The Meaning of Messiah

In this majestic and deeply historical message, Chuck Swindoll explores the most recognizable yet often misunderstood title of Jesus Christ: the “Messiah.” Chuck begins with a powerful cultural parallel, comparing the title to the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the world-famous statue in the Louvre that stands as a one-of-a-kind Masterwork. However, for most people, the word “Messiah” immediately evokes the sounds of George Frederick Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece rather than the pages of Hebrew Scripture. Chuck argues that while the music is incomparable, the theology behind the title is even more significant. This study serves as a spiritual anchor, moving the believer away from a merely musical appreciation of the Messiah and toward a robust, “Resident Dynamic” understanding of Jesus as the “Anointed One” who fulfills every ancient promise of God.

The core of the teaching focuses on the linguistic and prophetic transition from the Hebrew Mashiach to the Greek Christos. Chuck observes that for centuries, the Jewish people lived in a state of high-pitched anticipation, waiting for a deliverer who would break the yoke of Roman oppression. By examining the “case for the gap” between human expectations and divine revelation, Chuck reveals that Jesus did not come as a political revolutionary, but as a spiritual Savior. The message emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is the one who “anointed” Jesus for His threefold office of Prophet, Priest, and King. The goal of this message is to stabilize the believer’s faith, reminding us that we serve a Messiah who has already won the spiritual victory and who reigns as the supreme “Harbor Pilot” over the complexities of our lives.

Message Key Facts:

• The “One-of-a-Kind” Masterpiece: Chuck uses the illustration of Handel’s Messiah and the Winged Victory to highlight that some things are simply beyond comparison. He notes that Handel composed the entire oratorio in just twenty-four days, a feat that many consider to be a result of divine inspiration. Chuck argues that just as the music is unique in the world of art, the Messiah is unique in the world of theology—standing alone as the only bridge between a Holy God and a fallen humanity.
• The Meaning of “Anointed”: A major highlight is the word study of Mashiach. Chuck explains that in the Old Testament, oil was poured on the heads of prophets, priests, and kings to set them apart for God’s service. This oil was a physical symbol of the Holy Spirit’s “Resident Dynamic” and power. When we call Jesus “the Messiah,” we are acknowledging that He is the one whom God the Father has uniquely empowered and authorized to speak His word, intercede for His people, and rule over His creation.
• The Jewish Misconception: Chuck dives into the “rattling test” that Jesus’ life presented to first-century Israel. The Jews were looking for a “Lion” to devour Rome, but God sent a “Lamb” to be devoured for sin. He notes that the tragedy of Israel was looking for a political solution to a spiritual problem. Chuck warns against a modern “Voodoo Christianity” that similarly tries to use Christ for political or personal gain rather than submitting to His spiritual Lordship.
• The Threefold Office: Chuck unpacks how Jesus fulfills the three essential roles of the Messiah:
  1. Prophet: He is the Truth of God, speaking the final word of revelation to a lost world.
  2. Priest: He is the Way to God, offering Himself as the final sacrifice and interceding for us as our Advocate.
  3. King: He is the Life of God, reigning now in the hearts of believers and soon over all the Earth as “King of Kings.”
• The “Already/Not Yet” Paradox: Chuck addresses the tension of living in a world that doesn’t yet look like the Messiah’s kingdom. While the “strike” between man and God has been settled at the cross, the full manifestation of His reign is still to come. He posits that the Spirit acts as the “Pilot” who navigates us through this interim period, giving us a “quiet calm” and “reassuring peace” even when the “minor key” of life seems to dominate our circumstances.
• Handel’s Finale and the Standing King: The sermon concludes with the story of King George II, who was so moved by the Hallelujah Chorus that he stood to his feet, compelling the entire audience to do the same. Chuck uses this to illustrate that even the greatest Earthly authorities must acknowledge the “Supreme Rank” of the Messiah. He calls the congregation to a “posture of the heart” that remains standing in awe of the Anointed One.

Message References:

• John 1:41: The moment Andrew tells Peter, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). Chuck uses this to show the immediate, life-changing impact of recognizing Jesus’ identity.
• Psalm 2:2: The prophetic warning regarding the kings of the Earth taking counsel together “against the Lord and against His Anointed.” Chuck uses this to show that the Messiah’s authority has always been challenged by the pride of man.
• Isaiah 61:1: The foundational Messianic job description: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.” Chuck links this to Jesus’ reading in the Nazareth synagogue, proving the Spirit is the source of the Messiah’s power.
• Matthew 16:16: Peter’s great confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Chuck highlights that this revelation did not come from human logic but from the Father through the illumination of the Spirit.
• Isaiah 53:1–6: The “Suffering Servant” prophecy. Chuck uses this to explain why the Jewish people missed their Messiah; they couldn’t reconcile a “man of sorrows” with their vision of a conquering king.
• Daniel 9:25–26: The technical prophecy of the “Messiah the Prince” being “cut off.” Chuck uses this to show the precision of God’s plan and the “inscrutable” wisdom of the cross.
• Revelation 19:11–16: The climactic return of the Messiah. Chuck points to the names “Faithful and True” and “King of Kings” to show the ultimate, unshakeable victory of the Anointed One over the forces of evil.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll