By Clifton Angel
The Greek word Christos from which we get our word Christ, was originally a verbal adjective. It signified that someone had been anointed with oil for promotion to a certain position. The high priest was anointed with oil. Kings of Israel were anointed with oil. Yet, once it was applied to Jesus the Messiah, it was used as a proper name or title. We can read how that following Andrew's meeting of Jesus, his immediate response was: "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ" (John 1:41). Jesus is God's Anointed that Israel sought for deliverance. Let us consider some things we can learn about Jesus because He is the Christ.
He is Sovereign
The Messiah of Israel was not to be just another anointed priest, prophet, or king. He was to be the Supreme Ruler that could provide deliverance like no other. Jesus being the Christ indicates His Supreme Kingship, Priesthood, and that He is the Prophet. He superior because He is God in the flesh. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth … For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:1, 14, 17).
He is Separate
The name Jesus was a rather common name. It was Yeshuah, or Joshua, in the Hebrew. And the Joshua most common to us was commissioned with delivering Israel out of the wilderness and into the promised land. In this, he is a picture of Jesus Christ; however, he is not the Christ. Neither was any other person who bore the name Joshua or Jesus. So, THIS Jesus was separated from other men named Jesus by his title, "Christ."
He is the Savior
The name "Jesus" actually means "Savior." We've just noted that it was a common name. Therefore, any person with the name Jesus had that meaning. However, there was only one Jesus who would "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21) — Christ Jesus. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
Thanks be to God for sending the Christ, our Sovereign God who was Separated so that we might have a Savior. Have you submitted your life to the SOVEREIGN Christ Jesus? Have you SEPARATED yourself from the world by following Christ Jesus? Have you been SAVED from your sins by the blood of Christ Jesus?
The Greek word Christos from which we get our word Christ, was originally a verbal adjective. It signified that someone had been anointed with oil for promotion to a certain position. The high priest was anointed with oil. Kings of Israel were anointed with oil. Yet, once it was applied to Jesus the Messiah, it was used as a proper name or title. We can read how that following Andrew's meeting of Jesus, his immediate response was: "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ" (John 1:41). Jesus is God's Anointed that Israel sought for deliverance. Let us consider some things we can learn about Jesus because He is the Christ.
He is Sovereign
The Messiah of Israel was not to be just another anointed priest, prophet, or king. He was to be the Supreme Ruler that could provide deliverance like no other. Jesus being the Christ indicates His Supreme Kingship, Priesthood, and that He is the Prophet. He superior because He is God in the flesh. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth … For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:1, 14, 17).
He is Separate
The name Jesus was a rather common name. It was Yeshuah, or Joshua, in the Hebrew. And the Joshua most common to us was commissioned with delivering Israel out of the wilderness and into the promised land. In this, he is a picture of Jesus Christ; however, he is not the Christ. Neither was any other person who bore the name Joshua or Jesus. So, THIS Jesus was separated from other men named Jesus by his title, "Christ."
He is the Savior
The name "Jesus" actually means "Savior." We've just noted that it was a common name. Therefore, any person with the name Jesus had that meaning. However, there was only one Jesus who would "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21) — Christ Jesus. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
Thanks be to God for sending the Christ, our Sovereign God who was Separated so that we might have a Savior. Have you submitted your life to the SOVEREIGN Christ Jesus? Have you SEPARATED yourself from the world by following Christ Jesus? Have you been SAVED from your sins by the blood of Christ Jesus?
Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ
in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that
congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/
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