As we consider our calling to Messianic evangelism and outreach , we must remember that defending Yeshua ’ s existence and identity as our Messiah is not merely a secondary issue for us as believers .
However , if the historical Yeshua did not exist , or if His identity as the Messiah were false , it would undermine the credibility of both the New Covenant and the message of the Good News . For this reason , this article explores three crucial dimensions validating Yeshua ' s existence : historical records , scriptural prophecies , and philosophical reasoning .
Numerous non-Christian sources corroborate Yeshua ’ s existence and ministry . Two key accounts come from
Roman historian Tacitus and Jewish historian Josephus . Tacitus , in The Annals , writes that “ Christus [ Yeshua the Messiah ], from whom the name had its origin , suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of Pontius Pilatus .” Tacitus further details Yeshua ’ s sacrificial death and the spread of the Good News , despite persecution , providing external validation of Yeshua ’ s execution and influence outside of Judea .
Continuing , Josephus , in his work Antiquities of the Jews , mentions Yeshua in two separate references . In one passage , he refers to Jesus as the “ so-called Christ ,” acknowledging Yeshua ' s existence without affirming His divinity . The second , more controversial passage , the Testimonium Flavianum , speaks more highly of Yeshua , suggesting He was a wise man and in fact the Jewish Messiah . While parts of this text may have been altered by later Christian scribes , Josephus remains a significant historical witness to Yeshua ’ s life . These non-Christian records not only corroborate New Covenant accounts but also establish a firm historical basis for Yeshua ' s existence .
Yeshua ’ s life and mission are the fulfillment of numerous prophecies in the Tanakh . Isaiah 53 speaks of a suffering servant who bears the sins of the people — a clear foreshadowing of Yeshua ’ s death . Psalm 110:1 likewise highlights His divine nature stating , “ The Lord says to my Lord ,” a passage pointing to Yeshua as both David ’ s descendant and his Lord .
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 • T I K K U N A M E R I C A R E S T O R E | 2 1