When Israel had the land, temple, and priesthood, what were they still waiting for?
Even while possessing the promised land, the temple, and the priesthood, Israel was still waiting for the King—the promised Messiah. He is called the Anointed One, or Christ in Greek, so Jesus Christ means Jesus the Messiah, and He comes out of the Old Testament promises.
Les explains that by Zacharias’s time Israel was already a nation of people in the promised land, with their temple and their priesthood, but they were still looking for the King. That King is the Anointed One, or the Messiah; the Greek word for Messiah is Christ, so speaking of Jesus Christ is actually saying Jesus the Messiah. This expectation rested on God’s covenant with Israel and the Old Testament promises, and it is out of those promises that He comes. Les further emphasizes that Christ’s miracles, preaching, and teaching were to prove to the Jew of His day that He was that promised Messiah.