Who is Jesus? The Prophet

The Prophet

Matthew 21:10-11 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (NIV)

            There were many prophets during Biblical times who God used to direct His people in the right way that they should go and to help turn their hearts towards Him. Prophets had the role of giving messages sent directly from God to the people. If God gave a message to His prophet, God expected it to be delivered just as He intended. Revelation 22:19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. (NIV) The role of a prophet was a serious one, and unlike many self-proclaimed modern-day prophets, they did not deliver messages of self-centered prosperity, greed, and worldly gain. Instead, they called the people to repent, turn from their idolatrous ways, and often gave words of warning should they decide to continue in their rebellion. The prophet would then deliver to them a word of hope that God had given as a condition once they turned from their rebellious ways. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

            Jesus, was no ordinary prophet; He came to deliver a word straight from the Father for He and the Father were One. God’s word did not have to be delivered in the same manner as the prophets of old for He was and still is the Living Word. John 1:1 In the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (NIV) All things that had been prophesied concerning Salvation was about Him for all things led directly to Him and without Him nothing would come to be. Jesus had  come to tell all who believed in Him that they would have a future with Him. John 14:1-3 ⁽¹⁾”Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ⁽²⁾My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ⁽³⁾And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (NIV) Jesus gave a promise that those who believe in God, his Father, and in Him would get to go to the place that He was preparing for them.

            As the prophets of old, Jesus often gave rebukes to the religious rulers of the day who always sought to find something wrong with His teachings and placed burdens on others, while being religious zealots and full of hypocrisy  themselves. Matthew 23:1-3 ⁽¹⁾Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ⁽²⁾”The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ⁽³⁾So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” (NIV) Jesus sought to help people understand his Father and not be bound by the constraints of legalism.

            Jesus, however, gave dire warnings about the destruction of the temple and the end times. These warnings were not to fill His followers with fear, but they were to prepare them for the times to come. Matthew 24:2 “Do you see all these things? He asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (NIV) The disciples marveled at the beauty of the temple, but Jesus let them know that the temple would one day be destroyed. In 70 C.E., the Romans fulfilled that prophecy and the temple was destroyed.  

            The Prophet, Jesus, gave additional warnings that consisted of false messiahs, nations uprising and toppling one another, wars and plans for war, famines, and natural disasters would all take place in the end times. Matthew 24:5-7 ⁽⁵⁾For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah, and will deceive many.⁽⁶⁾You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁽⁷⁾Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various place. (NIV) What Jesus foretold centuries ago is taking place now. We have seen those claiming to be Jesus and even false prophets who have arisen only to deceive and take advantage of the innocent. There are and have been threats of war from various countries around the world, while peace is spoken of, only to be broken. Jesus’ words are currently the top headlines of today and prophecy is being fulfilled right before our very eyes.

            Jesus warned that those who follow Him would be mistreated and persecuted for His name’s sake. Dedication to Him would even cause many their lives. Matthew 24:9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” (NIV) Jesus’ warnings continued with those of a great fallen away from the faith, betrayal, an increase of wickedness, and the lack of love. As we see here today, Jesus’ words came true and they are becoming more evident today. Yet, He gave us hope that He would come back one day to take His children home where we will never have to encounter anything that is wicked ever again. That hope is the reason for our faith and His prophetic teachings and warnings should always stay in our hearts and minds for they were given to prepare us for that glorious day when we will one day see Him in the clouds and be with Him forever more. Matthew 24:30-31 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (NIV)