The lesson focuses on understanding why first-century Jews struggled to recognize the true mission of Jesus as the Messiah. Jared Street frames the discussion using historical context: Israel had been without political independence for centuries, enduring successive rule by foreign powers including the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Romans.

Because of this long history of subjugation, the Jewish people naturally fixated on Old Testament covenant promises and prophecies that spoke of an everlasting kingdom and a king sitting on David's throne. Prophecies from Second Samuel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah were interpreted as promises of a military leader or political king who would defeat foreign oppressors like Rome and restore earthly sovereignty to Israel. Consequently, passages predicting a suffering servant—such as Isaiah 53—were largely overlooked or misunderstood.

Gospel passages demonstrate how deep-seated this earthly expectation was. Passages in John, Luke, and Acts reveal that crowds tried to force Jesus to be king, disciples on the road to Emmaus lamented that he had not redeemed Israel politically, and the apostles asked right before the Ascension if the kingdom was about to be physically restored. The lesson concludes with a reflective application: considering how God often works beyond immediate, earthly desires to offer something far greater and eternally better.

In this Bible class titled Who is Jesus - Class 5, instructor Jared Street explores the historical and political context surrounding the first-century Jewish expectations of the Messiah. By stepping back into Israel's history of foreign captivity under Assyrian, Babylonian, and Roman rule, the lesson illustrates why the Jewish people were intensely longing for a political deliverer to restore physical sovereignty to their nation. The discussion highlights how key Old Testament prophecies—such as those in Second Samuel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah—were often interpreted through a purely earthly lens, leading many to overlook the prophecies depicting a suffering servant. The lesson concludes by examining gospel accounts where even Jesus' closest followers struggled with this earthly mindset, challenging modern believers to reflect on how God's plans often surpass human expectations.

1. Introduction and Historical Context
* Modern comparisons to national independence and the concept of sovereignty
* Timeline of Israel's captivity under Assyrian, Babylonian, and Roman rule
* The psychological and cultural impact of long-term foreign rule on first-century Jewish expectations

2. Old Testament Messianic Expectations
* The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-13): Promises of an established throne and an everlasting kingdom
* Prophecies of a Reigning King (Isaiah 9:6-7, Jeremiah 23:5): Expectation of justice, wisdom, and the restoration of David's throne
* Human assumptions of the Messiah: Military leadership, wisdom, political power, and visible authority
* Historical commentaries (Dead Sea Scrolls and Targums) reinforcing the expectation of overthrowing Roman oppressors

3. The Overlooked Messiah: The Suffering Servant
* References to the suffering servant prophecies (Isaiah 52-53)
* Reasons why first-century Israel overlooked the suffering aspect:
* Familiarity with earthly kingship versus the unfamiliarity of a suffering leader
* Viewing Israel itself as the suffering servant rather than the individual Messiah
* A deep desire for national liberation driving selective interpretation

4. Gospel Evidences of First-Century Expectations
* Jesus avoiding forced earthly kingship (John 6:15)
* Disciples on the road to Emmaus grieving unrealized political hopes (Luke 24:17-21)
* The apostles questioning the physical restoration of Israel's kingdom prior to the Ascension (Acts 1:6)

5. Conclusion and Practical Application
* Jesus' true mission: Restoring the heavenly kingdom rather than an earthly nation
* Reflection question: What are we hoping God will do in one specific way, while He is actually providing something far better?
* Closing prayer