Jesus is the Messiah

February 6, 2011

Background Scripture: Mark 8:27 – 9:1
Lesson Passage: Mark 8:27 – 9:1

“Messiah” is a word of Hebrew origin that is only used four times in the King James translation of the bible (twice in Daniel and twice in the Gospel of John). The word messiah means to rub with oil for consecration to a religious office such as priest, king, or saint. Put another way, the word messiah means “to anoint” or “to be anointed”. The idea of anointing is expressed many times in the bible in both the Old and the New Testament. It is most often rendered “anointed” in the Old Testament and “Christ” in the New Testament. The New Testament references tend not to use the word in a general sense (as did the Old Testament) but more to refer to the specific anointed person who God has chosen for end-time ministry and the worldwide proclamation of the gospel message. It is in this sense that the topic of our lesson today refers to the Messiah or Christ of God. Since the days of Moses, Israel had long anticipated the arrival of God’s anointed one whose coming was prophesied by Moses. Apparently many false messiahs had arisen but over the course of time they were proven to be counterfeits or fakes. The text of our lesson, along with the parallel accounts found in Matthew and Luke’s accounts of the gospel, gives us the setting where Peter would make perhaps his most popular declaration of all. While in the coast of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus questioned his disciples concerning the rumors of his identity. Peter declared that Jesus was the anointed one of Israel that had been long anticipated. This occurred after the disciples had given Jesus a list of names that others had used in referring to Jesus’ identity. But when Jesus made the question personal for his disciples and not just a conversation about the local rumors, Peter responded with a notion that apparently was not part of the local rumor mill. Jesus was not just another mighty prophet sent from God as the rumors described him. But Peter’s declaration was that Jesus is the one. Jesus was he who had been sought by Israel for centuries. Our lesson passage has been taught and expounded upon for years—especially as a theme for church anniversaries. We quickly rush pass the announcement about Jesus’ identity and get on to the part that talks about the establishment of the New Testament church. Today it is worth pausing to consider what it means that Jesus is the Messiah. At the beginning of his ministry, John the Baptist had pointed Jesus out to two of his disciples as being the Lamb of God. One of them, Andrew, left John the Baptist and followed Jesus. Andrew then recruited his brother Simon (Peter) by telling him that Jesus was the Christ of God. In our text today, Jesus was at a point in his ministry where his fame went throughout the land. This fame caused many to try to figure out exactly who is this Jesus. This pondering is apparently what started the rumor mill about Jesus’ identity. God’s revelation to Peter, however, dispelled those rumors. Jesus is the Messiah.


Robert C. Hudson
January 31, 2011