Anointed- Another Role of Christ

Anointed:

The Hebrew word for anointed is מָשִׁיחַ “mah-SHE-akh”, or Messiah in English.  In Greek the word for anointed is χρίω “KHREE-oh”, the root word of the name “Christ”.  The act of anointing, by one in authority, bestows divine influence or power. It was a rite used specifically in the choosing of kings and religious authorities. (See 1 Sam 16:13; Exodus 40:13, 15)

In the Old Testament, those who served in the temple, as well as the vessels, altar and cakes offered, were anointed. This showed their consecrated status in the service of God. In an article written by Keith Meservy in the April 1987 Ensign, we read, “The title mashiah (anointed one) applied to anyone—a priest, a king, or a prophet—who was anointed with oil to minister in God’s behalf. (See Ex. 29:29; 1 Sam. 10:1; 1 Kgs. 19:16.) Jesus was all of these—prophet, priest, and king. His anointment took place in heaven, where God anticipated the fall of Adam and the need for a redeemer. For this reason, John identified Jesus as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8.)”

The very olive oil used for anointing, is symbolic of Christ. It was burned in lamps to provide light. When the olives are first crushed in the press, the oil is red in color, symbolic of blood. The place where Christ shed great drops of blood during the atonement was in an olive garden known as Gethsemane. This word means “an oil press,” a combination of the Aramaic 'gath' (wine press) and 'shemeni' (oil). Christ reminds us that He has trodden the wine press alone.

The role of a king is to physically lead, direct, and protect his people. The role of a high priest is to spiritually lead, direct and bless his people. Consider Christ’s roles as king and priest:

MORTAL KINGSHIP: Christ’s Davidic right to rule the Jewish nation is noted in Matthew, who declares [Matt 1:1] that his record is “The book of the generations of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” The tenth article of faith reminds us that Christ will reign personally on the earth during the millennium.

HEAVENLY KINGSHIP: Jehovah is referred to as the heavenly King in all the standard works of the church. Psalms 24:10 declares, “Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.” When Isaiah receives his prophetic calling, he cries, “…Woe is me! for I am undone: because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” [Is. 6:5] King Benjamin, in his final great address to his people states, “…if I, whom ye call your king… do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!” (See also Luke 19:38, D&C 128:22-23, and Moses 7:53)

MORTAL HIGH PRIEST: The role of the priest in Biblical times was to be:

·         a spiritual leader

·         one who serves (the word “kohen” or priest in Hebrew connotes service)

·         a conduit between the people and Jehovah in offering sacrifice for sin

·         an example of kindness, joy, charity, and zeal

 [From the Temple Institute (www.templeinstitute.org) ]

In Heb. 5, Paul also lists the duties of a high priest - “to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin” [v 1], to “have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way” [v 2], “to be “called of God, as was Aaron” [v 4].

HEAVENLY HIGH PRIEST: Paul records in Heb 8:1: “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” Christ is the High Priest who made the ultimate sacrifice; who came to restore modern temple worship in our dispensation.

Note also in Matt. 1:1 that Christ is the “son Abraham”. The willingness of Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the only begotten son of his wife Sarah, was a foreshadowing of the Father’s willingness to give his only begotten Son. The term “son of Abraham” has meaning pertaining to kingship and priestly office. Abraham desired the blessings of the fathers (Abr 1:2). What were these blessings? They are the blessings that culminate in the temple, and many are listed in this verse, including “High Priest” and “prince of peace”.

When I studied these last verses, I was awestruck by the majesty and grace of Christ, and how much I was taking for granted. The same blessings Abraham sought are just twenty minutes away from me, in a beautiful, white building that overlooks Bountiful. I believe it was my wise neighbor Bette Hubrich, who stated that fish don’t notice the water they swim in.