19 February 2024 - Jesus the Christ

Luke 9:20(KJV) He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

Matthew 16:16(NKJV) Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

The word Christ is from the similar-sounding Greek word Christos, which describes the divine Son of God, the Anointed King, and the Messiah. The literal definition of anointed refers to the application of oil, although it also refers to one's consecration by God. Kings and prophets were anointed as a way of setting them apart as chosen by God. The title Christ means that Jesus was chosen to deliver God's people. It means that He is the One who fulfils the Old Testament prophecies, and He is God's Anointed One.

Luke 1:31(NKJV) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.

Matthew 1:21(NASB) She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

Jesus means Saviour for He will save His people from their sins. More appropriate translation for Jesus' name is God rescues. Jesus saves, forgives, heals, makes alive. Everything about Him, including His name, His action, and His presence, have the same meaning and action and result.

The name Jesus is also combined with His title (Christ), meaning Jesus, the anointed One, or Jesus, the chosen One. Jesus is His human name as announced to Mary by the angel Gabriel, and Christ is His title, as the chosen, anointed Son of God.

Luke 2:10-11(NKJV) Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”

Christ is Lord - Luke 2:11(NASB) for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

Jesus Christ is Lord.

Philippians 2:9-11(NKJV) Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

"Unless Jesus is Lord of all, He is not Lord at all." – S.M Zwemer

The central message of the Bible is: Jesus Christ is Lord. For Jesus to be Lord of our lives means that He is the ruler, the master of your whole life. He cannot be Lord of a part - He must be given control of the entire life - the whole life.