The Purpose of “Christ”

... of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. – Mat 1:16

A couple of months ago here on TWFT, we had a series titled “For Your Sake”. It essentially was about how not factoring Jesus’s divinity makes us miss the whole purpose of the Incarnation. Reminding ourselves that Jesus is God Almighty puts a clearer perspective on the import of His miracles, His sinlessness, and His Death.

But Jesus is not only God, He’s also Man. This is important, and we should be subtly reminded of it every time we use the term “Christ”. “Christ” means anointed, but God can NOT be anointed, God is the Anoint-er! Acts 10:38 speaks of “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth...” (see also 4:27).

So what does this all mean? It means that “Christ” (see it as a term not a name) is God’s solution to Man’s problem: SIN. As a result of the Fall, we’re helplessly and hopelessly lost and separated from the infinitely Holy God. Regardless of whatever love He has for us, our SIN will perpetually make it impossible for us to fellowship with Him.

Ps 7:11 says, “God is angry with the wicked every day.”  We’ve all sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect standard. We’re rebels deserving of just judgment by the King.  But “God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST (see that term again?) died for us.” (Rom 5:8).

In this perpetual enmity between God and Man, “Christ” is the bridge. “ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS” 1Ti 2:5.

 “Christ” is thus the meeting point between God and Man.

2Co 5:19 explains it clearer: “That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.”

This is the reason why God had to, essentially, reduce Himself to be Christ. It is all for our sake. He took our form and is eternally now referred to as “the man Christ Jesus”, that we may be partakers of His divine nature (1Ti 2:5; 2Pt 1:4). Oh what a Love? What ineffable, inexpressible love? This Grace is truly Amazing. Take out time today to thank  Him specially for the Cross?

AMEN.

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

GREG ELKAN