If Jesus Be the Messiah, Tell Us Plainly. He DID!

Jesus was often asked if He was the coming Messiah. If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. (John 10:24) The thing is, he had told them plainly many times, that is, anyone well versed in the Scriptures, by using a technique called "remez".

For instance, if I were to use this phrase in conversation with you, "As for me and my house", you could easily finish it by saying, "we will serve the LORD"  because you are quite familiar with this scripture in Joshua 24:15. I would be able to convey the entire scripture and the message it carries without saying it because your mind easily fills in the rest and you know exactly what is meant by it.

Well, Jesus used the same technique many times throughout the Gospels. Take a look at what Jesus said in Luke 19:10 for example -

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

There are two such "remez-type" references in this one sentence and in that day the Jews, who were very well schooled in the scriptures and memorized entire chapters, would have known immediately what he meant.

The first is when he referred to himself as the "Son of man". See how this hearkens back to the book of Daniel.

Dan 7:13-14  I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.  (14)  And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

This is obviously talking about the Messiah returning to set up the everlasting Kingdom of God. By referring to Himself as the "Son of man", he was telling those who knew Scripture that he was indeed the One to come, the Messiah. So, He DID tell them plainly.

They were without excuse as Jesus referred to Himself as the "Son of man" 82 times in the Gospels! 


The second remez in Luke 19:10 referenced the words, "seek", "save" and "lost". For this one, we go back to the book of Ezekiel.

Eze 34:11  For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

Eze 34:16  I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

Eze 34:22  Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.

Whom did it say seeks and saves that which was lost? Clearly and plainly, the Lord GOD!

To those who knew their Scripture, by referring to Himself as the one who came to seek and save that which was lost, Jesus was plainly telling them that He was that One, the Messiah.

The rest of Ezekiel chapter 34 condemns the religious leaders of the day for not seeking after that which was lost and tending the flock over which they had been given charge to shepherd. Likewise, in addition to claiming Messiah-ship, Jesus was doing the same through the remez in Luke 19:10.

All this in just one sentence!

Jesus DID plainly tell them that He is the Messiah! If any man have an ear, let him hear.


This just goes to show that we must know our Scripture well if we are to fully comprehend the Word of God and show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth! (2Tim 2:15)

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