The Real Meaning Of Christ

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.