Here we are deep in the heart of December with Christmas less than two weeks away. It’s hard to believe the earth has made its way all around the sun yet again and that we are on the cusp of celebrating another birthday of Jesus.
Although there are many modern misconceptions surrounding Jesus, one of the most pervasive regards His name. Many refer to Jesus Christ as though these were his first and last names. And while Jesus is indeed His name assigned by Gabriel and applied by Joseph and Mary, Christ is something entirely different.
The word Christ is not Jesus’ last name nor was it common for individuals at that time to have surnames. If identification of an individual required something beyond their first name, their father’s name was usually tacked on as in “Simon, son of John,” or “James, son of Zebedee.”
Christ, on the other hand, comes from a Greek word that is actually a title meaning “anointed one,” and the Hebrew equivalent was Messiah. In ancient Israel, kings, priests, and others were anointed for special responsibilities. David was anointed to be the nation’s king and Aaron was anointed as High Priest.
One individual in particular was prophesied to be THE anointed one, different from all others. This individual would be unique from all who came before Him, He would have a special relationship with God, and He would save His people from their sins. That’s quite a set of expectations. Many prophets enthusiastically told of this Messiah’s eventual birth, ministry, and even His death and resurrection.
The excited anticipation of the arrival of the Anointed One is what fueled the joy in Andrew’s announcement to his brother Peter when he declared, “We have found the Messiah.” Jesus Himself affirmed that He was the one to fulfill these prophecies when He assured the woman at the Samaritan well that He was, in fact, the promised Christ.
Most readers are familiar with historical individuals such as William the Conqueror, Herod the Great, Jimmy The Greek, Ivan the Terrible, and others. These individuals have a descriptive title attached to their name with the definite article “the.” This word indicates they are unique and different from all other conquerors, Greeks, great, or terrible people.
So too, Jesus should have a “the” between Jesus and Christ. Far from being His last name, this title identifies Him as the special one and only promised Son of God with a unique anointing and calling. Just as He is THE Savior, THE Redeemer, and THE Lord, so too Jesus is THE Christ.
Thankfully, even though many of the titles attached to the names above are negative and harsh, Christ is a title full of hope and expectation. Because of the numerous prophecies made about Him over the centuries leading up to His birth, The Christ became a longed for answer to their deepest longings. It was these very expectations that led the Wise Men to seek Him out and that caused Anna and Simeon to get so excited when they finally laid their eyes on this holy child.
The Christ would have a very special role to play in God’s plan. This individual was the One who would bring joy and gladness along with liberty and deliverance. Although many expected political fulfillment of these prophecies, thankfully Jesus brought so much more. He brought spiritual completion that didn’t pass away with the age in which He lived, but which continues to bless all who embrace Him today.
It’s difficult for us to fully grasp or comprehend the hopes and expectations attached to the words Messiah or Christ, but as people realized that’s who Jesus was, it resulted in their devotion and worship. We should respond in similar ways today as we glory in the truth of God’s Anointed Messiah, the Christ.
As we celebrate this Christmas, let’s praise God for sending Jesus the Christ and let’s bow before Him surrendering all that He might be glorified in and through us.
Blessings, George