This week we look at some of the titles of Jesus that were prophesied in the Old Testament and how they were fulfilled. 

But first, let's look at this word: Messiah. It means "the anointed one" and to be anointed is to have oil poured over you. This wasn't motor oil, but oil with a good scent, oil that smelled good. This anointing would signify a transition of power in some circumstances, such as when David was anointed by Samuel. 

  1. The Messiah will be a king descended from David (2 Samuel 7:11-16). This family tree will be cut down, but a branch will grow from the stump (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6). Fulfillment: Matthew 1:1, 17… David wanted to build a house for God, but God said no, I'm going to build you a house, one that would last forever. There would be a time period where that house isn't sitting on a throne, but that eventually a Son of David would rise up to be king forever. Jesus is that king as shown by His genealogy and His life. 

  2. The Messiah will be David’s lord (Psalm 110:1-2). Fulfillment: Matthew 22:41-46; Acts 2:33-36… David recognizes that God will send a Messiah in the future and that the Messiah would be his better. The Messiah would be more than David could even dream of being. Jesus is a descendant of David, but he was also before David. How? He was in Heaven with the Father before David was even a thought in his parente' minds. 

  3. The Messiah will be a priest forever (Psalm 110:4) Fulfillment: Hebrews 7:14-17…. Wait. Don't priests come from the tribe of Levi? Well, yes, but before that, there was Melchizedek. Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek. 

  4. The Messiah will be the divine son of God (Psalm 2:1-9). Fulfillment: Matthew 3:17; 17:5… Some prophecies have dual meanings. Psalm 2 is one of those. It was used for kings of their time. It's a royal psalm. But it also prophecies about the future Messiah, which we now know is Jesus. When Jesus was baptized and when he was transfigured on the mountain, the voice of God came down and said "this is my son." 


John 1:41 gives us one more title for Jesus. He is the Christ. Christ is the Greek translation of Messiah. We often say His name is Jesus Christ, but Christ is a title, not a name. It’s also where the word Christian comes from. A Christian is someone who submits to the Christ. Christ is Lord of the Christian life.