Christ (Messiah) – The Anointed One, the promised Savior
Christ (Messiah): The Anointed One, the Promised Savior
Introduction
For centuries, the Jewish people waited. Generation after generation, they clung to the ancient prophecies—the promise of a Deliverer, a King who would crush evil, restore Israel, and reign in righteousness. They called Him Messiah (Hebrew: Mashiach), meaning "Anointed One."
Then, in the fullness of time, He came.
But He was not what many expected.
He arrived not with an army, but in a manger. He conquered not with a sword, but with a cross. And His victory was not just for Israel—but for the world.
This is the story of Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Messiah.
The Promise of the Messiah
From the very beginning, God foreshadowed His plan. After Adam and Eve’s fall, He declared:
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel." (Genesis 3:15)
This was the first whisper of the Messiah—a Savior who would defeat Satan.
As the centuries passed, the prophecies grew clearer:
A King from David’s line (2 Samuel 7:12-13)
Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
A suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)
A covenant for all nations (Isaiah 49:6)
The Jewish people longed for His coming, imagining a mighty warrior who would free them from Roman oppression. But God’s plan was far greater.
The Anointed One Arrives
When Jesus began His ministry, He went to the synagogue in Nazareth and read from Isaiah:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me..." (Luke 4:18)
Then He declared, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
This was a bold claim: "I am the Messiah."
But what did it mean to be anointed?
In the Old Testament, priests, prophets, and kings were anointed with oil, symbolizing God’s calling upon them. Jesus was all three:
The Prophet who spoke God’s words (Deuteronomy 18:15)
The Priest who offered Himself as the sacrifice (Hebrews 4:14)
The King who would reign forever (Revelation 19:16)
Yet, His mission was not what many expected.
The Messiah’s Mission: Redemption Through Suffering
Many wanted a political liberator. But Jesus came to wage a deeper war—against sin and death itself.
Isaiah 53 painted a shocking picture of the Messiah:
"Despised and rejected by men" (v. 3)
"Pierced for our transgressions" (v. 5)
"Like a lamb led to the slaughter" (v. 7)
When Jesus told His disciples He would suffer and die, Peter rebuked Him (Matthew 16:22). How could the Messiah be defeated?
But Jesus knew: the cross was the only way.
The Triumph of the Cross
On Calvary, it seemed like evil had won. But in reality, Satan’s kingdom was being dismantled.
The curse of sin was broken.
Death was defeated.
The way to God was opened.
When Jesus rose from the grave, He proved He was the true Messiah—not just for Israel, but for all who would believe.
"You Are the Christ!"
One day, Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" (Matthew 16:16)
This was the pivotal confession. To call Jesus Christ was to declare:
He is the fulfillment of prophecy.
He is the Savior of the world.
He is God in the flesh.
Today, that same question echoes through history: Who do you say He is?
What This Means for Us
Hope – The Messiah has come, and He will return to make all things new.
Forgiveness – His sacrifice covers all our sins.
Purpose – We are now His ambassadors, proclaiming His kingdom.
Conclusion: The Messiah Who Is Coming Again
Jesus is not just a historical figure—He is the living Christ. And one day, He will return, not as a suffering Servant, but as a conquering King.
Until then, we wait, we worship, and we declare with Peter:
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!"
Amen.