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Humble Hero
Expecting a False Messiah
The Jews had no true concept of the Messiah’s mission. They
did not seek to be redeemed from sin but to be delivered from the
Romans. They looked for the Messiah to exalt Israel to rulership
over the world. This prepared the way for them to reject the Savior.
When Christ was born, the nation was restless under the rule of
foreign masters and was racked with internal strife. The Romans
appointed and removed the high priest, and evil men often secured
the office by bribery and even murder. So the priesthood became
more and more corrupt. The people were under merciless demands,
and the Romans also taxed them heavily. Widespread discontent,
greed, violence, distrust, and spiritual apathy were eating out the
heart of the nation. In their darkness and oppression, the people
longed for One who would restore the kingdom to Israel. They had
studied the prophecies, but without spiritual insight. They interpreted
prophecy in harmony with their selfish desires.
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