Many people think Christ is one of Jesus’ names, (Jesus Christ). Others think it is a cuss word, (Oh Christ). It is neither.
Christ = Messiah = God’s Conquering King
Christ is the Greek word for Messiah. Christ and Messiah are the same thing. They both literally mean anointed one.
Though many passages in the Old Testament mention and describe the Messiah, they usually do not use the word, Messiah. Instead it is used of those who are anointed (kings, priests, prophets).
Things changed by the time that the New Testament was written. By then Messiah and Christ were used exclusively of the Messiah and not of anointed people.
Christ first of all refers to the promised Messiah, and only indirectly refers to Jesus, since Jesus is the promised Messiah. When Christ is used in the New Testament, don’t automatically think of Jesus. Think of the Messiah, God’s anointed king.
The Messiah concept started when God promised king David that his descendant would build a house for God and God would establish his throne forever (2 Samuel 7:13). From that time on people looked for the kings in David’s royal linage to accomplish these things. That did not happen. After almost twenty generations of Davidic kings, the Babylonians conquered Israel, ended the reign of the Davidic kings, moved Israel’s leaders to Babylon, and took over Israel. Even after this the Jews still looked for the king, the Messiah, to come and rescue them.
The King Came
The Old Testament foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4-6), be a descendant of king David (2 Samuel 7:13), and live during the time when Jesus lived (Daniel 9:24-27). Jesus met these prophecies. No one else did.
Simeon, an elderly man living during the time of Jesus’ birth had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah (Luke 2:26). He met the baby, Jesus, at the temple and recognized him as the Messiah (Luke 2:27-35). When Jesus was an adult, His students considered him to be the Messiah (Mark 8:29; John 1:41-42). He told people that he was the Messiah (Mark 14:60-62; John 4:25-26). The demons he cast out knew that he was the Messiah (Luke 4:41). Even those who killed him were aware that he could be the Messiah (Luke 23:2).
The gospel of the Christ (Mark 1:1; Romans 1:1, 16; 15:9, 29; 1 Corinthians 9:12, 18, 2 Corinthians 2:12; 4:4; 9:13; 10:14; Galatians 1:7; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 3:2) is the good news that the promised king has finally come. For hundreds of years the Jews had waited for Him to come. He came. This is good news. This is the gospel.
The Conquering King Had No Throne
The Messiah was supposed to conquer the enemies of the Jews and free them (Isaiah 41:27-42:1; 52:7-10; 61:1-9, Nahum 1:15). But this conquering king came incognito. He told very few that he was a king. He did not gather an army and mow down the enemy with swords and spears. He allowed his enemies to win. The followers of Christ also are to follow this example and allow their enemies to win over them (This is the underlying theme of 1 Peter - 1 Peter 2:20-23; 4:1).
It seemed that he did not conquer but conquer he did. Any king can conquer with blazing swords. Jesus conquered God’s way through peace (Romans 16:20). He is still conquering today, incognito. He does not conquer as we think He should. He conquers God’s way. Someday He will come as a conquering king with an army that He has gathered in times of peace. Someday we will see just how effective His invisible and peaceful workings were.
Not Just for the Jews Anymore
Though he was a peaceful person and did nothing wrong, the Jewish leadership accused God’s Anointed of crimes against God and executed him on a cross. They rejected and killed their rescuer. He told them he had come to rescue them (Luke 9:56; 19:10; John 3:17; 5:34; 10:9; 12:47) but they did not trust Him.
Now the Messiah has turned to anyone who will trust Him. His death has become a sacrifice for all sin (Hebrews 10:12). He is no longer limited to the Jews (Galatians 3:13-14). Whoever trusts in Him will be rescued (John 3:15).
The King is Alive
The Messiah came back to life after His death. He is alive right now. He is alive for a reason, to help us (Hebrews 7:25). It is not a fairy tale. It is true. It is real. The Messiah is in the spiritual realm helping those who turn to Him.
Most people ignore Him and go about doing what they want to do. Those who ignore Him, do so to their own detriment.
Things are Different Now
Just as a conquering king destroys the government and laws of the country he invades and sets up his own law and government, so the Messiah has also done away with the law and set up His own reign. Those who insist on keeping the law, avoiding a list of sins, or living by certain do’s and dont’s, have made the Messiah useless to them (Galatians 5:4). The Messiah has come so that He can guide you along the right path as you trust Him.
A New Life with the King
If you want to be a real Christian, you must first trust the invisible Messiah. You must believe that the things the Bible says about Him are true and trust Him to take care of you. "You are all sons of God through your trust in Messiah Jesus" (Galatians 3:26 - bible4ang.com)
Then you must stay in Him and let Him stay in you (John 15:4). You will not see Him in you. He is a spirit. He is invisible. You may not even feel Him in you. You must trust that He is there (Eph 3:17). The Messiah in you is the hope of greatness (Colossians 1:27).
How does this work? If you trust the Messiah, He is in you. He is ready to do good through you. When you do what He would do, you mirror His image. It is as if his image is projected into mid-air. What would Jesus do in this situation? That is where His image is. Get in that image and follow it.
"He that says he stays in Him also ought to live each moment himself just as He lived each moment." (1 John 2:6 - bible4ang.com)
When you do what you want and not what He wants, you leave His image behind. You stop remaining in Him.
"The LORD is with you, while you be with him; and if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you" (2 Chronicles 15:2).
The Image of Christ Revealed
How do you know where His image is? First of all read about Him and His words in the Bible and obey Him (John 15:7, 10). Then listen to and follow what the Spirit says (Romans 8:1, 4). Since the Messiah is not visible today, He uses the Spirit to work individually with His followers. To listen to the Spirit, you must take time out for God, humble yourself before Him, bow down to Him, talk with Him, think about Him, look for Him, and listen. Get out of the way and let the king guide you.
Set aside time each day to do this.
This is not the kind of life that most Christians live. They have forsaken God for Satan’s many toys, entertainments, games, and sins. They don’t have time for the king. No wonder God cannot be found today. No wonder churches are dead.
Obama is not the problem with America. The bullying tactics of homosexuals and atheists are not the problem. Christians not taking a stand and not writing their Congressmen is not the problem. The problem is Christians who do not know the real meaning of Christ, Christians who do not follow Him each moment of the day.
Will you be a true Christian?
The King is here. It is time to throw off the distractions and follow the conquering king. He will save your life.
