Since the time of Abraham, God had been preparing his people for the arrival of a Messiah, who would rescue and redeem them.  By Jesus’ time, most Jews expected their Messiah to rescue their nation from their Roman oppressors, just as God had rescued them from their Egyptian oppressors in Moses’ day.  Then they expected Messiah to establish a righteous kingdom which would last forever in peace and safety for all Jews.  God’s plans for humanity were much bigger.