A SAVIOR IS BORN
Terry R. Baughman
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18–19).
The idea of anointing extends throughout the Scripture back to the ancient priests and prophets that moved under the inspiration and prompting of the Spirit of God, to speak for God and act in His behalf. In the design of the ancient Tabernacle Moses was instructed by God to, “anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests” (Exodus 30:30).
Centuries later when Israel became a nation they began to desire a king to be like the other nations. God conceded to their repeated requests for a king and instructed the Prophet Samuel to anoint Saul as the first King of Israel. Years later after Saul was filled with pride and arrogantly rejected the instruction of God, Samuel was again directed to anoint another king for Israel. Samuel found David in Bethlehem in the household of Jesse. He was anointed as the king of Israel before his family and years later in public ceremonies. However it was noted that, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13).
The stage was set for the coming Messiah 1000 years before the birth of Jesus. It is interesting that Jesus was proclaimed to be the son (or descendant) of David. The same anointing that was upon David was also recognized on Jesus. In a synagogue in Nazareth Jesus was asked to read from the sacred text. The assigned passage was from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor” (Isaiah 61:1).
Everywhere Jesus spoke there was a witness to His anointing. Some were, “astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority” (Luke 4:32). Even officers charged with finding fault and bringing accusations admitted, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:46). Later Peter preached Jesus to the Gentiles declaring, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).
The anointing of the Spirit and the authority with which Jesus ministered was not to bring honor or acclaim for personal or political aspiration, but rather it was intentionally initiated to fulfill His greater purpose. Jesus had come to seek and save the lost. His destiny was to give Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. His anointing enabled and empowered Him to achieve His mission.
From the annunciation of the angel, “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21), to the mocking crowd of the crucifixion, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save” (Matthew 27:42), all seemed to recognize His singular purpose. Paul reflected, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
From a sinless birth to the sacred sacrifice Jesus brought salvation. His anointed ministry and His powerful resurrection provides all we need to experience everlasting life. Come to Him and be saved!
Scripture:
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Terry R. Baughman
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18–19).
The idea of anointing extends throughout the Scripture back to the ancient priests and prophets that moved under the inspiration and prompting of the Spirit of God, to speak for God and act in His behalf. In the design of the ancient Tabernacle Moses was instructed by God to, “anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests” (Exodus 30:30).
Centuries later when Israel became a nation they began to desire a king to be like the other nations. God conceded to their repeated requests for a king and instructed the Prophet Samuel to anoint Saul as the first King of Israel. Years later after Saul was filled with pride and arrogantly rejected the instruction of God, Samuel was again directed to anoint another king for Israel. Samuel found David in Bethlehem in the household of Jesse. He was anointed as the king of Israel before his family and years later in public ceremonies. However it was noted that, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13).
The stage was set for the coming Messiah 1000 years before the birth of Jesus. It is interesting that Jesus was proclaimed to be the son (or descendant) of David. The same anointing that was upon David was also recognized on Jesus. In a synagogue in Nazareth Jesus was asked to read from the sacred text. The assigned passage was from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor” (Isaiah 61:1).
Everywhere Jesus spoke there was a witness to His anointing. Some were, “astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority” (Luke 4:32). Even officers charged with finding fault and bringing accusations admitted, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:46). Later Peter preached Jesus to the Gentiles declaring, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).
The anointing of the Spirit and the authority with which Jesus ministered was not to bring honor or acclaim for personal or political aspiration, but rather it was intentionally initiated to fulfill His greater purpose. Jesus had come to seek and save the lost. His destiny was to give Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. His anointing enabled and empowered Him to achieve His mission.
From the annunciation of the angel, “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21), to the mocking crowd of the crucifixion, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save” (Matthew 27:42), all seemed to recognize His singular purpose. Paul reflected, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
From a sinless birth to the sacred sacrifice Jesus brought salvation. His anointed ministry and His powerful resurrection provides all we need to experience everlasting life. Come to Him and be saved!
Scripture:
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
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