Christ: the Anointed One

 

Sermon by Rev. John Zuidema on Lord’s Day 12

 

Rej 355 “He is exalted”

How deep the Father’s love for us

BOW: 332 “Rejoice, the Lord is King”

Scripture Readings: I John 2:18-27; Mat 16:13-28;

Sermon: “Christ – the anointed one” Prayer

BOW: 398 “What a Saviour”

 

Beloved people of the Lord Jesus Christ,

This morning I want to highlight that Jesus is God’s anointed Son, and that’s what we refer to when we say Jesus is the Christ. The title ‘Christ’ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” It occurs twice in John’s gospel (Jn 1:41; 4:25). The English equivalent is ‘Anointed One.’ So the name “Christ” is not Jesus’ surname, but identifies his as God’s anointed Son.

It’s a little like saying that Mr Tony Abbott holds the office of the Prime Minister. Similarly, Jesus holds the office of Christ, the anointed one. In fact to be saved and redeemed and cleansed and comforted you and I need to believe in Jesus as the Christ. Here is one of those places where doctrine is important.

1 John 2:18-23 highlights this very point. John warns his readers about the coming of the ‘anti-Christ’. In v22 we read, “Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the anti-Christ, he denies the father and the Son!” I say again this is important doctrine!

Jesus asked His disciples in Mat 16:15 a rather pointed question, “But what about you? …Who do you say I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16).

Now Jesus agreed and blessed Peter and pointed out this was revealed to him by the Father in heaven. Yet, within a few verses Jesus had to rebuke Peter and say, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mt 16:23), for Peter had not fully understood the calling of Christ. He had not understood that He had to “go to Jerusalem and suffer many things … be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Mt 16:22).

Now to ‘anoint’ simply means to rub, smear, or pour oil on someone or something. In ancient times such anointing was a common, everyday occurrence. It was used to treat wounds; to preserve or embalm the bodies of the dead, or for cosmetic purposes.

In the Bible it also has a ceremonial and religious significance. After Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching heaven he took the stone he had used as a pillow, set it up as a pillar, and anointed it by pouring oil on top of it (Gen 28:18). Aaron and his sons were anointed with oil as Israel’s first priests (Ex 40:1-33). When Saul was appointed as Israel’s first king, he was anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel (1 Sam 10:1) as was King David [1 Sam 16:13].

However, Jesus was not anointed with oil, but with the Holy Spirit at His baptism. When he stepped out of the Jordan River the “Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove” for all to see (Lk 3:22). And the voice from heaven confirmed this calling, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” was for all to hear (Lk 3:22).

Jesus’ anointing with the Holy Spirit means that He was ordained and equipped by God for his ministry which consisted of three primary offices: that of Prophet, Priest and King. As Prophet He proclaimed God’s word and the way of salvation; as Priest offered his own body for death as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and finally to be raised from the dead and reign as King forevermore.

Now it is important to keep these three things in mind, for it is precisely at this point where there is a major difference between what we think as Christians about Jesus and what other ‘religions’ think about Jesus. For instance, a Muslim believes that Jesus was a prophet, but not the Christ and not the Son of God and certainly not that he was the perfect sacrifice to cover our sins. In fact they don’t even believe he died on a cross or rose from the dead and now reigns as King. They believe that his bones are still lying in the ground in Palestine somewhere!

Do you see? We are not simply dealing with identity and genealogy. That Jesus is the Christ lies at the heart of the gospel message. It’s good news! It identifies who is and what he has done! Scripture teaches that Jesus has been ordained by God and anointed with the Holy Spirit to be “our chief prophet and teacher who perfectly reveals to us the secret counsel and will of God for our deliverance.”

John 1:18 reminds us that the Father has made him known to us! Jesus himself says in John 15:15 that he has made the Father’s will known to us! Jesus did this through His incarnation and virgin birth, His atoning death, His glorious resurrection, His triumphant ascension. In all of this He clearly revealed what was veiled to the OT believer.

Jesus’ main task as prophet is to reveal the Father’s wonderful plan of salvation. And this He does in Word and deed. While on earth He taught the people about the Father’s plan for salvation – through sermons, and parables and miracles. The writer in Hebrews reminds us that, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (1:1).

Notice, God used other prophets and teachers, but now Jesus is the chief prophet and teacher. For it is He Who taught and teaches through the prophets of old and it is He Who speaks through ministers of the Word. It is He Who instructs little children through Godly parents; it is He Who teaches through the illuminating presence of His indwelling Spirit. There can be little doubt that the office of prophet is climaxed and fulfilled in Jesus.

