Learn the Story of Jesus
Season 1: Waiting for a Savior
1.3 — Waiting for the Messiah
Waiting for the Messiah: God’s promises gave hope as generations waited for the coming Savior.
1.3 — Waiting for the Messiah
Promises, Prophecies, and Hope for the Coming Savior
For generations, God’s people waited for the Messiah.
The Old Testament prophets spoke of a coming Savior who would bring redemption, peace, justice, healing, and restoration.
These promises created hope during difficult times.
God’s people experienced slavery, exile, foreign rule, war, suffering, and uncertainty.
Yet through every season, God continued reminding them that a Savior was coming.
Many people longed for freedom from oppression.
Others hoped for a righteous King like David.
Some expected a prophet like Moses.
Others believed the Messiah would restore Israel’s glory and defeat its enemies.
The promises about the Messiah became deeply important to Jewish faith and worship.
By the time Jesus was born, many people were watching and waiting for God to fulfill His promises.
Yet many people misunderstood what kind of Savior Jesus would be.
They expected political power.
Jesus came bringing something greater:
forgiveness, salvation, reconciliation with God, and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Scripture References
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6–7
Isaiah 53
Micah 5:2
Jeremiah 31:31–34
Daniel 7:13–14
Luke 2:25–38
Matthew 1:18–23
What Is a Messiah?
The word Messiah means “Anointed One.”
In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and prophets were often anointed with oil as a sign that God had chosen them for a special purpose.
The promised Messiah would be the ultimate Savior and King sent by God.
In the New Testament, the Greek word Christ has the same meaning.
Jesus Christ means:
Jesus the Messiah.
Christians believe Jesus fulfilled the promises and prophecies spoken throughout the Old Testament.
Prophecies About the Messiah
The Old Testament contains many promises about the coming Savior.
Some prophecies spoke about His birth.
Others described His mission, suffering, kingdom, and eternal rule.
The prophet Isaiah spoke of a child who would be called:
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace.
Micah prophesied that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem.
Isaiah 53 described a suffering servant who would bear the sins of many.
Daniel saw visions of an everlasting kingdom that would never end.
Jeremiah spoke about a new covenant between God and His people.
These promises gave hope during difficult generations of waiting.
Understanding the Story
Why Did the People Long for a Messiah?
God’s people experienced many hardships throughout their history.
They faced foreign oppression, exile, poverty, conflict, and political control by powerful empires.
Many believed the Messiah would rescue them and restore God’s Kingdom.
Why Did Some People Misunderstand Jesus?
Many expected the Messiah to become a political ruler or military leader.
Jesus came first as a suffering Savior who offered forgiveness and salvation.
His Kingdom was greater than political power alone.
What Is Prophecy?
Biblical prophecy is a message revealed by God through prophets.
Some prophecies warned people to repent.
Others pointed toward future events and God’s promises.
Many Old Testament prophecies point toward Jesus Christ.
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding Old Testament prophecy helps readers see how the Bible connects together.
The life, death, resurrection, and ministry of Jesus fulfill promises spoken centuries earlier.
Key Themes
God Keeps His Promises
Even after generations of waiting, God remained faithful.
Hope Continued During Difficult Times
The promise of the Messiah gave people hope during suffering and uncertainty.
Jesus Fulfilled Old Testament Prophecy
Christians believe Jesus fulfilled promises spoken throughout the Old Testament.
God’s Plans Are Greater Than Human Expectations
Many people expected political rescue.
Jesus came offering eternal salvation and reconciliation with God.
Why This Lesson Matters
Waiting for the Messiah reminds believers that God’s promises remain trustworthy even during long seasons of waiting.
It also helps readers better understand why the arrival of Jesus created such excitement, confusion, celebration, and opposition.
The Jewish people were not simply waiting for a teacher.
They were waiting for the fulfillment of centuries of promises.
This lesson also helps Christians understand how the Old Testament and New Testament connect together as one unified story of redemption.
Connecting to Jesus
Jesus did not appear randomly in history.
His coming had been promised for generations.
Christians believe Jesus fulfilled prophecy through:
His birth,
His teachings,
His miracles,
His suffering,
His death,
His resurrection,
and His eternal Kingdom.
Jesus revealed that God’s plan was larger than many people expected.
He came not only for Israel, but for the salvation of the world.
Living the Message
Waiting for the Messiah teaches believers to trust God even when fulfillment seems delayed.
This week:
Spend time reading one Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah.
Read one Gospel passage showing how Jesus fulfilled that promise.
Reflect on ways God has remained faithful in your own life.
Pray for patience and hope during seasons of waiting.
Reflection Questions
Why were people waiting for the Messiah?
Possible answers:
God had promised a Savior through the Old Testament prophets.
Many people hoped the Messiah would bring peace, freedom, justice, and restoration.
The people longed for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
What kinds of Savior were many people expecting?
Possible answers:
Many expected a powerful king or military leader who would defeat Israel’s enemies and restore the kingdom.
Others hoped for a prophet, teacher, or deliverer sent by God.
Some expected political freedom more than spiritual salvation.
How did Jesus fulfill Old Testament promises?
Possible answers:
Jesus fulfilled prophecies about the Messiah through His birth, teachings, miracles, suffering, death, resurrection, and eternal Kingdom.
Christians believe He fulfilled promises spoken centuries before His coming.
Why is prophecy important for understanding Jesus?
Possible answers:
Prophecy helps show how the Old Testament and New Testament connect together.
It reveals God’s faithfulness and helps explain why Christians believe Jesus is the promised Messiah.
What does this lesson teach about God’s faithfulness?
Possible answers:
God keeps His promises even when fulfillment takes a long time.
God continued working during generations of waiting and silence.
Believers can trust that God remains faithful in every season.
GROW Framework
Grounded in Scripture
The Old Testament repeatedly points toward the coming Messiah fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Reasons We Believe
Jesus fulfilled promises and prophecies spoken centuries before His birth.
Obedience in Action
Trust God’s promises even during seasons when answers seem delayed.
Walk It Out
Read Isaiah 53 or Isaiah 9 this week and reflect on what these passages teach about the coming Savior.
Continue Learning
Waiting for a Savior: 1.4 — The Feasts of the Lord
Waiting on a Savior: 1.3: The World Jesus Entered
Understanding Jesus: Cultural Insights
Feasts and Festivals in the Time of Jesus
Learn the Story of God and of the Old Testament
The world waited for the Messiah.
God’s promises were moving toward fulfillment.
When the time was right, Jesus Christ entered the world as the promised Savior.
Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith at PGUM.org.
