Using ancient iconography, a restoration of the possible likeness of Christ by Bas Uterwijk
A. The Historicity of the Messiah
The historical fact of Yah'shua (Jesus) is incontrovertibly established. Attempts which have been made to disprove it during the past 250 years by modernist critics have failed. Not only is the whole body of the Messianic Scriptures (New Testament) founded upon the historic Messiah (Christ), but the rise and progress of the Messianic Community or Christian Church, and indeed the course of world history during the past 20 centuries, are inexplicable apart from the historic fact of the Messiah who lived, died, and rose again.
The fact that extant secular records of the first 100 years after the ministry of the Messiah contain only a few references to Him is only natural. Christianity was but one of many religious groups originating in the East in the Roman world of the first two centuries, and there was little in it to attract the interest of pagan historians. Only when it came into conflict with the state did it become worthy of mention in those earlier days, and the earliest pagan writers who refer to it in such a context all significantly mention Christ as the founder of Christianity or Messianism [1].
Apart from a doubtful and, at best, interpolated passage in Josephus [2], Yah'shua (Jesus) is not mentioned directly in non-Christian Jewish writings of this period. The reason for this is the hostility and resentment with which His memory was regarded by Jewish leaders of the time. There are, however, indirect references to Him in the earlier rabbinical writings which make reasonably recognisable mention of Him as a transgressor in Israel who practiced magic, scorned the words of the wise, led the people astray, and said He had come to add to the Torah (Law), who was hanged on Pesach (Passover) eve, and whose talmidim (disciples) healed the sick in His Name.
In the earliest centuries AD not even the bitterest enemies of Christianity had any idea of denying that Yah'shua (Jesus) lived and died in Palestine, and that He performed wonderful works, whatever account they might give of the power by which He performed them. Nor at the present day does any objective historian deny the historical fact of Christ. It is not historians who toy with the fantasy of a 'Christ-myth'. Not only His death but His resurrection must be reckoned among the best established facts of history. [3]
B. Sources
For the essential details of the life the Messiah we are entirely dependant on the Messianic Scriptures (New Testament). As already mentioned, not that much can be gained from a study of pagan or Jewish literature of the early decades AD, and when we turn to extra-biblical Christian literature of the same period we find very little that is not already in the New Testament. Most of the apocryphal Gospels are so obviously the product of imagination that they only help, by way of contrast, to prove the historical character of the canonical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John), but do not add anything to our knowledge of the life of our Master.
The Gospels are not biographies in the ordinary sense of the word. Each of the four Evangelists had a specific purpose in writing and made an appropriate selection from the information at his disposal regarding Yah'shua's (Jesus') life. Although there are many differences in emphasis on certain aspects of His life, all four proclaim one and the same Christ as Master (Lord) and Deliverer (Saviour), the perfect Son of man and the only-begotten Son of Elohim (God).
Because the Gospels are not ordinary biographies but proclamations of the good tidings (Besorah, Gospel, Good News) regarding Yah'shua (Jesus) as Deliverer (Saviour) and Master (Lord), we must not seek in them a strictly chronological arrangement. On the other hand, the Evangelists' spiritual purpose did not lead them to neglect the historical character of the life of Yah'shua (Jesus). As is stated so clearly in the preface of the third Gospel (Luke), the authors were keenly aware of the urgent need to make known the truth about Christ. To them and to their fellow-believers, emunah (faith) was a matter of life and death. Thus they could not afford to base their faith on fantasies, myths, or legends. A faith like that of the first Christian/Messianic generation demanded absolute loyalty to Messiah - even unto death. Such a faith could be built only on assured facts. Moreover, the Gospel-writers were in such close and living contact with many who had heard and seen the Master that they had unique opportunities of ascertaining those facts. Besides, since the historical facts were known at first hand to so many people, they could not venture to give fictitious accounts.
