"John’s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, 'John the Baptist sent us to ask, "Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?" At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. Then he told John’s disciples, 'Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’”
In this account Jesus gave the long answer. He responded to the question of John's disciples with the evidence of his actions. In John 4:25-26, Jesus was more succinct, "The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.' Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am he.'”
Messiah means "anointed one" as in oil poured on one. Another snapshot of Jesus: Messiah found in Luke 7:46-50:
[Jesus speaking to Simon the Pharisee] "'You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.' Then Jesus said to the woman, 'Your sins are forgiven.' The men at the table said among themselves, 'Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?' And Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'”
Christian Cyclopedia reports, "The OT [Old Testament] offers hope of a messiah-king after the image of David (e.g., Ps 2; 18; 20; 21; 45). It also refers to Messiah in such terms as the coming Judge (e.g., Is 42:1–4), Ruler of Israel (e.g., 2 Sm 7:13; Zch 9:9; Ps 2:6; Dn 9:25), Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Is 9:6; cf. Ju 13:18)." Jesus filled the hope of all of these.
Most importantly for us..."who is this man, that goes around forgiving sins?" Answer: Jesus: Messiah.
Many movies include a messiah theme (all ripped off from the Bible). In these movies, the characters look to the One who would come to save, redeem, put things right again. One could look at Star Wars Episodes I-III as Old Testament. And Episodes IV-VI as New Testament. In Episodes I-II, the Jedi were looking to the One who would provide order to the universe. Ultimately, in Episodes VI (with a rocky road of destruction in the middle) that One was Anikan Skywalker (aka Darth Vader) who defeated the evil emperor.
How is Jesus the One to you? How has he saved, redeemed, put things right in your life? How may you express this to another?
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