The Anointed

The manner in which Jesus was introduced upon the scene of His mission and work as the Christ—the Anointed One; — is thus related by Matthew: “In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying: Repent ye: for the Royal Majesty of the heavens has approached. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness—Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make his paths straight …. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan: And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” …. “And he said unto them, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that Cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with Holy Spirit and with fire.”

“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John to be baptized of him. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? Jesus, answering, said unto him: Suffer it now, for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him. And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. iii.). “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age” (Luke iii.).

The descent of the Holy Spirit dove upon the head of Jesus, fulfilled a portion of Gabriel’s prophecy: the “Sealing the vision and prophet,” and “Anointing the holy One of holy ones” (Dan. ix.; Anatolia p. 34). The apostolic testimony is in harmony, and pointedly reveals the person to whom the prophecy refers. The word in the record of John saith concerning Jesus,—“Him hath God the Father sealed” (John vi. 27). And Peter, addressing the household of Cornelius, said: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” (Acts x.).

Prefiguring this anointing Spirit, the “holy anointing oil” was used in the service of the Tabernacle under the law of Moses. With the “holy oil” the Tabernacle and all the vessels of the sanctuary, the high-priest and his sons were anointed. The One in many being thus typified also. “The Spirit is the truth,” saith the apostle; “and he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God; for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John iii. 34-36).

The Prophet foretold of the harmlessness and gentleness that should characterize the Spirit of Christ. The living fulfilment of it in the life of Jesus, the testimony of Matthew records. When on one occasion the Pharisees “held a council against him how they might destroy him,” Jesus quietly “withdrew himself,” and continued His work of grace and mercy in healing the people. “That it might be fulfilled” (saith the record) “which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased. I (Yahweh) will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive nor cry: neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust” (Matt. xii.). Concerning the mission of this Anointed One, the word through the prophet still further testifies: “Thus saith God the Lord, He that created the heavens and stretched them out: I, Yahweh, have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand and will keep thee, and will give thee for a covenant of the people: for a light of the Gentiles: to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house” (Isaiah xlii.).