Although Luke incorporated large sections of the Gospel of Mark, and John may well have known the first three Gospels, our four Gospels are essentially four independent sources of information regarding the life or Yah'shua (Jesus). Each of them stresses different aspects of His life and ministry more than the others, but is essentially the same Christ as we find in all four. This is as true of John as of the Synoptists (Matthew, Mark, Luke). John's Gospel supplements the others and, as a result of many years of reflection and more mature insight into the deeper philosophical and theological significance of the Gospel history, concentrates more on the teaching of the Master regarding His divine Sonship. But even John proclaims no other Messiah than the Messiah proclaimed by the first three Evangelists.
In short, we have in the four canionical Gospels the best and most reliable sources of information regarding the life of Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). Although the rest of the Messianic Scriptures (New Testament) do not add much to the historical details of the Gospel, it is important to note that Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation are all built on the fact that Yah'shua (Jesus) lived, taught, suffered and triumphed as the Gospels affirm. Since some of the Messianic Scriptures' (New Testament) Epistles were written as early as 50 AD (or even a little earlier) - 1 & 2 Thessalonians and Galatians, and possibly James - we are brought to not more than 20 years from the date of Yah'shua's (Jesus') crucifixion. Taking further into account the fact that one of the early New Testament writers, Paul, was a bitter persecutor of the followers of Yah'shua (Jesus) but was converted as early as AD 32 or 33, and that the Epistle of James was written by the brother of Yah'shua (Jesus), we realise how close the contact was between the time of Yah'shua's (Jesus') life on earth (ca. 6/4 BC-AD 30) and that generation of believers in whose lifetime the first New Testament documents were written. Paul's summary of the apostolic preaching in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 is of great significance:
"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the Besorah (Gospel) which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you -- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas (Peter), then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present (are still alive), but some have fallen asleep (died). After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time" (1 Cor.15:1-8, NKJV).
In this passage Paul not only proclaims essentially the same Besorah (Gospel) as the four Evangelists, but he reveals how intimate the relation was between the early Messianic Community (Christian Church) and the apostles and other eyewitnesses of our Master's life. It is thus not surprising to find that our four Gospels, for all their different emphases and varying choice of details, proclaim the same Messiah who came to seek and save those who are lost, the divine Master to whom all power has been given in heaven and on earth [4].
No wonder, then, that after more than 150 years of acute and ruthless criticism, the trustworthiness of the four canonical Gospels has been more securely established than ever. One theory after another, and successive schools of thought, which have thrown doubt on the reliability of the Gospels, have crumbled to pieces before the irrrefutable historicity of the life of Yah'shua (Jesus) which they record. Although the Gospels are silent regarding many details which we should naturally like to know, the four Gospels, confirming and supplementing one another, give us all the facts about Yah'shua (Jesus) which we need to know in order that we may believe in Him as "the Messiah, the Son of Elohim (God), and that through believing you may have chayim (life) in His Name" (Jn.20:31, NRSV).
C. Uniqueness
The life of the Master is unique in many ways. One aspect of its uniqueness lies in its fulfilment of specific prophecies made hundreds of years before His birth. Yah'shua (Jesus) Himself, for instance, repeatedly taught His talmidim (disciples) that He would in accordance with the Scriptures suffer and die and rise from the dead (cp. Lk.18:31-34). After His resurrection, too, He plainly declared that in His life, death, and resurrection the Scriptures had been fulfilled (Lk.24:25-27,44-48; also see Figs.1-3 below).
