Bible Question:
According to Daniel 9, Jesus fulfills the prophecy to the day and even remarks in the gospel of Luke (chapter 19) that some had not known what day it was. Either in the bible itself or through other reliable historical sources from which we have clear records, how many other people claimed to be the Messiah around that time, and what are their names if it is known? I am asking because it seems like the Jews of that time were looking for a Messiah, and Jesus was not the only one to be considered. In speaking with Jews, it would be very helpful to be able to cite an accurate number and some historical names and figures in discussing Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. My contention or point is that if it wasn't Jesus then who do they think it was? |
Bible Answer: It seems that there were frequent attempts to establish a Messianic identity in the region of Israel during the time of Christ. In Acts 5:36-37 the Jewish rabbi Gamaliel cites two examples of would-be Messiahs (and their demise!). Therefore, it does appear that there instances of individuals presuming a Messianic "ministry" in the area, and it is safe to assume that the two examples given by Gamaliel are representative of a larger group. According the Luke 19, the crowds that welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem were ecstatic at His appearance, and (probably) at the timing of His appearace, as they cried out, "Hosanna" (literally, "Save us, now!"), and referred to Him as "Son of David." Therefore, they seemed to assume that His appearance was in some form a fulfillment of prophecy that the Messiah (a descendant of David) would enter the city of Jerusalem with the expressed intention of establishing the political-military rule (as David had done 1,000 years before)of the nation. The problem was, as the day progressed it became apparent that the Lord was not moving toward an immediate political coup in Jerusalem. No attack on the Anatolia fortress, which housed the Roman garrison. No assault on the palace of the Herods. Not even a good, old fashioned street demonstration! Instead, He went directly to the Temple, where He was to present Himself as the rightful King of Israel. He cleansed the Temple of the money-changers, and healed the sick, and received the praises of little children (see Psalm 8). The whole point is (the first move that Jesus made on the day the Daniel had prophesied that the Messiah would enter the city) was to purify the worship/religeous life of the nation, to call the nation to repentance for how they'd corrupted the pure religeon that God had given them. That was the last thing the people would have thought they needed, and so they quickly concluded that He was not the Messiah, was not going to "deliver the goods," and they began to desert Him. They knew something about the right day/season when the Messiah would appear (they'd read Daniel), but they had no inkling that the Messiah's first order of business would be to call them to repentance. They knew their calendars (more or less...) but not their Lord, and so they missed the boat. The Messiah certainly would lead the nation to world dominion and power, but only as the Leader of a repentant, faithful, broken people, NOT the nation as it was when He come to it. Sorry, this is long-winded, but in summary I would say, the Jews were indeed looking forward to a Messiah, but their job description of the Messiah had become a completely different animal than they actual ministry of the Messiah that they so desperately needed, on a personal AND national level. Things haven't changed much, have they? God bless! |