How is the Name Messiah different than Savior? Advent Day 22

He is the Promised Messiah who would save, restore, set free, and redeem Israel and all who call on Him in trust.

He is our Messiah, too. It was promised in the Old Testament that the invitation of salvation would be extended beyond the nation of Israel.

Messiah is often used as a synonym for Savior. However, even though both are used interchangeably when referring to Jesus, Messiah means “anointed one or promised one from God.”

Yes, He is the Savior, but Messiah has an added layer of meaning. He is the Promised Savior! When He is referred to as Messiah or Christ in the bible, it means that HE is the one they were waiting for. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise to save His people. Messiah is anticipated One who will save God’s people from their sins and restore the kingdom.

Abraham was given a promise.

Job knew of the promise.

The psalms speak of the promise.

Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel point to a promise,
The promise that The Messiah would come and Redeem Israel.

The Name Messiah refers to the One whom the Jews were waiting for.

The anticipated King of the Jews who would redeem and restore the throne of David.

Every single book in the Old Testament points to Jesus, and every book of the New Testament reveals His fulfillment of the scriptures. When in the New Testament, we read of mention of Messiah, it’s referring to this ONE promised, much anticipated King, Savior, Redeemer, and Anointed One chosen by God to lead them.

The angel makes the heavenly birth announcement in Luke 2: 11 that this awaited Christ is here! He has been born! And when the name Messiah or Christ is used. The angel is saying, “This is Him! Here He is! You’ve been waiting and waiting! He has come!”

Messiah points to Jesus being the One they’ve cried out for to come.

The One who would set things right, settle the score, release them and deliver them, and redeem everything that they’ve lost.

Messiah, Anointed One, Promised One. The One the whole earth so desperately needs.

When Jesus looks at Peter and says, “Who do you say that I am?” And Peter replies, “You are the Messiah.” Peter is saying, “Hey, I’ve put the puzzle pieces together. I realize who you are Jesus. You’re the One that we’ve been taught to expect. You’re the One we’ve read about in the Torah and in the prophets. You’re Him! Your the One.”

When Peter says, “You are the Messiah.” This revelation is so powerful, Jesus tells him that he could have only known that because it was revealed to him by God.

Jesus said,
“On this revelation, I’ll build my Church and nothing, not even all the forces of hell will overcome it.”
Jesus is building His church on the revelation that He is the One whom the scriptures say will save Israel from their sins, Jesus is the One whom the prophecies said would be called Immanuel, the Promised King from the line of David who will restore the throne.

And so, here it is in Revelation, the final fulfillment. Jesus will reign forever on the throne over His people who will be healed and redeemed.

Messiah, the fulfillment of ALL that God has promised. Every promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

When you come to know Jesus as Messiah, the revelation is the same as Peter, John the Baptist, and the woman at the well. The revelation of who He is and that you’ve desperately needed Him all along.

When you get serious about dropping all other things that you thought would save you and flee to HIM as Messiah, your eyes open to Him as the One you’ve been waiting for. You may have searched for comfort or identity in many fleeting things like titles, accolades, addictions, or people, but He is the One you’ve needed all along,

Dear Lord,
I receive You today as the One I’ve been waiting for. You are the Only One who can fill the deep needs of my longing soul. You are my Creator, my Savior, my Redeemer, and the long-awaited One my soul has been searching for. I’ve tried to fill it with all types of worldly things including trying to be good enough. None of these things have filled me or given me true peace. Lord, I recognize it’s You I need. Today, I receive a fresh touch of healing, comfort, identity, and peace from you as my Messiah.
In Jesus Name, Amen.