Christ

Christ

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

Some people think that "Christ" is Jesus' last name.

Jesus Christ, like Johnson or smith

If you have thought that, don't feel bad. It is just evidence that over the centuries our understanding of Jesus as the Christ has become so solid in our thinking that we don't think of "Jesus" without "Christ."

 Jesus is his name; Christ his title. Among all the titles he bears, Son of God, Son of Man, Good Shepherd, Alpha and Omega, it all begins in the gospel story with this one incredible announcement: the baby born on an ordinary day in Bethlehem was the Messiah, the Anointed One.

"He is Christ the Lord." "Christos" in Greek, "Messiah" in Hebrew, "Anointed One" in English, the name means one with the divine designation to split all of history between this age and the age to come.

The One and Only. The Beginning of all and the Conclusion of all. But what is the meaning of "Anointed One"?

In the Old Testament kings were anointed, as were priests, and prophets. And so when we hear "Christ" our minds should spin around like a compass seeking its orientation, landing on Jesus the King who rules over a different kind of kingdom, ruling in people's lives not just because they are in his realm but because he is in their hearts.

Priest: one who stands between God and humanity. One who sacrifices; one who intercedes. The mediator, the bridge.

And he is Prophet too. Prophets had brought the words of God to the people, but the Messiah is the Word of God to the people. In those days when the heavy hand of Caesar Augustus gripped the land of Promise, people were looking for the Anointed One to come.

 They were hoping for a large army, not a multitude of the heavenly host.

They assumed a bigger and better David, not an obscure rabbi wrapped in rumor of magic and charisma who always seemed like an outsider when he visited Jerusalem.

They probably expected an orator, but the speeches of this Messiah left people speechless. The very best things God does in our lives usually come as a surprise to us.

So wouldn't it be surprising if we who think we know so much about Jesus, and who presume to be on a last-name basis, would be startled to see him in a whole new way.

Lets get real, live manifestation of God on earth. This, the angel said, was "good news of great joy." What could be better than God landing in the midst of our lives?

 

Prayer

Christ, you are the King above all other kings, the high priest who has made the ultimate sacrifice, the prophet who has had the last word. Let me be astonished this Christmas by knowing more fully than ever before, that you really have come and have changed this world