Fig.1 Messianic Prophecies & Their Fulfillment Arranged Chronologically
Prophecies |   |
Fulfilment |
Gen.3:15 |
Would be the offspring of a woman |
Gal.4:4 (Lk.2:7; Rev.12:5) |
Gen.18:18 (Gen.12:3) |
Promised offspring of Abraham |
Ac.3:25 (Mt.1:1; Lk.3:34) |
Gen.17:19 |
Promised offspring of Isaac |
Mt.1:2 (Lk.3:34) |
Num.24:17 (Gen.28:14) |
Promised offspring of Jacob |
Lk.3:34 (Mt.1:2) |
Gen.49:10 |
Will descend from the Tribe of Judah |
Lk.3:33 (Mt.1:2-3) |
Isa.9:7 (11:1-5; 2 Sam.7:13) |
The heir to the throne of David |
Mt.1:1 (Mt.1:6) |
Mic.5:2 |
Place of birth: Bethlehem Ephrathah |
Mt.2:1 (Lk.2:4-7) |
Dan.9:25 |
Time of birth |
Lk.2:1-2 (Lk.2:3-7) |
Isa.7:14 |
Born of a virgin |
Mt.1:18 (Lk.1:26-35) |
Jer.31:15 |
Slaughter of infants |
Mt.2:16 (Mt.2:17-18) |
Hos.11:1 |
Escape into Egypt |
Mt.2:14 |
Isa.9:1-2 |
Ministry in Galilee |
Mt.4:12-16 |
Deut.18:15 |
As a prophet |
Jn.6:14 (Jn.1:45; Ac.3:19-26) |
Ps.110:4 |
As a Priest, like Melchizedek |
Heb.6:20 (Heb.5:5-6; 7:15-17) |
Isa.53:3 (Ps.2:2) |
His rejection by Jews |
Jn.1:11 (Jn.5:43; Lk.4:29; 17:25; 23:18) |
Isa.11:2 (Ps.45:7; Isa.113-4) |
Some of his characteristics |
Lk.2:52 (Lk.4:18) |
Zec.9:9 (Isa.62:11) |
His triumphal entry |
Jn.12:13-14 (Mt.21:1-11; Jn.12:12) |
Ps.41:9 |
Betrayed by a friend |
Mk.14:10 (Mt.26:14-16; Mk.14:43-45) |
Zec.11:12 (11:13) |
Sold for thirty pieces of silver |
Mt.26:15 (Mt.27:3-11) |
Zec.11:13 |
Money to be returned for a potter's field |
Mt.27:6-7 (Mt.27:3-5, 8-10) |
Ps.109:7 |
Judas' position to be taken by another |
Ac.1:18-20 (Ac.1:16-17) |
Ps.27:12 (Ps.35:11) |
False witnesses accuse him |
Mt.26:60-61 |
Isa.53:7 (Ps.38:13-14) |
Silent when accused |
Mt.26:62-63 (Mt.27:12-14) |
Isa.50:6 |
Struck and spit on |
Mk.14:65 (Mk.15:17; Jn.19:1-3; 18:22) |
Ps.69:4 (Ps.109:3-5) |
Hated without cause |
Jn.15:23-25 |
Isa.53:4-5 (Isa.53:6,12) |
Suffered vicariously |
Mt.8:16-17 (Rom.4:25; 1 Cor.15:3) |
Isa.53:12 |
Crucified with sinners |
Mt.27:38 (Mk.15:27-28; Lk.23:33) |
Ps.22:16 (Zec.12:10) |
Hands and feet pierced |
Jn.20:27 (Jn.19:37; 20:25-26) |
Ps.22:6-8 |
Mocked and insulted |
Mt.27:39-40 (Mt.27:41-44; Mk.15:29-32) |
Ps.69:21 |
Given gall and vinegar |
Jn.19:29 (Mt.27:34,48) |
Ps.22:8 |
Hears prophetic words repeated in mockery |
Mt.27:43 |
Ps.109:4 (Isa.53:12) |
Prays for his enemies |
Lk.23:34 |
Zec.12:10 |
His side to be pierced |
Jn.19:34 |
Ps.22:18 |
Soldiers cast lots for his clothes |
Mk.15:24 (Jn.19:24) |
Ps.34:20 (Ex.12:46) |
Not a bone to be broken |
Jn.19:33 |
Isa.53:9 |
To be buried with the rich |
Mt.27:57-60 |
Ps.16:10 (Mt.16:21) |
His resurrection |
Mt.28:9 (Lk.24:36-48) |
Ps.68:18 |
His ascension |
Lk.24:50-51 (Ac.1:9) |
Fig.2 Suffering & Kingly Messiah Prophecies
Suffering Messiah Prophecies (1st Advent) |
Kingly Messiah Prophecies (2nd Advent) |
Psalms 22:18 & 69:21 |
Psalms 2:6-8; 118:22; 68:18 |
Isaiah 50:6; 52:14; 53:1-10 |
Isaiah 9:6-7; 32:1-3; 42:1-4 |
Daniel 9:26 |
Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14; 5:2 |
Zechariah 11:12; 12:10; 13:7 |
Zechariah 6:12-13; 9:9-10 |
  |
Jeremiah 23:5 |
  |
Micah 5:2 |
  |
Malachi 3:1 |
Fig 3. Messianic Prophecies of the Book of Isaiah
History of Messiah |
Mission of Messiah |
Titles of Messiah |
Character of Messiah |
Birth (7:14) |
Illuminator (9:2) |
Immanuel (7:14) |
Radiance (9:2; 42:6) |
Family (11:1) |
Judge (11:3) |
Mighty God (El) (9:6) |
Wisdom (11:2) |
Anointing (11:2) |
Reprover (11:4) |
Everlasting Father (9:6) |
