Jesus Messiah

Jesus is often called the Messiah, but what does that name mean? And why is

this name an important title for Jesus?

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“Messiah” means Anointed One in Hebrew. It was later translated

as “Christ” in Greek. So, when people call themselves Christians, they are

calling themselves followers of Christ, the Anointed One.

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Anointing was a sign of kingship and honor in the Old Testament. For

example, the prophet Samuel anointed David because God had chosen him to be

king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:13). The pouring of oil on someone’s head was a

sign that set that person apart for service.

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Being the Anointed One means that Jesus is the Savior God promised

throughout the Old Testament. He is the king who rules over all of creation

and who frees all people who put their trust in Him. But what does He free

us from?

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In Jesus’s day, the Israelites thought that, as king, Jesus would free them

immediately from the oppression of the Roman empire. Although Jesus did not

free them in the way they expected, He did free the Israelites, and the

whole world, from the oppression of evil as manifested in our own sin

nature and our propensity to sin. How? By dying on the cross and rising

again three days later. This is good news: Jesus is the promised,

set-apart, sinless king who conquers sin and death! He is the Messiah, the

Anointed One. Naomi Zylstra

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What does it mean that Jesus was anointed and set apart?

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Since Jesus is king, how does that affect how we as Christians see Him?

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To learn more about Jesus as king and what that means for all of us, check

out our “Know Jesus” page.

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But what about you? he [Jesus] asked. Who do you say I am? Peter

answered, You are the Messiah. Mark 8:29 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Isaiah 53:4-Isaiah 53:6; Mark 8:29