Anointed

Anointed (by David Peterson at The Rock Of Jesus Church)

The Gospels of both Matthew and Mark report that Jesus and His disciples were traveling in the district of Caesarea Philippi when they had a significant conversation. At this location (25miles north of the Sea of Galilee) Luke 9:20 records; “And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” The word “Christ” comes from the Greek “Christos” which means “the anointed one”.

The Hebrew equivalent is “Messiah”. In either language, Peter’s answer reveals a truth and that is Jesus is the Anointed (marked with oil and spices) Savior of the people of Israel. Jesus is the “Son of the living God”.

Regarding this anointing, Pastor John MacArthur, writes; “The title Lord Jesus Christ summarizes all of His redemptive work. Lord describes His sovereign deity; Jesus (the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Yeshua; “God Saves”) describes His saving death and resurrection; Christ (“anointed one”) describes Him as the King who will defeat God’s enemies and rule over the redeemed earth and the eternal state.”

In MacArthur’s summation of all that Jesus is, and all of that which Peter now recognizes, Jesus’ anointing points to His role in God’s plan.

The hymn “Christus! Anointed One!” was written by Anna Mercur in 1882 and what follows is the first and second verses;

1 Christus! Anointed One! King at Thy birth!

We drape Thy holy name with signs of mirth:

Bringing bright holly and weird mistletoe,

With twining ivy joy and gladness show.

2 Sing to Jehovah’s name, blended in One,

Infinite God, the Father, Spirit, Son;

Better than angels hath Jesus the Way

Gained far more excellent a name than they.

Mercur captures all of the reasons believers should know why Jesus is who Peter says He is!

Let us pray: Jesus, we celebrate your birth, for you are the Christ, the anointed one, and our Lord and Savior. Teach and empower us to spread your love with everyone! Amen.