Spiritual Discernment (11:3) |
  |
Lawgiver (42:4) |
Prince of Peace (9:6) |
Justice (11:4) |
  |
Liberator (42:7) |
Righteous King (32:1) |
Righteousness (11:5) |
  |
Burden-bearer (53:4) |
Divine Servant (42:1) |
Silence (42:2; 53:7) |
  |
Suffering Saviour (53:5) |
Arm of Yahweh (53:1) |
Gentleness (42:3) |
  |
Sin-bearer (53:6) |
Anointed Preacher (61:1) |
Perseverance (42:4) |
  |
Intercessor (53:12) |
Mighty Saviour (Yasha) (63:1) |
Vicarious Suffering (52:14; 53:10) |
  |
  |
  |
Compassion (53:4) |
  |
  |
  |
Meekness (53:7) |
  |
  |
  |
Sinlessness (53:9) |
  |
  |
  |
Saving Power (53:11) |
  |
  |
  |
Greatness (53:12) |
In the speeches of Peter, Stephen, and Paul recorded in Acts, and in practically all the books of the Messianic Scriptures (New Testament) the life, suffering and exaltation of Yah'shua (Jesus) are repeatedly proclaimed as the fulfilment of the promises of Elohim (God) in the Tanakh (Old Testament). There is nothing in the history of the world comparable to the fact that hundreds of years before the birth of Yah'shua (Jesus) many things regarding Him - even the place of His birth (Mic.5:2) - had veen foretold and recorded in the Tanakh (Old Testament) Scriptures. And in many other aspects - from His supernatural conception to His ascension to Heaven - the life stands alone. Only in His life do we see Elohim (God) become flesh (the Incarnation). While the lives of all other founders of religion reveal to us men and women who sought after emet (truth) and strove to attain righteous insight, the life of Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) alone reveals the Elohim (God) of ahavah (love) and righteousness seeking to save fallen humanity.
All the claims made by Yah'shua (Jesus) regarding His eternal and divine Sonship are confirmed by His life, death, resurrection, and triumphant ascension. He is unique among men. We invite you, if you do not know Him, to make a study of this ministry by following the links below and elsewhere throughout the website
D. The Website
The register that follows does not attempt to cover the hundreds of articles, sermons, devotionals and FAQ's on Yah'shua (Jesus) on this website which would be quite impossible and would serve no practical use since the whole website is about Him. These are, rather, scattered throughout dozens of other topical registries and directories which may be accessed on the main page. What follows here is an assortment of articles on the Messiah not necessarily covered by other collections of materials.
Endnotes
[1] Tacitus, Annals xv.44; Suetonius, Claudius 25; Nero 16; Pliny, Epistles x.96
[2] Josephus, Antiquities xviii 3.3
[3] N.T.Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God (SPCK, London: 2003); Sir Norman Anderson, Jesus Christ: The Witness of History (Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester, England: 1985); Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan: 1995); Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan: 1998); Gary R.Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (College Press Publishing Company, Joplin, Missouri: 1996); Gary R.Habermas & Michael R.Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Kregal Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan: 2004)
[4] Matthew 11:27; 28:18; Mark 1:11; 8:29; Luke 1:32,35; 2:11; 9:35; 10:22; John 1:1; 20:28, etc.
7 March 2021
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