The Messiah’s Misunderstood Mission

Jesus performed miracles and signs. He healed the sick, raised the

dead, quelled storms of nature, fed the multitudes and exercised

absolute authority over the spirit world—yet He wasn’t accepted as Israel’s Messiah. One might think that with those credentials, He would be automatically proclaimed Messiah. We are told, however, that “He came to His own [people], and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). After a 3 1⁄2-year ministry, only 120 followers were there for the miraculous beginning of His Church (Acts 1:15).

One of the prophecies about the Messiah foretold that He would be “despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3). The great works Jesus did that brought about His popularity in the country were not enough to overcome the disfavor He incurred from the religious authorities—or enough to secure loyalty from the fickle hearts of the common man. His mission and His teachings were at cross purposes to those who held high positions in the nation, and His purpose was also misunderstood by most of those who saw and heard Him. What were the Jews looking for? The Jews were acquainted with many of the prophecies about the Messiah, the chosen or “anointed one”