Rebuttal #8 to Reason #8 (Part One)
If I had to guess I would imagine that Norman Asher, author of Twenty-Six Reasons Why Jews Don’t Believe in Jesus, is most proud of Reason #8. Perhaps because he believes this is his trump card. Perhaps because he borrows from many anti-missionaries before him and whose “success” has been unresponded to in a correct and thorough manner. However, and attempting to not sound condescending, I think that this blog can. It might take a couple of posts but this blog will try to do it well.
First, Asher lists the six standard expectations for the Messiah:
- descendant of King David
- anointed king of Israel
- return the Jewish people to Israel
- rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
- bring peace to the world and end war
- bring knowledge of God to the world
And you know what … I agree with all six criterion. However, I have an understanding of the concept that Asher either fails to study or is afraid to confront. He brings these concepts and focuses on the concept of Messiah ben David (Messiah son of David) but fails to consider the attributes/prophecies of Messiah ben Joseph (Messiah son of joseph). Never heard of this idea. Not surprised because many who deny Jesus’ messiahship fail to recognize the suffering demanded from the Messiah as well as His triumphant nature. In other words, they do not want to confront Isaiah 53; Zechariah 12; Psalm 22, etc., etc.
Messiah ben Joseph AND Messiah ben David were both part of the understanding of the Messiah during the intertestamental times before Jesus’ birth. The Jewish scholars understood that a Messiah must first come to suffer before He could come to rule and reign. This concept has been lost over time for a couple of reasons. First, because it is difficult to believe that our Savior must suffer for us before He can rule for us. Second, and this is actually evident in John 10, the Jewish people at the time of Jesus wanted a Messiah to “kick Roman butt” and not save their souls. They wanted their version of the Messiah and not the reality of Messiah Jesus.
All six of these criterion are true and identifiable of the Messiah. However, what Asher fails to realize is that these are evidences of His second coming. His first coming was to suffer for us. His second coming is to rule over us. Asher and others either have his comings switched around or want to ignore the suffering aspect of the Messiah’s identity. Perhaps both.
Part two of this rebuttal will be more extensive on the question of geneaology. It is important that you read it when it comes available. It is important that you understand the arguments and the answers. To fail to do so might make one vulnerable to the incorrect teachings of Asher and other anti-missionaries. Jesus’ geneaology is too important to not understand. Be ready to read and respond when it is published.
Shalom! God bless.
