In the first century, the Jewish people were deeply rooted in their religious beliefs and traditions.

They anticipated the arrival of the Messiah, a savior who would deliver them from their suffering and establish a reign of righteousness on earth.

However, when Jesus of Nazareth stepped into the scene, many Jews failed to recognize him as the awaited Messiah.

They struggled to reconcile their preconceived notions about the Messiah with the humble, compassionate, and revolutionary figure of Jesus.

One of the main reasons why many first-century Jews did not understand Jesus as the Christ was the nature of his ministry.

The Jewish people were expecting a political leader, a triumphant King who would overthrow the Roman oppressors.

However, Jesus was not a political revolutionary. He was a teacher, a healer, and a preacher of love and forgiveness. He came to serve, not to be served (Matthew 20:28).

Jesus' teachings also challenged the religious authorities of his time. He criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and questioned the Sadducees about their understanding of the Scriptures.

His teachings were often revolutionary and contradicted the established norms. Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was accessible to all people, not just the religious elite. This radical inclusivity was difficult for many first-century Jews to accept.

Another factor was Jesus' claim to divinity. The Jewish faith is strictly monotheistic, and the claim that Jesus was the Son of God was considered blasphemous. In John 10:33,

the Jews accuse Jesus of blasphemy because "you, being a man, make yourself God." This fundamental misunderstanding prevented many from accepting Jesus as the Messiah.

Despite these obstacles, some Jews did recognize Jesus as the Messiah. They saw in his miracles, teachings, and resurrection, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

These Jews became the first Christians, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.

In conclusion, the first-century Jews' inability to understand Jesus as the Christ stemmed from a combination of political expectations, religious misunderstandings, and a lack of spiritual insight.

This serves as a reminder for us to approach the Word of God with an open heart and mind, ready to accept God's truth as it is, not as we want it to be.

We are reminded in Acts 16:31, "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved

Thank the Lord JESUS For all things good!!!

if you want to know more about Jesus contact me

Marshall McLeod 270-519-6244