Who Is Jesus Really?
October 18, 2026Pastor Patrick presented today's message, "Who Is Jesus Really?." A video of today's message is here on YouTube. It may help to be familiar with the message but that is not required to enjoy the thoughts below.
Today's message comes on the 7th of 12 weeks in the Book of Mark.
The first thing I wondered was what expectations did the Old Testament believers have of what they would need to do when the Messiah came. I share this AI response from a Google search as I found it interesting:
Old Testament View of the MessiahIf you do invite Jesus to sit on the throne of your heart, as Patrick suggested, it strikes me that the three items enumerated above would follow. The 3rd was something of a surprise to me, but is clearly of importance as well - maintain a hopeful attitude.
The Old Testament portrays the Messiah primarily as a conquering king who will restore Israel and establish peace. Key prophecies highlight various aspects of the Messiah's identity and mission:
Key Prophecies
Genesis 3:15 - Indicates that the Messiah will defeat Satan, symbolizing ultimate victory.
Isaiah 53 - Describes the suffering servant who atones for the sins of the people.
Isaiah 9:6-7 - Foretells a ruler who will bring peace and justice, emphasizing His authority.
Zechariah 12:10 - Predicts that the Messiah will be pierced, linking suffering with His kingship.
These passages collectively illustrate a dual role for the Messiah: as a powerful ruler and a suffering servant.
Our Response to the Messiah [what I was really after]:
Believers are encouraged to respond to the Messiah with obedience and active faith. This includes:
1. Following His Teachings: Embrace the moral and ethical teachings of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.
2. Sharing the Gospel: Actively spread the message of hope and salvation, reflecting the anticipation of His return.
3. Living in Expectation: Maintain a hopeful outlook for the Messiah's second coming, which is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
By understanding the Old Testament's portrayal of the Messiah, believers can deepen their faith and commitment to living out the principles of the Gospel.
C.S. Lewis Institute
foi.org
I also found it interesting that the Hebrew word for invite (kaw-raw', קָרָא) gets translated in a number of ways including invite, call (be called, call out to), mention, and proclaim. An invitation to follow can be more powerful and/or insistent than one might initially imagine at least to Old Testament folks (which Jesus' initial followers included).
Bonus
White as Snow
The Worship Team sang "Nothing but the Blood" this past Sunday. It's a fairly old contemporary song, used mostly by non-denominational churches or at mainliners' non-traditional services. However, I do remember playing/singing this song when I was in the praise band (bass guitar) at our Methodist church back in California (couple decades ago).
In my mind, "blood red" and "white as snow" where very New Testament concepts. But in doing research for this week's essay, I stumbled on something unexpected. There are red/white concepts in the Old Testament, too. The one I found first was Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool." (NLT)
The Hebrew word for snow is sheleg (שֶׁ). It's used about 19 times in the Old Testament. We don't think about snow when we think of the Middle East, but there are highlands where snow nourishes the ground. Snow would have been rare for most of the population, and therefor striking when it was observed. Interestingly, snow also had a connotation of hardship as it could trap unprepared people.
From BibleHub.com in the Topical Lexicon for sheleg, snow could allude to:
Miraculous judgment
Heroic deed
Climatic metaphor
Symbol of Purity and Forgiveness
Figure of Divine Judgment and Sovereignty
Imagery of Cold and Hardship
Leprosy and Whiteness in Biblical Theology
Prophetic and Eschatological Echoes
Assurance of forgiveness
Call to preparedness
Courage in adverse conditions
Trust in God's cycles
"In summary, snow (sheleg) weaves through Scripture as a tangible demonstration of God's authority over creation, a vivid emblem of absolute purity available through divine grace, and a practical metaphor for faithfulness amid difficulty. Its nineteen appearances invite worship, repentance, and resilient obedience."
Bonus2
Fiddler on the Roof
Speaking of Old Testament stories and attitudes, you might be interested to know that First Company Theatre of Colorado Springs is presenting Fiddler on the Roof through November 1st. This is a 1964 musical telling the story of Tevye, a poor milkman, and his struggle to keep the traditions with strong-willed daughters and an increasingly hostile world situation in 1905 Imperial Russia. Tickets.
Bonus3
Christians Have a Responsibility to Vote
From the video description: "Should Christians stay out of politics, or does faith demand civic responsibility? Pastor Rob McCoy, former mayor of Thousand Oaks, California, and co-founder of TPUSA Faith, joins PragerU CEO Marissa Streit to discuss the erosion of Judeo-Christian values and what it will take to preserve Western civilization. From his friendship with Charlie Kirk and the Ten Commandments' influence on America's founding principles to political apathy, religious freedom in South Korea, and the rise of antisemitism, McCoy explains why he believes the church must reclaim its role as society's moral conscience. With the midterms approaching, are Christians doing enough to defend the principles that made America free?" Video (72 minutes): Christians Have a Responsibility to Vote | Pastor Rob McCoy.
