The Christ
In a lot of churches, when there are significant changes like the hiring of a new pastor or the commissioning of a missionary, people will gather around and lay hands on the person. They will pray and ask that God would bless and anoint this person in the work to which they’ve been called. This practice has a history in the church that runs back to nearly the beginning of our faith history. In early Israelite practice, they would “anoint” people to identify and set apart people who are called by God to do something extraordinary.
This kind of anointing was particularly poignant when a new king was identified. The anointing by a prophet or priest signified God’s favour as well as authority to the people of God. Often this was done through the pouring of oil on the head of the king. Someone who was thus anointed was seen as “singled out” by God for a particular purpose, and the anointing in front of people was to ensure that everyone knew it!
During Advent, we look forward to the revealing of the ultimate “anointed one” – Jesus. In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were waiting for the revealing of the anointed one of God, the one they called the “Mashiach” or Messiah. The Messiah was the one who the Israelites believed was anointed by God to rescue Israel from oppression. The language of the angel when speaking to Joseph and Mary (and others) helps us understand that this Jesus that was going to be born was going to be this anointed one the Israelites had waited for. Because Jesus was born into a culture where Greek was the language of the day, the Messiah was translated to The Christ.
Jesus of Nazareth was recognized later as this Christ or “Anointed One” – someone set apart by God for a particular purpose. And that purpose was clearly given in Jesus’ name: “he will save his people from their sins.” The name “Jesus” is the Greek version of “Yeshua,” which means “God (YHWH) saves.” So when we talk about Jesus Christ, we’re talking about the anointed one God will use to save His people.
Advent is the time we celebrate the waiting the Israelites did for the Messiah, and the time we wait for the return of the Christ. It’s the time we remember that Jesus came to save His people, and that his work ever since has been to continue to save His people from their sins. He has done so through is life, his death, his resurrection, his ascension, and his sending of the Holy Spirit who indwells his church. Jesus has not stopped saving his people, and we wait today for his return when he will ultimately and forever save his people from their sins.
Today we are thankful that God anointed Jesus to save his people from their sins. Today we are thankful that God continues that work today. Today we are waiting for the return of the Anointed One who will make all things new.
