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The Hebrew, Messias in the Syriac, and Christ in the Greek, means "the Anointed One." Anointing with oil was the ancient form of consecration. Christ was anointed with the Holy Ghost.

I. THE PROOFS OF CHRIST'S MESSIAHSHIP.

1. He was generally expected.

(1) Among the Jews.

(2) Among the Gentiles, as attested by the visit of the Magi and the testimony of classical writers. This is due to the settlement of the Jews among the heathen.

2. The miracles of Christ were the proof to which He always referred. These were —

(1)  Performed in public.

(2)  Wrought in different places.

(3)  Many in number.

(4)  Not denied by His enemies.

3. The prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in Him and in no one else.

(1) These were too jealously guarded for the evangelists to tamper with them.

(2) An impostor could not have fulfilled them. A man cannot arrange the place of his birth and his family, and would not have been diligent to fulfil prophecies which related to persecution and death.

4. The character of our Lord. "Which of you convinceth Me of sin?" Some have thought that if Virtue were to walk on earth all men would immediately worship her. Plato knew better. He says the good man "would be tortured, spit upon, have his eyes put out, and be crucified."

II. THE NATURE AND BLESSINGS OF CHRIST'S MESSIAHSHIP.

1. He is the true prophet.

(1) Note the characteristics of His teaching.

(a)  How weighty His lessons — life and immortality, faith, self-denial, prayer, humility, love.

(b)  How beautiful His illustrations — cornfields, lilies, leaven, fishing.

(c)  How kind His manner — what tenderness to young and afflicted, what encouragement to the timid.

(d)  How faithful His warnings. "Never man spake like this man."(2) He taught by example as well as precept.

(3) What is the testimony of believers to His teaching?

(a)  When He spoke to our hearts it was with power.

(b)  We learned more from Him in five minutes than in all our lives from others.

2. Christ is High Priest.

(1) The priests were washed in water and anointed with oil. Christ was baptized and imbued with the Spirit.

(2) The priestly functions were sacrifice, intercession, benediction. Christ" offered Himself"; "ever liveth to make intercession for us"; "gives the Spirit."

3. Christ is King.

(1)  By personal right.

(2)  By donation from the Father.

(3)  By purchase.

(4)  By conquest.

(5)  By voluntary surrender.

(J. M. Randall)

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KJV: The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

WEB: The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah comes," (he who is called Christ). "When he has come, he will declare to us all things."