Chapter 10
Who Did Jesus Think He Was?

 

It may surprise you to find out that Jesus (Yeshua) did NOT believe that he was THE Messiah.  He did, however believe that he was A messiah (one who was anointed [chosen] ).

In Matthew 10:34 Yeshua says:

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

This passage is somewhat problematic. After all THE Messiah's main purpose is to bring peace to the earth.  So what exactly is Yeshua talking about?

The Two Messiahs

A belief in Orthodox Judaism is that two Messiahs will usher in the end of the age; Messiah son of Joseph (the suffering servant), and Messiah son of David (the conquering king).

According to tradition, Messiah ben-Joseph will enable events to bring the two kingdoms (Judah and Israel) back together. However, through this effort Messiah ben-Joseph will die.  His death also brings a time of war and destruction.

After this happens, Messiah ben-David will rule both houses of Israel with the Third Temple built in Jerusalem as the center of worship, and an era of peace comes for the entire world.

Messiah ben Joseph

From the Talmud (Sukkot 52a) we read:

What is the cause of mourning [referring to Zechariah 12:10]? R. Dosa and the Rabbis differ on the point. One explained, The cause is the slaying of Messiah

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