"Jesus obviously thought He was Messiah . . ." Wow, Brother W! You know what Jesus thought? That is something his dejected, disappointed followers didn't, especially in the light of the dishonor of his criminal execution.

His disciples, as his best buds, sure didn't. And it isn't clear that he did. There were a number of self-proclaimed potential Jewish Messiahs running around, from which he wasn't much differentiated. He spoke once (erroneously) of the coming of the Son of Man (contextually obviously not himself) to be so soon living people would be the witness. He didn't seem to know he was scheduled for that role, apparently.

The written record, the Gospels, and Mr. Paul, are so indefinite there is extensive debate, still active, over whether or not he knew his role as Messiah. His "Jewish mind" imprinted with the Jewish version of Messiah showing off in a grand entrance of great power and glory.

I would like to know how you learned what Jesus thought!