20th March 2025

The Messiah

Daily in the temple, and in every house,

they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 5:42

Today's Bible Reading: Matthew 16:13-18.

The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew and means “anointed one” or “chosen one.” The Greek equivalent is the word Christos or, in English and French, Christ, in Dutch Christus. The name “Jesus Christ” is the same as “Jesus the Messiah.” In biblical times, anointing someone with oil was a sign that God was consecrating or setting apart that person for a particular role. Thus, an “anointed one” was someone with a special, God-ordained purpose. 

In the Old Testament, people were anointed for the positions of prophet, priest, and king. God told Elijah to anoint Elisha to succeed him as Israel’s prophet, (1 Kings 19:16). Aaron was anointed as the first high priest of Israel (Leviticus 8:12). Samuel anointed both Saul and David as kings of Israel (1 Samuel 10:1). All of these men held “anointed” positions. But the Old Testament predicted a coming Deliverer, chosen by God to redeem Israel (Isaiah 42:1). This Deliverer the Jews called the Messiah. 

Jesus of Nazareth was and is the prophesied Messiah (Luke 4:17-21). Throughout the New Testament, we see proof that Jesus is the Chosen One: The ultimate evidence that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, the Anointed One, is His resurrection from the dead.

The Lord Jesus fulfils the role of Prophet, Priest, and King, which is further evidence to His being the Messiah. He is a prophet, because He embodied and preached the Word of God (John 1:1-18).

In the days of the Lord Jesus, the Jews expected the Messiah to redeem Israel by overthrowing the rule of the Romans and establishing an earthly kingdom (Acts 1:6). It was not until after the Lord's resurrection that His disciples finally began to understand what the prophecies in the Old Testament really meant the Messiah would do (Luke 24:25-27).

The Messiah was “anointed” first to deliver His people spiritually; that is, to redeem them from sin. He accomplished this salvation through His death and resurrection.

But the question for each of us is this, do we each know the Messiah Jesus as our Lord and Saviour?

Today's Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You, for the gift of Your Son, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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