Freedom's Call Name Study "Anointed of God"

This is part of one of my study on this. I need to "work it out" here...leave a comment and give me some feedback!

ANOINTED OF GOD

If we were asked to make a list of people that we thought were anointed of God, I bet our lists would be similar. They may include our pastor, worship leaders, Bible study teachers, authors, speakers….maybe even your closest friends!

This week as part of our Freedom’s call study on the names of God, I’ve been asked to ponder and think on “Anointed of God” as an attribute/characteristic of God.

First things first, what does anoint mean? Here are the definitions from dictionary.com.

1. To rub or sprinkle on; apply an unguent, ointment, or oily liquid to.
2. To smear with any liquid
3. To consecrate or make sacred in a ceremony that includes the token applying of oil:
4 .to dedicate to the service of God

During Old Testament times, the first definition was a common practice. Anointing with oil was part of their daily personal grooming, as well as in traditions such as preparing a body for burial. Anointing with oil also had medicinal purposes but the third and fourth definitions, those are the definitions that are applicable here.

Sacred anointing was used to dedicate (set apart) things or persons for God’s service.
As I think about a sacred anointing, I picture an ordination service. The ordination service is a precious time when deacons and other ministers pray over a man who has been called to lead. There is nothing mystical or weird about it, it is just concentrated time of prayer and commissioning.

When I asked God to tell me who this attribute described in respect to Himself, I immediately had two thoughts, The Son and the Holy Spirit. Number two and three of the Trinity.

THE SON ~ JESUS

Jesus quotes part of Isaiah 61 in Luke 4 where He says

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19)


Let’s imagine it. God the Father turns to His Son and tells Him it’s time. It’s time for Him to leave Glory and come to earth. There is a task that only Jesus Christ can carry out, but before God can let Him leave, He must do one more thing.

I see my Jesus, knowing full well what His earthly assignment would involve, on His knees before God.

Wouldn’t you have loved to see their faces as their eyes focused on one another and God the Father lovingly anointed His only son? Can you imagine the way God’s voice sounded as He gave Jesus Christ his Holy anointing? Perhaps is sounded something like this:

“My precious Son, my Spirit is on you and in you. I am setting you apart to preach salvation to the poor. I’m sending you to mend the brokenhearted. Those that are held captive by sin, you will deliver! You will show them how to really live. You are going to give sight to those that can’t see, physically and spiritually. And to those who have been beaten down and feel lifeless because they are so consumed by the law…you will teach them and you will give them liberty! You can do this because I have covered you and will empower you to complete this assignment. No one else can do this, you are it my Son. You are the Anointed of God and I am so pleased with you.”

Jesus Christ was anointed by God to die for the sins of each one of us. That was His task. His entire ministry was to bring reconciliation for man’s sin. His sacrifice on the cross was to restore my fellowship, your fellowship with God the Father.

Jesus means “Savior”; you probably knew that BUT….

Did you know that “Christ” means “the anointed one”? Yes it does!

Now, when you say “Jesus Christ” you are saying “Savior, the Anointed One”. He was and is the Anointed One sent by God to be the Savior of the world.
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Part two of this "the Holy Spirit" is coming in the next day or two. Thanks for your input. :)

I'm off to practice for our churches "Music and a Movie" community event tonight! We will be playing movie themes for a little over an hour and then once the sun goes down, we will enjoy "Horton Hears a Who" out on the corner of Fence and Dacula Road. If you are in this area come by and say HI! It's FREE and a lot of fun. :)