The Jewish people of the time of Jesus were expecting a person referred to as “The Prophet.” This person is only noted in the Gospel of John. Twice in the first chapter the people asked John the Baptist if he was “that Prophet.” (John 1:21 & 25) John’s response was “no.” After Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 men (plus women and children) the people were convinced that Jesus was “that Prophet” and would have forced him to become their king. (John 6:14-15) Later, at the Feast of Tabernacles many believed that Jesus was “that Prophet.” (John 7:40)

Who was The Prophet? When the Lord verbally gave the Ten Commandments to the Children of Israel at Mount Sinai, it scared them to death. They asked Moses to intervene with the Lord for them. The Lord agreed and said, “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee (Moses), and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. (Deuteronomy 18:18)

Bearing in mind that Moses was a type of Jesus gives us a large clue as to the identity of The Prophet. When Moses was on Mount Sinai, receiving the Ten Commandments, the Children of Israel were committing spiritual adultery with the Golden Calf. Moses asked the Lord to forgive them and he offered himself in their place – a picture of the Lord Jesus. (Exodus 32:32)

The other clue is the Lord’s statement that He would “raise up a Prophet from among their brethren.” Jesus was a Jew. He was a Jewish brother. The Lord told Moses that He would “put My words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.” Throughout His ministry the Lord Jesus stated that He was doing His father’s will. Jesus was doing all that His father commanded of Him.

The Lord added of the Prophet, “whosoever will not hearken unto my words which He shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” The Lord Jesus, whose name means “salvation,” brought us Salvation. If anyone rejects the Lord Jesus, it will be required of him at the time of judgement.

When the people tried to make Jesus king because they believed Him to be The Prophet, they were right. Their belief was correct, but their timing was wrong. His time had not yet come. (John 7:6 & 8) But the Day is coming when Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords. Praise His name!