Topical Bible: Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Meekness and Want of Ostentatious

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The prophecies concerning the Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures often highlight His character traits, notably His meekness and lack of ostentation. These attributes are significant in understanding the nature of Christ's mission and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Meekness in Prophecy

The concept of meekness is deeply rooted in the prophetic literature concerning the Messiah. Isaiah 42:1-3 provides a vivid portrayal of the Servant of the Lord, a passage traditionally understood to refer to the Messiah:

"Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; in faithfulness He will bring forth justice." (Isaiah 42:1-3)

This passage emphasizes the Messiah's gentle and humble approach, contrasting with the often harsh and loud proclamations of earthly rulers. The imagery of not breaking a bruised reed or extinguishing a smoldering wick underscores His compassion and tender care for the weak and downtrodden.

Fulfillment in Christ

The New Testament writers identify Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of these prophecies. In Matthew 12:18-21, the Gospel writer explicitly connects Jesus' ministry with Isaiah's prophecy, highlighting His meekness and gentle spirit:

"Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory. In His name the nations will put their hope." (Matthew 12:18-21)

Jesus' life and ministry consistently demonstrated this meekness. He often withdrew from public attention (Matthew 12:15-16) and instructed those He healed to tell no one about Him (Mark 1:43-44). His entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9, further exemplified His humility:

"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9)

Lack of Ostentation

The Messiah's lack of ostentation is another key aspect of His prophetic profile. Unlike earthly kings who often seek to display their power and wealth, the Messiah's mission was marked by simplicity and humility. Isaiah 53:2-3 describes the Servant's unassuming appearance and the rejection He would face:

"He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not." (Isaiah 53:2-3)

This prophecy underscores the Messiah's lack of worldly splendor and the humility of His earthly life. Jesus' birth in a manger, His upbringing in Nazareth, and His association with the marginalized and sinners all reflect this prophetic vision.

Conclusion

The prophecies concerning the Messiah's meekness and lack of ostentation are profoundly fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. His gentle and humble approach, as foretold by the prophets, stands in stark contrast to the expectations of a conquering king, revealing the true nature of His redemptive mission.