The Two Messiahs

by Lyn Kost

June 2021

A little known fact in the scriptures that I’ve wanted to delve into was the belief of 2 different Messiahs referenced in the Old and New Testaments. If you haven’t heard of this before, please stick with me; I am not trying to make some new theology but I rather want to bring some understanding of Old Testament mindsets to highlight some New Testament conversations and writings. This belief of 2 different Messiahs has been around for at least 2700 years and was commonly interpreted as such before, during and after Jesus’ lifetime.

Rabbis studying the prophecies concerning the coming Messiah realized that there were conflicting characteristics concerning His appearance. They could see the Messiah coming to serve, suffer and die on our behalf. They also saw the Messiah conquering and setting up a kingdom to rule. To differentiate the contradictions they resolved to believe that there would be two different Messiahs to come and categorized the prophecies in that way.

After the evolution of Christianity much of that mindset has been lost or forgotten because easily said, “Jesus fulfilled the role of the Suffering Servant”, and “Jesus will fulfill the role of the Conquering King”. Even so both Old and New Testament scriptures take on new depths when this understanding is applied to them. Let’s first look at the Suffering Servant and some of the Old Testament Messianic Prophecies concerning Him.

The Suffering Messiah

Having history on our side, Jesus can easily be seen fulfilling the role of the Suffering Messiah. The entirety of Isaiah 53 describes the characteristics of this Suffering Servant. In Zechariah 12:10, Isaiah 29:18-19 and Isaiah 35:5-10 the effects of His coming are detailed. Dubbed generations before His birth, “Mashiach ben Yosef” (Messiah son of Joseph); this Messiah was known as a Man of Sorrows, Smitten by God and Rejected by Men. He is in scriptures recognized by His wounds for our transgressions, His bruises for our iniquities and His chastisement for our peace. The result for those that are His are of eyes that see out of obscurity, the lame leaping like a hart, the Spirit of grace and supplication being poured out and as it were streams in the desert.

Originally the Suffering Messiah was named “Messiah son of Joseph” because it was seen that His life would resemble that of Joseph’s. He would be hated, feared and rejected by His brothers. His suffering would precede the salvation of the world. He would even be lifted up among the Gentiles. I find it more than coincidental that the “Messiah son of Joseph’s” earthly father was in fact named Joseph.

The Suffering Messiah is mentioned coming “lowly and riding upon an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9) In biblical times riding a donkey was a sign of a peaceful approach. No one went to war riding on a donkey. Jesus fulfilled this in John 12:12-15. Isaiah 53 is referenced throughout the New Testament in context with Jesus as the Suffering Messiah. (Matthew 8:17; Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37; John 12:37-38; Acts 8:32-33; Romans 10:16; 1 Peter 2:24-25)

The Ruling Messiah

Like Isaiah 53 described the Suffering Messiah, the entirety of Psalm 72 describes the Ruling Messiah and His effect over all the earth. Among other Old Testament Prophecies concerning Him Jeremiah 23:5 speaks of Him as King Messiah. Isaiah 11:1-10 and Psalm 72: 1-19 clearly foretell of the Ruling Messiah coming to bring peace and establish His Kingdom. He is seen as the Messiah who rules or delivers in verses like Daniel 7:13-14 and Isaiah 9:6.

Like the Suffering Messiah the Ruling Messiah was also given a name; Mashiach ben David (Messiah son of David). This name also suggests a parallel or likeness between Israel’s King David and the Ruling Messiah. Some of these similarities include King David, through a covenant with God, founding an everlasting dynasty. In that everlasting dynasty there was an expanding of the boarders of Israel and the building of “a house for God.”

In the New Testament apostle John saw the Conquering King riding on a white horse. (Revelation 19:11) This was not a reference to the Suffering Servant. The horse is what was used for riding into battle. This is a sign of the Conquering King’s approach to battle. The imagery is clear and understandable. Yet both natures of Jesus are required though to understand where we are going next.

What Were They Thinking?

Let’s look at some biblical situations now with the two Messiahs in mind. In Matthew 22:41-46 the Pharisees are having a back and forth with Jesus. For those who are not aware the word “Messiah” can also be translated as “Christ”.

