Why is the Jewish theological idea of a messiah different from the Christian presenation of Jesus as such?

Question

A Jewish Messiah
Judaism, unlike the Christianity, does not believe that the Messiah is Jesus. The noun moshiach (translated as messiah) annotatively means "annointed one;" it does not, however, imply "savior." The notion of an innocent, semi-divine being who will sacrifice himself to save us from the consequences of our own sins is a purely Christian concept that has no basis in Jewish thought or scripture. In Judaic texts, the term messiah was used for all kings, high priests, certain warriors, but never eschatological figures. In the Tanach, moshiach is used 38 times: two patriarchs, six high priests, once for Cyrus, 29 Israelite kings such as Saul and David. Not once is the word moshiach used in reference to the awaited Messiah. Even in the apocalyptic book of Daniel, the only time moshiach is mentioned is in connection to a murdered high priest. The Dead Sea Scrolls, the Pseudepigrapha, and Apocrypha never mention the Messiah.

http://www.messiahtruth.com/response.html

Answer 1

In Judiasm there is no concept of 'original sin' and thus we do not require 'saving'.

Judaism is very clear on how to recognize the real messiah; there are details of specific events that will occur. For example, the real messiah will bring world peace. Clearly, Jesus did not.

The Jews knew Jesus; he was a Rabbi, or teacher, and they respected him for this. If he had been the messiah, they would have happily embraced him. But he wasn't. Those that say he was, and who consequently developed Christianity, such as Paul, NEVER EVEN MET JESUS.

So Christians choose to take the word of Paul, who never met Jesus, as opposed to the Jews, who knew him very well.

Yeah, 'cause that makes real sense. Not.

Answer 2

Interesting, isn't it? Especially when you start digging a little deeper into all of the prophecies. The one's they claim Jesus fulfilled. I know many who include the idea that he died and would return later to be a prophecy... by any chance, do you know where that one is in the Old Test? I haven't found it. Nor have I found one that claims that one must believe in the Messiah in order for the Biblical God to save them. Odd how God saved his people from Egypt when it shows that many of them really didn't believe in him... they did, after all, make a golden calf to worship, etc... Yet somehow a human sacrifice suddenly saves everyone who simply believes?

Now look what you did. You got me started... and now they'll be saying I'm trying to "win your soul" or some weird stuff like that lol =)

Answer 3

I figure your explanation is quite adequate. Why did you ask if you were going to answer it yourself?

My own take: because the Jewish description was a very old tradition, and the Christians made an attempt to match up the story of Jesus to it, but instead made it sound more like the anti-Christ.

Frankly, I cannot take any of it very seriously.

Answer 4

Um. Jesus fulfilled all the Jewish prophecies (at least, the authentic ones that really came from Jehovah!) of who Messiah would be. They rejected Him because they misunderstood Him. They thought he would be a warrior who would deliver them from Roman rule and set up a kingdom on earth that would be around forever. When He didn't they thought He was a liar etc. and killed him. But He is the Jewish Messiah who was prophesied about all those years ago.

Answer 5

"The notion of an innocent, semi-divine being who will sacrifice himself to save us from the consequences of our own sins is a purely Christian concept..."

This concept was present in several religious sects of the first centuries of the common era (Mithras, Osiris-Bacchus, etc.).

Answer 6

Jesus life story is just a rip off of Mthras

Answer 7

The Jewish idea of the Messiah is that of a conquering king.

The Christian idea is that of a suffering servant who will, in time, be the coming king.