

"He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by

the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three

days rise again.“ Mark 8:31

The Son of Man Suffers

The Son of Man who has Divine Authority

"But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority

on earth to forgive sins. . ."Mark 2:10

The Son of David was the promised future son of King David who the Jews thought would break the political power of the time and re-establish the Davidic kingdom. He was to rebuild the temple and re-unite the Jews.

The Son of David

The Messiah is the Son of David“When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you,

who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.” 2

Sam. 7;12

The Messiah is the Son of David"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has

raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David

(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago)…” Luke 1;68-

70

The Son of David Rules His Kingdom “…Those who went ahead and

those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!” "Blessed is he

who comes in the name of the Lord!“ "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!“ "Hosanna in the highest!" Mark

11;9-10

The title Son of God is a formula for expressing divinity. As Messiah Jesus represents the very presence of God active among his people.

The Son of God

“…All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be

with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him

Immanuel"—which means, "God with us.” – Matt. 1;22-23

The Son of God Promised

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of

the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and

truth.” John 1; 14

The Messiah is the Revealed Glory of God

“Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you

know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen

the Father...”John 14; 8-9

The Messiah is the Revealed Glory of God