A BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE KEY WORDS IN THE BIBLE
Bible Corner - No. 8 CHRIST (Messiah)
Christ is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew 'Messiah' (anointed one i.e. King), a word that became part of Jewish religious vocabulary during the years between the close of the Old Testament and the coming of Jesus. During this period the Jews were a subject people, ruled in turn by Babylonians, Persians, Seleucids and Romans. In their subservience many Jews found comfort in prophecies that seemed to suggest that the glories of the reign of David foreshadowed a new age when Israel would again be a holy and prosperous nation. Gradually, however, this idea became politicized round the hope of a 'superking' or 'messiah' who would crush Israel's enemies and make heathen nations serve under his yoke.
Jesus, right from the time of his baptism, knew he was chosen by the Father to establish the true Kingdom of God but he rejected the triumphalist notions that had gathered round the word Messiah. His kingdom was not a worldly one and he had come to deliver individuals from spiritual bondage. This was why he only reluctantly accepted the title of Messiah/Christ on the lips of his followers, preferring the less loaded expression 'Son of Man'. Indeed he made it clear that the key to his mission was to be seen in Isaiah's portrait of the Servant of God who must suffer in order to bring forgiveness to many people.
Relevant passages: Isaiah 53, 10-12; Mark 8, 27-33 and 10, 45; Acts 2, 29-36.
Howard Rady
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