Gospels Part 045
In the last three lessons we covered that “Christ” means anointed, the same as the Hebrew word Messiah. We discussed that one purpose for anointing was to dedicate something or someone to God, and Jesus’ entire life was an example of complete and total dedication to God’s will. We also covered that priests were anointed, and Jesus is our High Priest. Then we covered that prophets were anointed, and Jesus Christ was certainly a great prophet and teacher of God. Today we’ll look at a final use of anointing and how it applies to Jesus Christ.
Born to be a King
A final significant use of anointing is found in 1 Samuel 16. God told His prophet Samuel that He had rejected Saul as king over Israel because of his disobedience, and He had chosen a new king. Samuel was sent to David. "Then the Lord said, 'Rise and anoint him; this is the one.' So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David . . ." (1 Samuel 16:12-13, New International Version).
From this example we see that anointing signified that God had chosen that person for rulership. Several times in the Old Testament, kings are referred to as “the Lord’s anointed.” It was a title of respect and reverence, acknowledging that God had placed the person in that position.
How does that apply to Jesus Christ? Just before His execution, Jesus stated,
“'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.' Pilate therefore said to Him, 'Are You a king then?' Jesus answered, 'You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world . . .'" (John 18:36-37).
Ruler of coming Kingdom
That Kingdom of which Jesus Christ would be king, was at the heart of Jesus’ teaching:
“I must preach the kingdom of God . . . because for this purpose I have been sent,” (Luke 4:43).
The message He brought was “the gospel [good news] of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14). Jesus “went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God . . .” (Luke 8:1). He commanded His followers to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).
That Kingdom is prophesied throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments.
“. . . The God of Heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed . . . It shall break in pieces and consume all these [other] kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44).
“Then to Him [prophesying of Jesus Christ] was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His Kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14).
This coming Kingdom will rule over “all peoples, nations, and languages” of the earth, as we just read. It will replace the governments of this world, and Jesus Christ will be the supreme Ruler.
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’“ (Revelation 11:15).
Jesus Christ’ followers will be resurrected to eternal life and assist Him in administering his kingdom.
“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).
How will this government be administered?
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever . . .” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
There will be no end of peace under that government. It will be established and upheld with judgment and justice forever. What a contrast to today’s world, filled with every kind of suffering and anguish imaginable! But that is the kind of government mankind will have under Jesus Christ’s rule in the Kingdom of God.
Exalted above all
Not only will Jesus Christ rule over that Kingdom in the future, but He is also a ruler now. Throughout the New Testament, He is referred to as “the Lord Jesus Christ” or simply “the Lord,” signifying that He is our Master, Ruler and King now.
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).
Do we recognize that “Jesus Christ is Lord,” our Lord and Master now? Paul described to the church in Ephesus the position to which God the Father has exalted Jesus Christ.
“. . . He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:20-23).
Paul says here that Jesus Christ is over everything, “far above all principality and power and might and dominion . . .” He is over all the angels. He is above all the powers of the universe, the galaxies, the stars, the planets. He is over all power and authority both now and in the age to come. God the Father has put everything in subjection to Him, which includes His spiritual body the Church. That is the greatness, power and authority of our King and Master, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is truly the One through whom “God is salvation.” He sacrificed Himself to pay the death penalty in our place. He now lives within us, helping us to live as He lived and walk as He walked, developing God’s holy character within us.
He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. He truly is set apart, having devoted and given His physical life as the perfect example and sacrifice for us. Jesus Christ is our High Priest, reconciling us to God and giving us greater understanding of God and His ways. He truly is a holy Prophet, a divine Teacher, showing mankind the way to peace and happiness and life everlasting.
Jesus Christ is the One who will return to this earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to establish a kingdom that will bring peace forever and salvation to all. And He is our King, our Lord and our Master now. How great is the meaning of “Jesus Christ” for us!
© 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.
