The Person of Christ

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. – Mat 1:1

“Christ” is not Jesus’ surname. “Christ” was originally a verbal adjective meaning “anointed”. It comes from the Greek verb chrio (to anoint) and corresponds to the Hebrew mashach which means “to rub with oil”. Thus the two derivative terms, the Greek Christos and the Hebrew mashiyach (“Christ” and “Messiah”) are essentially the same thing: an anointed person.

Though there were several “anointed” in the Old Testament, with time, the term mashiyach became a proper title used for the expected Great King that was foretold by the Prophets to deliver the Jews from all their enemies.

In this sense, Andrew was one of the first persons to identify the man Jesus as the Christ. He said to his brother Peter in Jn 1:41, “We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, Christ”.

Thus “Christ”, just like “Messiah”, soon became a proper name and the Gospel writers frequently referred to Jesus as “Jesus Christ”. Paul even flips it often times in his Epistles as “Christ Jesus”.

But who is Christ Jesus and why did He come? The Bible explains it clearly:

1Ti 1:15 – “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

Mat 1:21 – And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

This, much more than the fame, the miracles, the great teachings and iconology

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN