The Surprising Messiah

We've seen Messiah - defined, predicted, expected, anticipated....
Today  we see Messiah overlooked, misunderstood, misinterpreted, missed!!!

Isa. 52:13-53:12  - Who is the suffering servant? Nation of Israel??  Isaiah????
The Jews didn't equate this with Messiah - didn't fit their concept of Messiah.

Answer:  Luke 24:25-27, 45-47  (Christ = Messiah) - this part of the Messiahship was missed before the resurrection.  BUT, after the resurrection and the 40 days following, they began to see.

So....... for example, Phillip - Acts 8:26-35

If there is a summary statement of "Surprising Messiah" - it is Luke 19:10 - "to seek and to save" (surprising to these people)
On one hand, not His only role as Messiah (leader, guide, ruler, King, warrior...)
However, if all subjects of the Kingdom are lost? (hell-bound), then where is the Kingdom?  A Kingdom is made of people.

Focus 1st. on "save". - without this role, the other roles are unimportant or not existent.

Save From??? - Matt. 1:21 - sin/sins
Sin --> separation --> destruction & damnation!!  And the bad news is, can't cure this situation.

Save To???  Restoration of life, Reconciliation/Right-standing with God

Save How????

What's needed??

#1.  Propitiation = to appease, satisfy the demands of holiness and justice ... in order to regain favor/standing.
On one hand it is forgiveness, But with the proper payment!!

#2.  Expiation - verb = erase the guilt, remove the sin.
ie:  forgiveness accompanied by removal/cleansing...

Therefore:
#3.  Substitution - We're not good enough to pay the price/remove sins
Example - the two goats from Lev. 16) - one as sacrifice for sins, one to bear the sins and carry them away from the people.

So.....
#4.  Incarnation   Heb. 10:5-7  (John 1:29) - God in the flesh coming here.

#5.  Execution/crucifixion (He had to die/give His lifeblood) - 1 Pet. 2:24
Remember?  Suffering servant?  Messiah? - the Jewish Messiah was seen as keeper of Law, defender/promoter/teacher/advocate.....
BUT not seen as fulfillment of Law!  Completion of Law!! - the Jews missed this.

#6.  Resurrection - because not only paid for sin, He conquered sin.  (greatest enemy)
Christ didn't come just to die for our sins, but to conquer it, and He will raise us victorious over sin as well.

One more step:
#7.  Imputation = ascribe to/credit to... 1/2 of imputation = our sin TO Christ ... therefore,  2 Cor. 5:21 - other 1/2 = He  gives me His righteousness.

Question????  Is all this necessary?  Heb. 7:26-27 - only thing we NEED is reconciliation with the Father.  He came to meet our needs, not our wants.

Question???  Was there any other way???  Mk. 14:35-36   If there was, God chose not to use it.  This is not my way, or the church way, or the Christian way --- it is God's way. 
People will say it is arrogant to say there is only one way.
The arrogance is saying I know more than Peter, Jesus, God..........

NOTE:  This is God's work - it is all from God.  His gift to us.
2 Cor. 5:18-19 (a)  (John 19:30)

It was completed under God's initiative.....
He took the initiative in.....
Designing Redemption
Sending Messiah
Drawing you.
Luke 19:10 - "seek and save"
(you don't respond because you're good .... but because He is!!)

AND, it requires your response.

1)  examine the claims - not the invention of man
2)  consider His drawing (Holy Spirit wooing)
3)  decide
If you agree:
4)  A - B - C  admit (your need, your separation), believe (Christ died for your sins), confess (Jesus as your Lord)   Rom. 10:9-10
Then...
5)  follow - Him (student, disciple)
6)  promote Him  ("we are Christ's ambassadors")
And,
7) anticipate (Him, next coming, His other roles)!!   Matt. 25:31-34