DAILY VIDEO DEVOTIONAL
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ (Messiah) the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
It must have been an extraordinary moment: the son of a carpenter stood in the middle of the Jordan River. A wild looking “prophet” baptized the young man from Nazareth — and then the incredible scene unfolded. Upon the one called Jesus, the Spirit of the living God descended in the form of a dove. Then the Father, the God who created the universe, spoke: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The moment was incredible for two reasons. First, God manifested the totality of His personhood: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Every aspect of the triune God was seen at that moment. And why was there such revelation at that event? Because it was the moment for which all creation had been waiting. It was the time for the Christ, the Messiah, to be revealed. Prior to this day in the life of Jesus, we have no record of His ministry. But after the anointing, Jesus begins His public ministry with signs, wonders, and miracles.
From the beginning, one of the names ascribed to Jesus was that of the “Christ.” It comes from the Greek word used for the Old Testament name “Messiah,” which meant “Anointed One.” The “Messiah” had been promised as the Savior of the world. In that society, three kinds of people were anointed when they took their official position: prophets, kings, and priests. Oil was poured over their heads as a symbol of their consecration. They were set apart for the particular office for which God had chosen them. The oil represented the Holy Spirit’s gifting and enabling to carry out that office.
The prophet needed wisdom because no man could foretell events unless inspired by the Spirit of God. So the prophet was anointed to signify the communication of the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge. The priest needed grace and holiness because no person could offer an acceptable sacrifice to God for the sins of men or profitably minister in holy things unless he was living by the Spirit of grace and holiness. The king needed inspiration and leadership because no man could enact just and equitable laws without the inspiration of the Father. Therefore prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with oil.
On that historic day, Jesus was anointed as the prophet who would show the way of God, as the priest who would offer the eternal sacrifice for the sins of mankind, and as the king who would reign in the hearts of men. He was not only the prophet who showed the way, but He was the way. He was not only the priest who would offer a sacrifice for the people, but He became the sacrifice that would take away the sins of the world. He was not only the king who would lead the people, but He was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He was the Messiah. — the Anointed One.
Often I hear believers talking about who has the “anointing.” Let me say to you who know Jesus: If you have the Messiah living in your heart, you not only have the anointing, but by definition, you also have the Anointed One in your life. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Luke : Chapter 2
1) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2) (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3) And everyone went to their own town to register. 4) So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5) He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6) While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7) and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14) “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Book of the Month
Sammy Tippit told his fiancée, “I can’t promise we’ll be rich, but life won’t be boring.”
Sammy had no idea what an understatement that would become. Beginning in the bars of Baton Rouge and the nightclubs of Chicago, Tippit has shared the news of life-changing faith in Christ all over the world – including in the middle of a revolution in Romania, the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, and war in Burundi and the Congo.
Sammy’s lifelong adventure has come at a great price. He’s been cursed, threatened, arrested, deported, and blacklisted. He’s also been personally broken, ravaged with illness, and devastated by grief.
Yet he continues to preach to in stadiums, in open fields, and via satellite technology to hundreds of thousands around the globe. For all other books…
About Sammy Tippit Ministries
STM has been providing inspiration and help around the world for nearly 50 years. Sammy Tippit, founder and president, is a world renowned counselor, teacher and evangelist with experience serving and helping people in over 80 countries. Sammy provides materials that help people tackle a broad array of social, societal, psychological and spiritual issues. He is particularly passionate about making materials accessible to other countries around the world. Sammy is married to Debara “Tex” Tippit, and they have two children and five grandchildren.
Sammy Tippit Ministries is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
Contact: info@sammytippit.org
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