Introduction: When Jesus came on the scene, the people of Israel were looking for a Messiah. Many false Messiahs had already come and gone. Some people thought John the Baptist was the Messiah. But he pointed to Jesus, and said he was not worthy to untie Jesus' shoes. There are many Old Testament verses that foretold a Messiah to come, and speak clearly of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 22:14-18 cannot be read without thinking of Jesus' crucifixion.
Isaiah 53:3-6 describes what we call the "vicarious atonement"

Psalm 45 is also "Messianic." It gives important information about the Messiah. What could an Old Testament believer have known about the coming Messiah from reading and meditating on Psalm 45?

I. The Messiah would be a man (2a).

I Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

Jesus was a true human being. Born of Mary in Bethlehem. Grew up in Nazareth. He got sick, He got tired. He learned to read and write in school with the other Jewish boys. He studied the Old Testament. He worked with His hands, as a carpenter with Joseph. He was unrecognized until He revealed Himself at the age of 30 in the synagogue. He had to be a true man in order to represent mankind to God, and to die for our sins.

II. The Messiah would be a great preacher of God's grace (2b).

John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

John 1:17 "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

He came to save us, not to condemn us. He preached salvation by grace, not salvation by works of the Law. He urged us to be like the Publican who prayed for God's mercy, and went home justified.

III. The Messiah would establish truth, humility and righteous on the earth (4).

After His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus ascended into Heaven, where He is today. But He will return to establish His Kingdom. At this present time, there is not much truth, humility and righteousness among the nations of the world. But when Jesus returns, He will establish truth, humility and righteousness worldwide in all the nations. The prophecy of Isaiah that stands in front of the United Nations building will become a reality:

Isaiah 2:4 "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

IV. The Messiah would rule all the nations of the earth forever (5-6).

Revelation 11:15 "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." (This verse provides the text for Handel's great Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah.)

There is a very real sense in which Christ is ruling the nations at this very moment. He is in charge of history. But there is coming a day when He will return, and He will reign in person, and in all the fullness of His power and majesty. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen!

V. The Messiah would be God in the flesh, yet also blessed BY God (6-7). Here we find a hint of the Trinity doctrine.

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

This is just one of a number of Old Testament verses that hint at God's nature as a "Trinity." Another verse is Proverbs 30:4...

"Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?"

Jesus is truly man, but He is also truly God. He is the God-man. As man He could die for our sins. As God in the flesh, His death had enough value to make an effective atonement.

Conclusion: Old Testament believers knew a great deal about the coming Messiah, and they looked forward to His appearing. What about you? Have you received Jesus, the Messiah, as your Lord and Savior? If not, why not do so today?