Jesus is the Messiah

The one anointed by God and empowered by God’s Spirit to deliver His people and establish His kingdom. In Christian thought the term Messiah refers to Jesus’ role as a spiritual deliverer, setting His people free from sin and death.

The word Messiah comes from a Hebrew term that means ‘anointed one.” Its Greek counterpart is Christos, from which the word Christ comes. Messiah was one of the titles used by early Christians to describe who Jesus was.

It was not until the time of Daniel (sixth century BC) that Messiah was used as an actual title of a king who would come in the future (Dan.9:25-26) Still later, most Israelites in Jesus’ time believed the Messiah would come to perform signs (John 7:31) and deliver His people. He would be their king and came to be thought of as a political, military ruler and would defeat the Roman’s and provide for their needs. Yet according to the Gospel of John, a woman of Samaria said to Jesus, “I know the Messiah is coming.” Jesus replied, “I who speak to you am He.” (John 4:25-26)

Jesus constantly avoided being called “Messiah” in public. (Mark 8:29-30) This is known as Jesus’ “messianic secret.” He was the Messiah, but He did not broadcast it publicly. The reason for this was that Jesus’ kingdom is not political but spiritual (John 18:36). Jesus understood that the Messiah, God’s anointed One, was to be the Suffering Servant (Is 52:13-53:12). There is more to the Messiah’s promise… (read Rev.22 take note vs.12) As the Messiah, Jesus is the divinely appointed king who brought God’s kingdom to earth (Matt.12:28; Luke 11:20). His way to victory was not by physical force and violence, or by political persuasion, but through love, humility, and service.

Pastor Greg Volich