Hi Deneisha,
The distinction between the Christian idea of a Messiah and the Jewish idea of a Messianic Age also surprised me. The idea of a Christ who will come back as the perfect judge is the fulfillment of the David king Isiah prophesies about, a theme the Matthean author emphasizes with the name of Jesus as the Son of David. The prophets of the Old Testament are extremely important to seeing Jesus as a fulfillment, not a replacement, of the Law. Where Christianity and Judaism depart is in the interpretations of the prophets. I find it interesting the Jewish idea of a Messianic Age is similar to the Christian idea of the Second coming and the new heaven and new earth to come.
