Speedily cause the offspring of your servant David to flourish, and let him be exalted by your saving power, for we wait all day long for your salvation. Blessed are you, O Lord, who causes salvation to flourish.
In Fiddler on the Roof Motel says to the Rabbi: “we've been waiting all our lives for the Messiah. Wouldn't now be a good time for Him to come?”
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:3)
Maimonides says: “Whoever does not believe in him (Messiah), or does not await his coming, denies not only the other prophets but also the Torah and Moses, our teacher, for the Torah attests to his coming.”
The Scripture is filled with verses which tell us who to look for as we long for the Messiah. They speak of His lineage (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:19; 28:13-14; 49:10; Isaiah 11:1; 2 Samuel 17:11-16) The Messiah will be from the house and lineage of King David.
He will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14); at a specific time (Daniel 9:24-27). His birth will attract shepherds and kings (Nu 24:17; Ps 72:10-13; Isaiah 60:1-7). Herod would try to kill him (Jer 31:5) and his family would go to Egypt (Hos 11:1).
He will be preceded by Elijah the Prophet (Isa 40:3-5; Mal 4:5). He will be anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isa 61:1-2). He will be a man of peace (Isa 42:1-6) and righteousness (Isa 11:4). He will come as a prophet (Deut 18:18). He will bring a New Covenant (Isa 42:6-7; Jer 31:31).
He will begin his ministry in Galilee (Isa 9:1-2). He will cure the sick (Is 35:1-6), still the storms (Ps 107:29-30); teach in parables (Ps 78:1-2). When he comes to Jerusalem, he will ride a donkey (Zech 9:9) and cleanse the Temple (Hag 2:6-9; Mal 3:1-4).
He will be betrayed by a friend (Ps 41:9; 55:11-14) for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11:12-13). He will be taken to the rulers who will falsely accuse him and die for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Zech 12:10; Ps 34:19-20). He is the offering that will save our lives (Ex 12:6; Ge 22; Lev 16). He will be buried with the rich (Isa 53:9), but will not stay in the grave (Ps 16:9-10; 49:14; 71:19-20). He will ascend to heaven (Ps 68:18), and come again.
At Christmas we sing, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.” Paul wrote: “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph 3:7-12)
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