The Hebrew term “Messiah” (or Mashiach) is translated literally to the term “anointed”. To be anointed is to be consecrated, to be set apart for a task. The term Messiah, when given to Jesus, is a very significant declaration that Jesus would be the ultimate fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. We know that prior to Jesus, the role of the high priest within the tabernacle was a role that involved spiritual cleansing rituals in order for the priest to enter the holy of holies and present an offering before God. The high priest was set apart for this task, and would enter this part of the tabernacle with a rope and a bell around his waist in the event that before God’s holiness he would be found unclean and struck dead. In Jesus we find the One set apart for the task, once for all time, so that we can present our requests to God in full confidence that we can go through Him and no longer through the high priest. Praise God for Jesus, the Messiah who has saved His people!
“And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.” Mark 8:27-30 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.8.27-30.ESV
For those of us who have been Christians for a long time, the effect of the name of Jesus as the Son of God has probably been taken for granted (well, for me at least). So what does it mean? In Philippians 2:6 we read that Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.” In Hebrews 1:8-9 we read that “But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever.” When Paul said that Jesus is the Son of God, we know this to mean that He is fully man but fully God. Being the Son of God, we know this to mean that Jesus is in the nature of God. And so we can have confidence that to know the Son is to know the Father! What a wonderful comfort for us as God’s children that we too share this sonship. Praise God for Jesus!
Servant: When Jesus took on the role of a servant, this was a great challenge to the leadership model of the days in which He conducted His ministry. Jesus laid aside His majesty in order to show people the love of God and how we should live and serve one another. It was prophesied in Isaiah 42:1-4 that Jesus would come as a servant, and in Mark 10:45 Jesus said this of Himself: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”, and in Luke 22:27 Jesus said “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” But Jesus also modelled this role of servanthood through His actions—washing His disciples’ feet—a role left to the least of servants to honour visitors to one’s home as an example of what this servanthood might look like in a practical way. At that time, the role of a servant was so foreign to the experience of leaders that this was a revelation to some, and a challenge to others. We thank Jesus for showing us how He wants us to love one another.
“And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.” Matthew 20:32-34 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.20.32-34.ESV
“When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”” 2 Samuel 7:12-16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.7.12-16.ESV
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