12/11/11- The Messiah is Prophesied to be a Prophet

12/11- Day 15- Light the first 3 candles (the third is the pink/joy candle). The Messiah shall be a Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18; Matthew 21:11 (Lk. 7:16; Jn. 4:19; 6:14; 7:40)

¹⁸I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and will put My words in His mouth; and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him. (Deuteronomy 18:18)

 ¹¹And the multitude said, "This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." (Matthew 21:11)

(“Transfiguration”- Raphael 1516- with the prophets Moses and Elijah)

Thoughts: Moses, at the very beginning of the nation of Israel foretold of the ultimate prophet (Deut. 18:18 above).  McDowell says that the Jewish scholar Maimonides in a letter to the community of the Jews in Yemen denounced a messiah pretender by saying: “The Messiah will be a very great Prophet, greater than all the Prophets with the exception of Moses our teacher…His status will be higher than that of the Prophets and more honorable.”  When John the Baptist came, people asked him if he was “the prophet” (Jn. 1:21).  Jesus spoke forth the Word of God as a prophet would.  In fact, Jesus is greater than any prophet in that He Is described as the Word (or emanation) of God incarnate- the Word made flesh (John 1:1,14).  Before Jesus’ sacrificial death (which he had predicted in many times and places) Moses and Elijah- two of the greatest prophets- met with Him to encourage Him on.  Jesus also predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple (Mt. 24:2; Mk. 13; Lk. 21) within a generation of his death.  This happened in 70 AD.  But Jesus not only predicted, He also taught amazing words of grace, love and beauty.  The voice from heaven gave good advice, “This is my Son whom I love, listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5).

 Prayer: Lord you have a message for me.  It is found in your very person.  Help me to have ears to hear and listen to your voice.