In Luke 4 Jesus quotes from Isaiah 61, telling the people at Nazareth synagogue, that this Scripture from Isaiah 61 was fulfilled in him! One of the things Jesus claims for Himself here is the office of prophet. He says the Spirit has anointed Him to preach and proclaim. Scripture makes clear how people reacted to Jesus as prophet and teacher. The people were ‘amazed’ at Jesus’ teaching because he taught as one who had authority. Yes this carpenter’s son spoke as though He were God Almighty so unlike the Pharisees and their scribes who continually quoted others.

Jesus spoke to evil spirits and they obeyed! (Lk 4:36). He told commanded the wind and seas to be still. To believers He sounded like the very voice of God which He was and is! When the people in His hometown of Nazareth first heard Him preach, they could not accept Him as prophet and they were furious and had intentions to throw him down the cliff. (Lk 4:23ff). And, when the chief priests and the teachers of the law heard Him, they began looking for a way to kill him (Mk 11:18).

Congregation, since we believe the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, is our chief prophet and teacher there can be only one proper response to Him. In speaking of Jesus as prophet, Moses said, “You must listen to him” (Deut 18:15 cf Acts 3:18). On the Mount of Transfiguration God speaks of the Son in language that reminds us of His baptism: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen.” Then He adds, “listen to him” (Lk 9:35).

The apostle Peter was so convinced after Christ’s death and resurrection that he could say, “Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people” (Acts 3:23). Only those who listen to Him and obey Him are granted salvation and life.

Jesus has also been ordained by God and anointed to be our only high priest and eternal king. I discuss the priestly and kingly office together because that’s what the Bible does. In the OT, it was the task of the high priest to represent man before God. Each day he would offer gifts and sacrifices for the people’s sins, and would intercede for them before God.

Now as High Priest, Jesus was both the offerer and the offering. He became our atoning sacrifice by suffering and dying upon the cross. That was his earthly work as High Priest. No other priest could have done that for every other priest was sinful. In fact they had to offer their animal sacrifices every year (Heb 10:11). Jesus, the Christ, the anointed One, comes as the better priest and lays done his life for sinners.

But Jesus continues at least in some capacity of his priestly task in heaven. For Scripture makes it clear that Jesus, even this very day intercedes for us in the very throne room of heaven. Romans 8:34 – ‘Who is it that condemns? Christ Jesus who died, more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God, also interceding for us?” 1 John 2:1 reminds us that when we sin we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense, Jesus Christ the righteous One.”

Hebrews 4:14-16 makes a similar comment and Ch 9:24 tells us the Christ appears for us in God’s presence (Heb 9:24). There He defends our cause against the accusations of Satan. It is He Who sanctifies our prayers and makes them acceptable to God. It is in the Father’s presence where He prays for the church and presents to the Father those spiritual needs which we are not aware of or neglect to include in our prayers. He prays for our protection from enemies we do not even see; He prays that our faith may not cease and that we may come out victoriously in the end. What love, what wondrous love! What grace, what great reason for praise.

Jesus is also our eternal king. As King, Jesus governs us by His Word and Spirit. As king, Jesus always keep us in the great salvation He has gained for us (Jn 10:28). In fact, as He is our eternal king and will never be short of subjects to serve Him.

Now congregation, we may ask and should ask, why did Jesus need to be Prophet, Priest, and King? Because we failed! In fact this three-fold office already began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve who were created in God’s image and hence were created with prophetic, priestly, and kingly responsibilities. Sadly their role became distorted when they fell into sin and ever since all of mankind has failed in this three-fold office of prophet, priest, and king. Sinful man without the Holy Spirit is inclined to hate God, and not live thankful lives for him and reject his kingship over them. But thanks be to God. Thanks be to Christ who fulfilled all three offices for us as God’s anointed One. He did what we couldn’t do and he did it to the Father’s full satisfaction.

And now redeemed, forgiven and saved to eternal life, we preach and teach about Christ, we tell others about our marvellous God, winsomely I hope, so that others may know the way of salvation. And we gladly leave our lives of sin knowing what Christ has achieved for us, and we now, with the Holy Spirit help present ourselves as living sacrifices, living lives that are holy and pleasing in His sight.

We do so, for Jesus is our King and we now reign with him! We are subject to his will! He keeps us and protects us and has promised to bring us safely home to glory! Yes, we fail often, but this Supper today reminds us that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of God” our chief prophet, priest, and King. When we confess and repent of our sin, he forgives and reminds the Father that He gave His life for us.

So if someone were to ask you today, “Who do you say Jesus is?” Tell them loving, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and give thanks for the Father has revealed that to you.” Amen.