Christos or Meshiach - What does it mean?
EJD
"Christos" is a Greek word in which "Christ" is an English transliteration of that word. "Christos" or Christ is a translation for the Hebrew word, which is pronounced mashiach, the word from which we get the English word "messiah" from. The base definition for all of these words, from the Hebrew root mashach, is simply "to rub the oil in" or "to anoint." It was an action connected with important rites. In ancient Israel kings, priests, and prophets received their inauguration by having olive oil poured on their heads in an act of anointing. The classic and poetic description of this is found in one of the psalms where Aaron, the high priest or Cohen haGadol received the anointing: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard; even Aaron's beard, that cometh down upon the collar of his garments (Psalm 133:1, 2 JPS - see also Exodus 30:25-30). "Christos" or Christ also became a technical term to describe an individual of unusual qualities. When used this way the words involved receive the definite article: The Christ, "HO Cristos," and "HaMeshiach." Certain important persons received this special title and formed the basis for this idea of a "super messiah." King David became a type of this messianic quality, because of his devotion to God, the importance of his kingdom, and, mainly, the many promises of God concerning a future son of his that would sit on the throne and rule the world. The rule of this future "son of David" promised by God is said to be characterized by universal benevolence and justice, which will last for a whole millennium. Communism's "utopia" and Hitler's "Third Reich" (that was supposed to continue for a thousand years) attempted to steal from this messianic concept. But as history has shown both ended in a catastrophe for humanity. This is an example of a "messianic age" idea, which some hold is the meaning of "The Messiah." The trouble with a messianic age idea is in the failure of humanity to fulfill a divine ideal in a closed system (without divine intervention).
How about messianic individuals? There have been many candidates. David Koresh, cult leader of the Branch Davidians, is an example of a false messiah. Interestingly, Cyrus (Koresh is the Hebrew transliteration), the famous Persian king who issued the decree for the Jews to return to Israel and rebuild the Temple was non-Jewish. God made him a messiah (Isaiah 45:1), because there had to be political power in order for a national shrine to be built. Jews, since the fall of Jerusalem in 586-7 BCE and the destruction of the First Temple, have been living in an era the Scriptures call "The Times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). This is non-Jewish political control of the Land of the Israel. "Times" are the different periods of Gentile powers that have this control throughout history. Thus, Cyrus, one of those Gentile powers, authorized the rebuilding of the Temple as a surrogate David.
What about the true Messiah? Mark Twain's story of "The Prince and the Pauper" tells how two look-alike boys trade places. The prince learns what life is like in the poorest of places. The pauper (poor boy) discovers how awkward it is for someone poor to step into the affairs of state. Twain's fictional story captures an important truth. The same messiah must live in the poorest of settings to experience the worst of conditions, so that when he rules he will promote justice with empathetic understanding. The Joseph story in the Bible reminds us of this. First he was falsely accused and spent time in an Egyptian prison, then God exalted him to the right hand of Pharaoh to be the second in command. Jesus lived among us. He left heaven's glory to become one of us. The prince became the pauper. He did more. He took all of our sins - the cause for our impoverishment, our destruction, our bondage, and our suffering. He destroyed our sins on the cross. One day He shall return and rebuild the Temple, the International shrine, and rule with benevolence and justice. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, at this time, his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus (Romans 3:24-26). This Messiah or Christ can save your soul from sin by faith.
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