Rabbinic Views of Resurrection & Messiah!

*References from the Bible and Talmud (Jewish commentary).

 Is Isaiah 53 about the Messiah?

The Talmud (ancient rabbinical writings) stated his name will be the leper of the school of the House of Rabbi, because it is written, Therefore hath he borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed him as a leper, smitten of God and afflicted (Isa. 53:4). – Sanhedrin 98b.

Therefore, the ancients said the Messiah would come, suffer and die for the sins of the world.  Yet, the people, to whom he came, would consider him a leper and stay away.

They Shall Look Upon Me  (Zech. 12:10)

What is the cause of their mourning?  They mourn because of the killing of the Messiah, because it says, And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son. – Sukkah 52a.

From Sukkah 52a we understand that the ancients believed that the Messiah had to be pierced (crucified).

The Stone Rejected

 It is written (Psa. 118:21-25), I will praise thee because you heard my prayers, was said by David.  The stone that the builders rejected, was said by Jesse.  This is of the Lord’s doing, was said by his brethren.  This day the Lord make, was said by Samuel.  O Lord save us, was said by his brethren. O Lord prosper us, was said by David.  Blessed is he that came in the name of the Lord, was said by Jesse.  The Lord is good, He has given us all, was said by all of them. – Pesachim 119a. 

Rashi  (11^th century revered rabbi) comments that this stone means David who was a shepherd and then became king.  According to Jewish tradition, whenever the Bible mentions David it also means Messiah (2 Sam. 7:13-16): Nathan prophesied that David will be King forever – speaks of Messiah being King forever (David died at age 70).  When David is mentioned it speaks of the Messiah.

Rashi believed that the Messiah would be the rejected stone which would become the cornerstone.  Jesus said unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes (Matt. 21:42).

Messiah will Come to All Nations (Peoples, Heb. Goim or Gentiles)

Praise the Lord all ye nations (Psalm 117:1). 

What are the nations doing?  This is the meaning, ‘Praise the Lord all ye nations for the mighty and wonderful thing He did to them.’  How much more do we have to praise him for his grace (Pesachim 118b)?

This passage shows the grace of God applies to both Jew and Gentile.  Both need the grace of God for salvation.  God is gracious to both Jew and Gentile alike, although He has a special plan for the nation of Israel.

Resurrection

The just ones shall break forth through the earth and will go up to Jerusalem to live there, as it is written, And they will blossom like out of the city as grass of the earth (Psalm 72:16).  The just shall be resurrected in their clothing like a grain of wheat which is buried naked and comes forth clothed with different covers, the more so the righteous who are buried with clothing will come forth in clothing (Ketuboth 111b).

The ancient rabbis believed in the resurrection of the dead – The resurrection of the dead is also a NT teaching.

Messiah Will Come in Nisan

 Rabbi Joshua said: In Nisan they were redeemed and in Nisan they will be redeemed.  How do I know this?  Because it is written that Passover is a night of watchings (Exod. 12:42), which means a night which is continuously watched since the days of creation (Rosh Hashmah 11b).

The NT teaches that Yeshua is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29).  Christ (Messiah) our Passover also has been sacrificed (1 Cor. 5:7) It was on Passover when he died on the cross for our sins.

The crucifixion, this historic and eternal event took place in the month of Nisan as the ancients anticipated – the month of Passover.  His blood was shed as an atonement for our sins:

1. It is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul (Lev. 17:11).
2. Without the shedding of blood is no remission (Heb. 9:22).

Passion Week

When we celebrate the resurrection, remember, Jesus died and rose again on Passover – our communion tradition is based on Passover.  Christians believe in a Jewish Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus) – Christianity was birthed from the womb of Biblical Judaism.

We feed those who are living in terrible poverty within Israel.  Our principle focus is the children and Holocaust survivors, those who need it most.  Your donations empower us to have great impact bringing a meal and sharing the good news that Messiah Yeshua has come.

Shalom and Blessings,

Until He comes, we are
Together Under His Wings,

Dr. Jeff

Time is short, Life is precious, and Jesus is coming soon!