Learn about Jesus, by Dan Burr

Lesson 8 Class Preparation Material

Accepting Jesus Christ as the Promised Messiah

Think about a time when you experienced some form of physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual challenge. Where did you turn for help? Ancient prophets testified that the Messiah would come to comfort, strengthen, and heal us. As you study some of these sacred prophecies, consider how Jesus Christ, the Messiah, can help you.

Section 1

How can accepting Jesus Christ as the Messiah bring me healing?

Just as we watch for the Lord’s Second Coming, the covenant people in the Old Testament eagerly awaited the first coming of the Messiah, the deliverer. According to Old Testament prophets, the Messiah would be a descendant of King David and would free His people. “In the New Testament the deliverer is called the Christ, which is the Greek equivalent of Messiah” (Bible Dictionary, “Messiah”).

Isaiah wrote several prophecies about the Messiah and His mission (see Isaiah 9:6; 7:14–15; 11:1–9; 35:5; 51:4–8; 52:9–10). Watch “Isaiah Prophesied of Christ” (4:51), and ponder how Isaiah’s prophecies apply to the Messiah’s role in your life.

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Study in Preparation for Class

Read Isaiah 61:1–3, and consider marking words or phrases that describe the Messiah and His mission. (Note: Anciently, ashes were sprinkled on heads to express sorrow in times of grief and mourning. It was a custom to prepare for festivities by anointing oneself with oil and putting on festive clothing. Trees were often used as symbols of people.)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said of Isaiah 61:1–3, “Those verses would rank among the most moving and meaningful ever written, particularly in light of their true Messianic meaning” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 89).

The Prophet Isaiah Foretells Christ’s Birth, by Harry Anderson

While such prophecies filled the Jews with hope and expectations of deliverance, by New Testament times many “were looking only for a deliverer from the Roman power and for a greater national prosperity” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Messiah,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). When Jesus did not meet these expectations, many rejected His claim to be the long-promised Messiah.

Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth, by Greg K. Olsen

For example, at the beginning of His ministry, Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth and attended the synagogue on the Sabbath. He stood to read from the scriptures, opened the scroll, and read aloud Isaiah 61:1–2. He then proclaimed that He was the fulfillment of this Messianic prophecy (see Luke 4:16–21). Those present were stunned, became angry, and tried to kill Him (see Luke 4:22–30).

You can watch this event depicted in the video “Jesus Declares He Is the Messiah” (3:23).

Like the people in Nazareth, we each must decide if we will accept Jesus as the Messiah. Testifying of the personal nature of the Lord’s messianic mission, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

He lives—not only then, but now; not just for some, but for all. He came and comes to heal the brokenhearted, deliver the captives, recover sight to the blind, and set at liberty those who are bruised [see Luke 4:18]. That’s each of us. His redeeming promises apply, no matter our past, our present, or concerns for our future. (“Hosanna and Hallelujah—The Living Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 53)

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Ponder in Preparation for Class

How has the Messiah helped you when you have felt brokenhearted or experienced a bruised soul? If you are not sure how to answer this question, consider why it might be important to seek His help and healing power in your life.

Section 2

What did the Messiah do that enables Him to heal and help me?

You likely know from personal experience at least a little about suffering and pain. And you’ve probably seen it in the lives of others around you. Try to imagine what it may have been like for Jesus Christ to experience all human suffering—physical, emotional, and spiritual pain, for all people throughout all time, including you.

Isaiah 53 is one of the most insightful revelations in the scriptures about Jesus Christ’s suffering on our behalf. In fact, Elder Holland said it is “the most sublime, the lengthiest and most lyrical declaration of the life, death, and atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 89).

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Study in Preparation for Class

Read Isaiah 53:3–6, 8, 11–12, and consider marking what the Messiah experienced so He could heal and redeem you. (For additional help understanding Isaiah 53, you could read “The Gathering of Israel and the Coming of the Messiah: Isaiah 48–54,” from the Old Testament Student Manual.)

The Mocking of Christ, by Carl Heinrich Bloch

When the prophet Alma the Younger was preaching to the Nephites, he described the breadth and depth of the Messiah’s suffering.

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Study in Preparation for Class

Read Alma 7:11–12, and think carefully about what Jesus suffered and why. (Note: Succor means “to run to, or run to support; hence, to help or relieve when in difficulty, want or distress; to assist and deliver from suffering” (Webster’s Dictionary [1828].)

young adult woman looking sad

President Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, taught:

President Jean B. Bingham

In His 33 years of mortality, [Jesus Christ] suffered rejection; persecution; bodily hunger, thirst, and fatigue; loneliness; verbal and physical abuse; and finally, an excruciating death at the hands of sinful men. In the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross of Calvary, He felt all of our pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities.

No matter what we have suffered, He is the source of healing. Those who have experienced any manner of abuse, devastating loss, chronic illness or disabling affliction, untrue accusations, vicious persecution, or spiritual damage from sin or misunderstandings can all be made whole by the Redeemer of the world. However, He will not enter without invitation. We must come unto Him and allow Him to work His miracles. (“That Your Joy Might Be Full,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 86)

Addressing how the Lord succors us, President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency said:

President Dallin H. Oaks

Because of His Atonement, the Savior has the power to succor—to help—every mortal pain and affliction. Sometimes His power heals an infirmity, but the scriptures and our experiences teach that sometimes He succors or helps by giving us the strength or patience to endure our infirmities. (“Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 62)

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Record Your Thoughts

Think of someone you know who is struggling with a challenging situation. Consider writing a message you could share with them about Jesus Christ’s ability to strengthen and deliver us. If you feel prompted to do so, share it with them.

Want More? (Optional)

What did Book of Mormon prophets teach about the Messiah?

To learn what the Book of Mormon prophets said about the coming Messiah, read 1 Nephi 10:4–11; 2 Nephi 2:6–9; 25:12–18; and Mosiah 3:3–10.

How can the Lord help me to bear my burdens when I feel overwhelmed?

In the talk “Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 87), Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discussed how the Lord can strengthen us as we shoulder our burdens. Or you could watch the video “Bearing Our Burdens with Hope” (8:46) for a powerful depiction of having hope during challenging times.

In the video “The Savior Understands Me” (3:37), Elder Holland testified that Jesus Christ knows each of us personally because He has experienced our challenges and suffered our pains.

Where can I learn more about why many Jews did not accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah?

The article “Why Didn’t the Jews in Christ’s Time Recognize Him as the Messiah?” (Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Ensign, Apr. 1991, 53–54) explains the misunderstanding many people had about the Messiah when Jesus Christ came to earth.