Sign of the Messiah 

Memory Verse: "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40).

Scripture Reading: Mark 14:53-62.

Introduction: Messiah! The very word would stir the excitement of the people of Palestine. The idea of a Deliverer of their people had long captured their thoughts and hopes, with good reason. This hope seemed converged upon their own age: the age which Jesus was born.
  Four centuries had now been spent under captivity to others, with only the teachings of Moses and the law. Many devout took comfort in the precious counsel in the prophecies of old, as they struggled against the deadly assaults of paganism, until at last the silence was broken by the cry: "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Also proclaimed with this message was the "ruler" of this coming kingdom--the Messiah.
  The Jews had waited a long time for their promised King. As the turmoil grew more intense concerning Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees demanded a sign from Him. The Savior pointed to their religious depravity; how that in the face of many prophecies, miracles, and wonders, they were still so blinded to seek a more special sign. Jesus accepted this challenge from the skeptics; and for the skeptics of all the world a sign was given by which He would prove that He was indeed the true Messiah.
  The sign Jesus gave was a simple one, profound in that it would be the crowning miracle: "There shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:39,40).

Questions:

1. Why had the Hebrew people long envisioned a Messiah would come to deliver them? Genesis 49:10; Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 9:6-8; 62:11; Romans 11:26.

2. Why were some expecting the appearance of a Messiah about the time of Christ's birth? Daniel 9:25.

3. Did Jesus claim to be this Messiah of prophecy? Luke 4:16-21; Matthew 11:2-6; Luke 24:26,27; John 4:25,26. (Note: In all instances where the word "Christ" appears it refers to the Messiah; see John 1:41).

4. Did the close disciples of Jesus (apostles) believe He was the Messiah? John 1:40-42; Matthew 16:16-20.

5. Why do you think the apostles and others wavered in their belief in Jesus? Luke 24:12-32; John 20:9.

6. How did the people of Israel react to Christ? John 7:40-43.

7. Did Martha recognize the Messiah? John 11:27.

8. What did Paul and John say as to whether Jesus was Messiah? Acts 9:22; 17:2,3; 1 John 5:1.

9. What sign did Jesus give to prove Himself as the true Messiah? How many hours were involved? Matthew 12:39,40; John 11:9.

10. Was Jesus aware that others would make claim to Messiah-ship? Matthew 24:23,24; 1 John 4:1.