Jesus the Messiah: A Bold Reformed Christian Reflection on Judaism and Fulfilled Prophecy

Christianity and Judaism are two sides of the same coin, but let’s get real—there’s a fierce wrestling match happening between them. Christianity boldly claims its roots in the promises made to Israel, insisting that Jesus Christ is the ultimate slam dunk for the Messianic prophecies touted throughout the Old Testament. That said, we know many of our Jewish friends look at Jesus and say, “Not our Messiah.” This isn't a message of condemnation; it’s a heartfelt invitation to dive into Scripture with us, to peel back the layers, and confront the truths about Jesus—no sugarcoating.

God’s Promises to Israel

The Hebrew Bible is overflowing with prophecies about the Messiah. The New Testament rolls in like a freight train, declaring Jesus as the embodiment of these promises. And let’s not overlook what Jesus Himself said:

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:17)

In the Reformed tradition, we see the entire narrative of Scripture pointing to Christ. The Old Testament isn’t just a relic; it’s a prophetic roadmap leading directly to Jesus.

Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus

1.       Born of a Virgin (Isaiah 7:14 → Matthew 1:22-23) Isaiah’s prophecy about a virgin giving birth to Immanuel is anything but vague. The Gospel of Matthew hits you with this fulfillment like a thunderbolt.

2.       Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 → Matthew 2:1-6) You’d expect the Messiah to come striding out of a grand palace, but nope—He comes from the humble origins of Bethlehem, an unassuming little town that became the epicenter of redemption.

3.       A Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53 → Matthew 27, Acts 8:32-35) Isaiah’s chilling description of a suffering servant who bears humanity’s sins finds its heart-wrenching fulfillment in Jesus’ agonizing crucifixion. That’s heavy stuff, and it demands a serious reckoning.

4.       The Triumphal Entry (Zechariah 9:9 → Matthew 21:1-5) Picture this: the King of kings rolls into town on a donkey—what an audacious image! Palm Sunday isn’t just pageantry; it’s a divine declaration that demands attention.

5.       Betrayed for Thirty Pieces of Silver (Zechariah 11:12-13 → Matthew 26:14-16, 27:3-10) Betrayed for mere pocket change? Zechariah called it, and it went down exactly as he foretold, proving that even betrayal can be part of God’s master plan.

6.       Crucifixion and Pierced Hands and Feet (Psalm 22:16 → John 19:23-37) Years before the Romans invented crucifixion, Psalm 22 lays out the trauma of the crucifixion in all its brutality. Jesus’ death was the raw, brutal climax of prophecy cutting deep.

7.       The Resurrection (Psalm 16:10 → Acts 2:24-31, Luke 24:6-7) “Not today, death.” The Psalmist declares that the Holy One wouldn’t see decay, and Jesus’ resurrection screams that He is who He claims to be—the victor over death.

A Bold Call to Consider Christ

The Reformed faith rumbles with the conviction that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Only the Holy Spirit can flip the script in hearts, opening eyes to see Jesus as the Messiah. But we challenge our Jewish friends, and everyone else reading, to grapple with these truths with an unguarded heart.

The Apostle Paul, a Jewish scholar who understood the weight of this truth, poured out his heart:

"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved." (Romans 10:1)

That’s our prayer too—that everyone would wake up to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises, the ultimate atonement for sin, and the King who isn’t just a fairy tale but reigns with undeniable authority.

With Love and Grit

This isn’t about arrogance; it’s about genuine respect for our Jewish friends and their heritage. We recognize the historical wounds and misunderstandings that linger. As Reformed Christians, our mission is to love our neighbors fiercely, engage in unapologetic dialogue, and pray for God’s transformative work in all our lives.

May all who seek Him find their way, and may His truth outshine the shadows of confusion.

Soli Deo Gloria.