⁴¹ While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, ⁴² saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.” ⁴³ He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: ⁴⁴ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’? ⁴⁵ If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?” ⁴⁶ And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore. (Matthew 22:41-46)

Now we have probably all heard at least one good sermon on why David calls his Son “Lord”. Although Jesus deals with the Messiah’s ancestry and deity; the question hiding within the conversation was “Which Messiah are you expecting to see?” The Pharisees’ answer was “The Conquering King Messiah”. The Pharisees were the main religious teachers in the day, so it goes to follow that what they believed trickled down to the rest of the Hebrew nation.

There was once two blind men found in Matthew 20:29-31.

²⁹ Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. ³⁰ And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” ³¹ Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” (Matthew 20:29-31)

Now Jesus healed them in the nature of the Suffering Messiah although they were addressing Him as the Ruling Messiah. Interesting huh? This story continues over into Chapter 21 where the multitude that was earlier trying to shush the blind men was now cheering.

⁹ Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)

We might look at this as irony because if you remember the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53:3 is “rejected by men” and “we did not esteem Him”. You could argue that the crowds were in fact calling out to Jesus and I would agree with you that they were but they were actually rejecting the Suffering Servant while cheering for the Conquering King. Either way the Ruling Messiah is what everyday people were hoping for.

Let’s look at one more instance. This is one of my favorites because of the key that Jesus gives. Jesus had just raised the son of a widow in Nain from the dead. Excitement swept through the multitudes and we see John the Baptist’s disciples.

¹⁸ Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. ¹⁹ And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” ²⁰ When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” ²¹ And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. ²² Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. ²³ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Luke 7:18-23)

Again we have probably heard some good sermons on this passage as well. But with the two Messiahs in mind let’s look at this passage again. John heard of the works that Jesus was doing. I very much doubt that he questioned if Jesus was the Messiah. John had already baptized Jesus, saw the Holy Spirit descend like a dove on Him and proclaim Him the “Lamb of God”. I have no doubt that he already knew that Jesus was the foretold coming Messiah. I believe John was asking “Which Messiah are you?” Jesus answered quoting scripture describing the nature of the Suffering Messiah. (Isaiah 35:5-6)

Why Were They Thinking That Way?

I think perhaps John may have expected the Conquering King. It was a prevailing thought at the time although it is not directly mentioned. The Conquering King would definitely free a righteous follower in prison. The mindset of the Conquering Ruling King Messiah was what all of Israel was hoping to appear. From the Pharisees to John the Baptist to common folk and even to the disciples; everybody was expecting Jesus the Conqueror. Why though?

At the time two words could answer that question. Roman Rule. Israel was not a free nation by any means. They paid taxes to Cesar, had not necessarily good authorities over them and had no real national identity like they did in the time of David and Solomon. The promise of an Everlasting Kingdom being set up, the dispelling of all enemies, peace and prosperity under an unbeatable King. Who wouldn’t be looking and longing for that?

Jesus’ answer to John has a very important key in it. But it is with the two natures of the Messiah that you turn it. Jesus answered John quoting scripture describing His nature as the Suffering Messiah, but He ends with this “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

So It Was, So It Is

This key works in our favor today just as it always has. We want a Conquering Messiah, we are sent a Suffering Messiah. We want those glorified bodies, we get aging flesh and bone. We want the just and righteous ruling and reigning to begin, we are sent One Who we can’t or won’t look upon. He’s not Who we expect or maybe even prayed for. I’m asking for a great harvest and I am given a single seed.

Look at Peter’s response to Jesus foretelling of His crucifixion and resurrection. (Matthew 16:21-23) Look at the gifts of the Magi again. (Matthew 2:11) Around Christmas-time we always say “Those were gifts for a King”. I think everybody expected somebody else.

But the key is “blessed is he who is not offended because of Me”. In other words embrace the unembracable. Look upon the gift that you didn’t want or thought you asked for. God doesn’t arrive the way that we want Him to; He comes as He comes. Don’t be offended by it, be blessed by it. In time that seed will become that harvest. In time that rejected Suffering Servant on a donkey will return on a horse and drive off the enemy for good and rule and reign eternally without question.­­