Day 18 Celebrating Immanuel

Day 18 Celebrating Immanuel

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ…(Matthew 1:16)

This morning I want to look closer at the meaning of Jesus being called, “Christ.”  Christ comes from the Greek word Christos that means, “Anointed One.”  The Hebrew word for “Anointed One” is Messiah.  Therefore, both Christ in the Greek and Messiah in Hebrew have the same relevent meaning, “Anointed One.” 

Now, what exactly does it mean to be called the “Anointed One?”   To be “anointed” indicates a person being set aside by GOD for HIS divine purpose, service, task, or plan. In the Old Testament, the process of being “anointed” included having “OIL” poured over the head by a priest allowing it to run down the face and body symbolizing God’s divine covering and protection.  Kings were “anointed” as well as priests to represent to the people or kingdom that God had chosen them for His specific purpose, service, or task.

In the Old Testament days, people respected and honored those who were “anointed” among them.  King David honored King Saul by not killing him when he had the chance even though King Saul had relentlessly pursued David’s own life for years.  It is written:

Far be it from me because of the  LORD that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’S anointed,  to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD’S anointed. (1 Samuel 24:6)

King David refused to “stretch out his hand” against his earthly enemy King Saul, or kill him, because He regarded and honored Saul’s position as a king as being “anointed” of God.  Oh, that we would still pay such honor and respect unto God’s chosen people of service; those called of God for His purpose and plan!

In the book of Matthew, we read:

And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  (Matthew 1:21 KJV)

Jesus Christ, being God manifested in the flesh, came for God’s own divine purpose and plan…He was and IS the appointed “ANOINTED ONE” set aside by God to be our long-awaited Savior of the world (John 3:16).  Jesus is Christ the Messiah, the Holy Anointed One of God. 

When we say, “Jesus Christ,” we are saying, Jesus the “Anointed One.”  When we call Him Messiah, we are calling Him the “Anointed One.”  We are recognizing, honoring, and paying tribute to Him as being Holy and Divinely set aside by God.  He is our Anointed King of Kings and Lord of Lords…Oh, my friend let us rejoice in that Jesus is CHRIST; the Holy Anointed One sent from God; the HOPE of the world.  Amen.

CHRISTmas is the day we celebrate the earthly birth of Jesus CHRIST; God’s only begotten Son, the ANOINTED ONE!  Amen…Merry Christmas to you!

Remember, God Loves You!

Lin T Rollins, Author