God was going to send One to help us. This One would be a prophet, a priest, and the king of all kings. This One would be set apart with a special part of God’s plan. He would be God’s Anointed One.
Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. (Daniel 9:25 NIV)
There have been many anointed ones throughout Biblical history. Kings were anointed and set apart for their role as rulers. Prophets were anointed and set apart for their role as truth-sayers. Priests were anointed and set apart for their role as intermediaries between God and people. God’s one, however would be anointed and set apart for a special ministry. His ministry would be to save all people who were separated from God and wanted to come home. So, people started to refer to the anointing of God’s One differently from all the other anointings. This One would be king, prophet, and priest. More than that, this one would be savior of the world.
The Hebrew word for “anointed one” is משׁיח. When sounded out with English letters, it looks like “mashiach“. This is where we get the title, “Messiah.” Later on, the Greek word “Χριστός“ has the same meaning. When written in English letters, the word becomes “Christos,” which is where we get the title, “Christ.” The Israelites were looking for the specially Anointed One…the Messiah…the Christ. He is the one God sent to save the world.
When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.'" (1 Chronicles 17:11-14 NIV)
God didn’t send just anybody to be the One. This prophet, priest, and king would be God’s only begotten Son. He would be sent with a specific mission:
After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing… (Daniel 9:26a NIV)
God sent His Son to die so that we might live.
How about you? What does this say about how important you are to God? Is God that important to you?
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