Gospels Part 042
In the last two lessons we covered the meaning of the name “Jesus” and that it means “God is salvation.” We also looked at how we are saved through Him. Today we’ll cover the meaning of “Christ” and one of the ways this applies to Jesus.
What does the word “Christ” mean? It isn’t so much a proper name as it is a title. “Christ,” comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning “anointed.” Its meaning is the same as the Hebrew word Messiah (John 1:41). They both mean “anointed” or “anointed one.”
What is the significance of being anointed? The Jews of Jesus’ day understood the meaning perfectly well. They were familiar with the Scriptures we call the Old Testament today; those writings were their guide for daily life. These very Scriptures said “Jesus,” and foretold His coming and purpose. “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me,” He thundered to those who refused to believe (John 5:39).
The Jews of Christ’s day expected a Messiah, an anointed one (John 4:25). They knew the significance of anointing, so they understood what the role of the Messiah would be. Without the background of the Old Testament, the term “Messiah” becomes meaningless, resulting in a shallow and distorted understanding of who and what Jesus Christ is.
Those who expected a Messiah knew that in the Old Testament anointing was used in four extraordinary situations to set someone or something apart for a special purpose. Each of these teaches us something about Jesus Christ, His purpose and mission, and why He is called the Anointed One.
Dedicated for God’s Use
The first significant act of anointing occurred in Exodus 40. After Israel’s miraculous departure from Egypt, God gave the Israelites detailed instructions for building the tabernacle, an elaborate tented structure designed to be the center of worship for the nation. After its completion, God told Moses,
“Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy" (Exodus 40:9, New International Version).
This act of anointing would “consecrate” the tabernacle. Consecrate means to dedicate or set something apart for holy use. Through this anointing, the tabernacle and the objects in it were set apart for God’s sacred use and service. Anointing was symbolic of that setting apart. What does that teach us about Jesus Christ? How does that fit into His role as the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One?
Jesus Christ’s entire life was set apart for God’s holy use. “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work,” said Jesus (John 4:34). That was His motivation, His source of strength. His reason for living was to do the will of God the Father.
". . . The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (John 5:19).
What did Jesus do? In His own words, He did exactly what the Father did. There are some people who think He came to push the Father into the background, overturning God’s holy law and removing it as a standard of guidance and behavior for mankind. What a sad contradiction of Jesus’ own words!
He dedicated Himself to the mission God had given Him. “I can of Myself do nothing,” He said. “. . . My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). Jesus Christ never tried to please Himself or to do His own will. His motivation was to please the Father. What God wanted was most important to Him.
Jesus’ entire life was set apart to serve God. He was an example of total commitment and surrender to God’s will. Even when facing imminent death, His final prayers were,
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42).
Jesus Christ lived His life in perfect accordance with God’s will, and He gave His life in perfect accordance with God’s great plan. A part of that plan was that He was set apart, His life freely offered as the one sacrifice to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind forever (1 Peter 1:18-20). Jesus Christ fulfilled this aspect of anointing perfectly. His entire life was an example of complete and total dedication to God’s will!
© Scott Ashley, 2025. All rights reserved.
Course Content
Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley was managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course until his retirement in 2023. He also pastored three congregations in Colorado for 10 years from 2011-2021. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he worked for 50 years.
During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies in various capacities. He was employed by the United Church of God from 1995-2023, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of Beyond Today magazine, several dozen booklets/study guides and a Bible study course covering major biblical teachings. His special interests are the Bible, archaeology, biblical culture, history and the Middle East.
