OUR MESSIAH #
SCRIPTURE READING — MARK 1:9-13
Exodus 2:14 — The man replied, “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Are you planning to kill me like you killed that Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, thinking, “Surely what I did has become known.”
MOSES #
Moses had a comfortable childhood despite the fact that his own people were slaves. One day, he intervened in a conflict that was taking place between two of the slaves. And one of them asked him, “Who gave you the authority to reign and judge over us?” We may also respond by saying, “That is simple; God did it.” Moses was the leader of Israel whom God chose to put in charge. However, Moses was perhaps too quick off the mark. As a result of the fact that God would not appoint him till forty years had passed.
When it comes to Jesus, we have the propensity to hurry our assumptions. There are times when our impatience prevents us from allowing Him to be an average human being like the rest of us. For instance, while He is still a child, we consider Him to be the Messiah of Israel. But He will not be the Messiah for another thirty years after His birth.
MESSIAH #
The divine nature of Jesus is not in any way diminished by this fact. The term “Messiah” or “Christ” does not refer to a divine being. It is a designation given to a person who has been entrusted by God with a unique responsibility. Messiah is Hebrew for “one who is anointed.” To be called and given the ability to carry out a task that has been assigned by God is to be anointed.
Jesus was anointed to be the Messiah/Christ when the Spirit of God, who was described as “descending on him like a dove,” came upon Him at His baptism. At the same time, He was proclaimed to be the “Messiah” by the voice (God) that came from heaven. Jesus had already spent the previous thirty years of His life as a normal human being; now it was time for Him to walk in His destiny and become the Savior of the world.
PRAYER #
Lord Jesus, what a difference that one day made in your life when you were anointed. However, you responded to your calling in a loyal manner, and you never deviated from the path. You succeeded where none of the rest of us ever could. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
