It is common to say that Jesus lived and died as a Jew, but did he? Perhaps we’re missing a part of the story? Come and enter deeper into the mystery of Theophany and learn how Jesus became “Christian.”
Earlier this week we looked at the deeper meaning of the Feast of Theophany (Epiphany), and we looked at its deeper meaning (click here to read it).
There’s one aspect, however, I didn’t mention – that’s the anointing of Jesus.
We can’t overlook this because it’s by our chrismation (anointing with chrism), which is in imitation of Christ, that we receive the Holy Spirit.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT THE DOVE CAME UPON JESUS
Let’s review what Scripture says,
This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! … I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:28-29, 31-34 RSV)
So St. John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River, then the Spirit, in the form of a dove, descends upon Christ.
This is a very crucial detail. Here’s what St. Cyril of Jerusalem (4th century) says:
“[Christ] also bathed Himself in the river Jordan, and having imparted of the fragrance of His Godhead to the waters, He came up from them; and the Holy Ghost in substance lighted upon Him… For Christ was not anointed by men with oil or material ointment, but the Father having appointed Him to be the Savior of the whole world, anointed Him with the Holy Ghost…He was anointed with the spiritual oil of gladness, the Holy Ghost, who is so called, because He is the author of spiritual gladness…” (Mystagogical Catechesis III.1, On the Holy Chrism)
JESUS IS ANOINTED BY THE DOVE AND IS CHRIST
The descent of the Holy Spirit as a dove upon Jesus is an anointing.
Jesus is baptized, and then he’s anointed.
This makes sense…after all, we call Jesus: “Christ.”
“Christ” is the Greek form of the word, “messiah,” which is a Hebrew word that means, “anointed!”
So, when we call Jesus, “Christ,” what we are saying is that Jesus is the anointed Son of God.
The Feast of Theophany, among other things, celebrates this recognition.
It celebrates that Jesus is the anointed King who comes to grant us salvation.
WE ARE CHRISMATED IN IMITATION OF CHRIST
When Orthodox Christians are baptized, they mimic this sequence: we baptize, then we anoint with chrism.
Being chrismated in the Orthodox Church is very important. Here’s what St. Cyril said in the 4th century:
“Having been baptized into Christ, and put on Christ, ye have been made conformable to the Son of God; for God having predestined us to the adoption of sons, made us share the fashion of Christ’s glorious body. Being, therefore partakers of Christ, ye are properly called christs, and of you God said, ‘Touch not My christs, or anointed.’ Now ye were made christs, by receiving the emblem of the Holy Ghost [chrismation]. …In the same manner [as Jesus]…after you had come up from the pool of the sacred streams, [you were] given the Unction [chrismation], the emblem of that wherewith Christ was anointed; and this is the Holy Ghost…” (Mystagogical Catechesis III.1, On the Holy Chrism)
OUR CHRISMATION GIFTS US WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Just as Jesus was anointed by the Father with the Holy Spirit at his baptism, so too are Orthodox Christians anointed and sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Many people think that one becomes a Christian through baptism, but that’s not what the Church teaches.
Being a “Christian” means you are anointed, for that’s what the word means.
It is by means of our chrismation, and our reception of the Holy Spirit, that we become “Christians” in the proper sense of the word.
“When ye are counted worthy of this Holy Chrism, ye are called Christians, verifying also the name by your new birth. For before you were vouchsafed this grace, ye had properly no right to this title, but were advancing on your way towards being Christians.” (Mystagogical Catechesis III.5, On the Holy Chrism)
JESUS IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD
In modern “Historical Jesus” studies, it is often popular to say that Jesus was a Jew.
In a way this is true; Jesus, though, unlike modern Jewish worship, worshiped in the Temple.
However, what these scholars have failed to understand is Jesus’ anointing at his baptism.
When the Holy Spirit descends upon Christ, the world understands that he is truly the Christ – a Christian, if you will – and the one who saves the world through his death!
NOW ANOINTED, WE ARE TO LIVE AS CHRISTIANS
Now, as Christians, we have a challenge, and that is to remain faithful to our anointing!
St. Cyril gives us this advice:
“Keep This [anointing with chrism] unspotted: for It shall teach you all things if It abides in you… For this holy thing is a spiritual preservation of the body, and safeguard of the soul. …Having been anointed, therefore, with this holy ointment, keep it unspotted and unblemished in you, pressing forward by good works, and becoming well-pleasing to the Captain of your salvation, Christ Jesus, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen!” (Mystagogical Catechesis III.7, On the Holy Chrism)
Come this Sunday and enter into the mystery.
St. Elias Services (2001 Asbury Rd, Dubuque, IA)
Sundays, 9:30 am
Or find your nearest Orthodox Church by clicking here.
P.S. If you’d like to read all of St. Cyril’s Mystagogical Catechesis, which is published by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, you may purchase it by clicking here.