The term "The Anointed One of the Lord" is a significant title found throughout the Bible, denoting individuals who have been chosen and consecrated by God for a specific purpose. This title is most prominently associated with kings, priests, and prophets in the Old Testament, and ultimately finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Old Testament Context

In the Hebrew Bible, the concept of anointing is closely linked with the Hebrew word "mashiach," meaning "anointed one." This term is used to describe those who have been set apart by God through the ritual of anointing with oil, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's empowerment and God's blessing upon their service.

1. Kings: The most frequent use of "The Anointed One" refers to the kings of Israel. Saul, the first king of Israel, is described as the Lord's anointed. In 1 Samuel 24:6 , David refrains from harming Saul, saying, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the LORD’s anointed." David himself is later anointed as king, as recorded in 1 Samuel 16:13 : "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward."

2. Priests: The high priests were also considered anointed ones. The anointing of Aaron and his sons as priests is detailed in Exodus 28:41 : "After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, so that they may serve Me as priests."

3. Prophets: Occasionally, prophets are referred to as anointed. In 1 Kings 19:16 , God commands Elijah to anoint Elisha as a prophet: "You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet."

Messianic Expectation

The Old Testament also contains prophecies of a future Anointed One, a Messiah, who would deliver Israel and establish God's kingdom. This expectation is rooted in passages such as Isaiah 61:1 : "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners."

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the title "The Anointed One" is translated into Greek as "Christos," from which the term "Christ" is derived. Jesus of Nazareth is identified as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Anointed One.

1. Jesus as the Messiah: The Gospels affirm Jesus as the Christ, the Anointed One. In Matthew 16:16 , Peter declares, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus Himself affirms His anointed mission in Luke 4:18-19 , quoting Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

2. The Anointing of Jesus: Jesus' anointing is not with oil but with the Holy Spirit. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him like a dove, as recorded in Matthew 3:16 : "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him."

3. The Role of the Anointed One: Jesus' role as the Anointed One encompasses being the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King. He is the Prophet who reveals God's will, the High Priest who offers Himself as a sacrifice for sin, and the King who reigns eternally.

Conclusion

The title "The Anointed One of the Lord" encapsulates the divine selection and empowerment of individuals for God's purposes, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the messianic hopes of the Old Testament and establishes the new covenant through His life, death, and resurrection.