436. The word “Christ” comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah, which means “anointed”. It became the name proper to Jesus only because he accomplished perfectly the divine mission that “Christ” signifies. In effect, in Israel those consecrated to God for a mission that he gave were anointed in his name. This was the case for kings, for priests and, in rare instances, for prophets. This had to be the case all the more so for the Messiah whom God would send to inaugurate his kingdom definitively. It was necessary that the Messiah be anointed by the Spirit of the Lord at once as king and priest, and also as prophet. Jesus fulfilled the messianic hope of Israel in his threefold office of priest, prophet and king.
Aprofunde seus conhecimentos
82. Why is Jesus called “Christ”?
297. Why is there a sacrament of Reconciliation after Baptism?
101. In what sense is the life of Christ a Mystery?
140. What does it mean that the Spirit “has spoken through the prophets”?
470. What is forbidden by the fifth commandment?
552. How can adoration be defined?
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What does “giving thanks in all circumstances” mean in 1 Thessalonians 5:18?
What is the importance of gratitude in the Christian life, according to the first letter to Timothy?
What does it mean to choose godliness over the flesh, according to 1 Peter 4:1-6?
How do the Psalms teach us to be more sensitive to God’s presence (Psalm 139:1-4)?
What was David’s attitude toward Mephibosheth, and what can we learn from this story?
What do Daniel’s visions of the ram and the goat in Daniel 8 mean?
