Posted by The Bible answer for the all misconceptions in Christianity | www.answerofbible.com on Saturday, 23 January 2016
Jews had been in anticipating
before the birth of Jesus not only for the advent of John and Jesus according
to the prophecies but they have eagerly looking forward for the advent of the
third person “That Prophet” promised in the prophecies which we can see in the
flowing inquiry of the priests sent by Jews to John.
Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent
priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and
did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What
then? Are you Elijah?” He said “I am not.” “Are you that prophet?” And he
answered, “No.” – John
1:19-21
On careful examination of the
above verse it can be well ascertained that the then Jews were looking forward
for the three persons those are- 1. Jesus 2. Elijah 3. That Prophet.
What the reason behind the eager anticipation of Jews for the advent of the
promised That Prophet is that- it had been mentioned about his advent in the
following prophecy.
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like
me you’re your midst, from your brethren. -Deuteronomy 18:15
The Apostle also had mentioned
about the advent of “that prophet” according to the above prophecy after Jesus
having ascended to heaven as follows.
For Moses truly said to the fathers, The Lord your God
will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren. And it shall be
that every soul who will not hear “that prophet” shall be utterly destroyed
from among the people. – Acts 3:22, 23
However what the argument of the
preachers is that- The promised that prophet is none other than Jesus. But what
important to note is that Jesus himself refutes that he was not that prophet about
whom the promise was made in prophecy.
WHAT JESUS HAS
CLARIFIED ABOUT HIMSELF WHETHER HE WAS “THAT PROPHET” OR “MESSIAH?”
Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this
saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet” Others said, “This is the Christ.”
But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the scripture said
that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem,
where David was?” So there was a division among the people because of Him. – John 7:42, 43
According to the above verse is
can be well understood that there was a confusion raised among the people
regarding Jesus that whether he was Messiah or promised that prophet! Now let
us see what Jesus has given the clarification to take away their confusion
towards him in the following verse.
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon
peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” Jesus
answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and
blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 16:16,
17
JESUS HIMSELF
REFUTES THAT HE IS NOT THE PROMISED “THAT PROPHET”
There has been raised a confusion
about Jesus among the people that whether he was Messiah or promised that
prophet! Seeing their confusion Jesus has asked to his immediate dispels to
know what actually they believe about him to be. And asked them saying “But
what do you say that I am?” having heard him Simon peter immediately responded
saying “You are the Christ, the son of the living Father.” Jesus answered
immediately “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah for the flesh and blood has not
revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” This part of the verse
underlines on the fact that God has revealed about the status of Jesus that he was
Messiah but God has not revealed that Jesus was “that prophet” about whom God
has revealed and promised before hand in the prophecies. If this be fact how
far it is reasonable to argue saying “Jesus was the that prophet promised in
the prophecy (Deu 18:15,17) while Jesus confirm about himself to be “Messiah.”
