Christ the Anointed King

Welcome back! This week I'm continuing our look into the word Christ (be sure to check out last week's introduction). I'll begin by looking at the word "Christ's" equivalent in the OT - "Messiah." 

The term “Messiah” is a transliteration of a Hebrew or Aramaic verbal adjective that means “Anointed One.” It comes from a verb that means “to anoint” someone as an action involved in consecrating that person to a particular office or function. While the term at first applied to the king of Israel (“the Lord’s anointed”—1 Sam. 10:1; 16:6, 13; 1 K. 1:39), the High-Priest (“the anointed priest,” Lev. 4:3) and, in one passage, the patriarchs (“my anointed ones,” Ps. 105:15), the term eventually came to point above all to the prophesied “Coming One” or “Messiah” in His role as prophet, priest, and king. The term “Christ,” a Greek word (verbal adjective) that comes from a verb meaning “to anoint,” is used in translating the Hebrew term, so that the terms “Messiah” or “Christ” are titles and not personal names of Jesus. - LASB

Not only were the Jews looking for the coming of the Messiah (Jn. 1:41), but also were the Samaritans (Jn. 4:25). Although the Samaritans expected not a Messiah in the Jewish sense, but a prophet like Moses (Dt 18:15–18) who would restore them.

In John 1:35-42 we see that Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, is the one who came to Peter saying "we found the Christ!" Later in Jn. 6:67-69 Peter said that we (the 12 disciples), ' believe and are sure you are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Though most are more familiar with the passage where Jesus asks the twelve, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Where Peter replied, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Mt. 16:13-16) Even Martha later moments before Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave said that she believes He is "the Christ, the Son of God." (Jn. 11:27)

Now, the title: "Son of the living God" was an appropriate title for the Davidic line, especially for the ultimate ruler (2 Sam. 7:14; Ps 2:7), as also recognized in the Qumran scrolls.

As noted above, the primary sense of the title "Christ" is king. Therefore, we'll look at some passages in light of this to better understand Jesus as the Christ/King.

 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ (the King) to sit on his throne;
 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ (the King), that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ (the King). - Acts 2:30-36

Here it is easy to see that Christ is King according to the Davidic line as other passages also show:

 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ (the King) our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; - Rom. 1:3

 8 Remember that Jesus Christ (the King) of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: - 2 Tim. 2:8

By looking at these according to Christ's primary title of "the King," help us see it readily in plain English. In the following passage the disciples quoted Ps, 2, a messianic psalm, in their prayer revealing their understanding that Christ is King.

 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ (the King).

 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed (has made King) , both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. - Acts 4:24-28

The apostle John acknowledged not only that Jesus is King, but the Chief of the kings of the earth.

 5 And from Jesus Christ (the King), who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince (ruler; chief) of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, - Rev. 1:5

 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ (King); and he shall reign for ever and ever. - Rev. 11:15

You probably noticed above that the "kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ (King); and he shall reign for ever and ever." Reading "King" in favor of "Christ" likewise makes this clearer. In order to be a king one needs to have a kingdom, right? In Acts 8:12 we see this connection:

 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ (the King), they were baptized, both men and women.

In the book of Acts we see where Jesus and Paul both preached the kingdom of God also (1:1-3; 20:25; 28:23, 31)

Next, we see that Jesus as King will judge the living and the dead at His coming and kingdom. A king is someone who executes judgment and justice (2 Sam. 8:15; 1 K. 3:28).

 1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ (the King), who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; - 2 Tim. 4:1

Some other familiar passages that reveal this are Mt. 25:31-46; Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10; etc.

Lastly, before I close, we'll look at a clear reference that the people professed Jesus to be the King of Israel during what is commonly referred to as the triumphal entry, though amazingly His own disciples didn't understand at that time, despite their earlier confession.

 12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

 14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

 16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. - Jn. 12:12-16

With that, I'm going to bring this week's post to a close, since I don't want to make it too long. In the meantime I encourage you to further study on this topic. I left plenty of verses with the intent for you to search this out more on your own. Until next time when I pick up where I've left off today, grace and peace to you.