Over the last two thousand years, the concept of the word messiah has been used repeatedly, but only a few know the meaning of the term. So many people have appeared on the earth depicting that they are the messiah that will save humanity or certain countries. However, only Jesus, the Son of God, is the messiah who came to seek and save the lost and provide the way to eternal life with His Father in Heaven. Have you been wondering why Jesus is the messiah? Or do you seek to know more about Jesus the Messiah, then keep reading.

What Does Messiah Mean? 

The word messiah is of Hebrew origin, “mashiach,” which means the “anointed one.” It is also important to note that the word messiah is synonymous with Christ, which also means the anointed one. The anointed one is simply someone who has been anointed or smeared with ointment to perform or act in a designated capacity. For example, oil was used to anoint prophets, priests, and kings in the Old Testament to mark them as unique. The oil is used to symbolize a sign from God as consecration and anointing. So, Messiah means the anointed one or the Christ.  

Jesus the Messiah

Jesus is the messiah who came to save humanity from its endpoint; as the Scripture has it in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” Jesus proclaimed that the scripture had been fulfilled the day he read as he is the Messiah (Luke 4:21).  Several people at different times declared that Jesus was the messiah, such as; Andrew when he went to find his brother, Simon, and told them he had seen the Messiah (John 1:41).  Also, Peter by the Spirit reveals that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16).  

Why Do We Need a Messiah?

The need for a messiah came as a result of the fall of man due to the sin of disobedience. The man was no longer seen as acceptable and righteous in the eyes of God – thus, he separated from his maker. The pathway to salvation began when God prophesied about crushing the head of the serpent in the garden of Eden by the messiah. 

So, God was the first person to prophesy about the messiah’s coming to deliver man from the bondage of the serpent. As the Bible says, I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15). 

After the prophecy in the garden of Eden, God began to work with several sects of people to prophesy and demonstrate the salvation process. Some of which are prophets, priests, and kings who prophesied about the messiah’s coming. According to the prophecy, the messiah will be sent by God to save humanity through his death and resurrection. Thus, he will bring salvation and restore order to the world.  

Isaiah 61: 1 – 4: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

According to the book of Isaiah 61:1 – 4, we need the messiah for the following reasons; 

Preach the Good Tidings: The good tiding is brought to humanity by the messiah. According to the book of Matthew 4:17, Jesus, the messiah, preached the good news saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” The good news is that God sends his son to the world to rescue man from his sinful state. Jesus of Nazareth was a man who came to earth to provide hope to hopeless humanity. Jesus Christ brought the good news of salvation to the poor, the needy, the spiritually barren, and all who were corrupted by sin.

Bind up the Brokenhearted: Those who are weakened, crushed, or devastated in spirit, are referred to as brokenhearted. They are feeling spiritually bankrupt, desperate, and hopeless. They long for the Lord’s aid, consolation, and salvation in their hearts. So, the messiah is needed to inspire with a sense of hope and courage; provide hope and courage; encourage; bandage; dress by covering, wrapping, and tying.

Proclaim Liberty to the Captive: Liberty simply means freedom from oppression, servitude, and any form of slavery. The Messiah came to set humanity free spiritually. Since the fall of man, humanity has been oppressed and in bondage with the devil. But when a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, the Lord’s Spirit has taken up abode in that person according to Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18. 

Opening of the prison to them that are bound: The coming of the Messiah brought about freedom for those who lived in the bondage of their mind. Instead, believers now live under the freedom of God’s grace (Romans 6:14). Those who have accepted the finished work of Christ are set free from the guilt, influence, and punishment of sin. The preaching of Jesus, the truth, now sets people free from their bondage (John 8:32). 

To Proclaim the Acceptable Year of the Lord: Before the ultimate price paid by the messiah, humanity lived under the era of the law. However, the acceptable year of the Lord is the day of vengeance of our God on the law. It is the time of God’s grace, redemption, and deliverance. As Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Sisera, and many others can confirm, God’s rescue of His people is always accompanied by a judgment on His adversaries.

In conclusion, the ultimate sacrifice of our Messiah, Jesus Christ, paved the way for us to experience salvation and grace, our greatest spiritual need. Before we were all broken-hearted, helpless, and separated from God, but now we have received the messiah, Jesus’s gift of salvation. Do you think there are more to the reasons given above on why Jesus is the messiah?

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