You know that “Christ” was not Jesus’ last name, right? His parents weren’t Joseph and Mary Christ. Christ is His title, an English translation of a Greek translation of a Hebrew word: mashiach or “messiah”. It means “anointed one.” Anointing designated someone to serve a special purpose for God. “You shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him,” God commanded to consecrate Aaron as Israel’s first high priest, acting “on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Ex. 29:7, Heb. 5:1). Samuel did the same to Israel’s first king, Saul: “Has not the LORD anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies” (1 Sam. 10:1). When Saul viciously persecuted David, the man anointed as Israel’s second king refused to retaliate: “I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed” (1 Sam. 24:10). David knew how incredible it was to be chosen by God. “For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to Your name. Great salvation He brings to His king, and shows steadfast love to His anointed, to David and his offspring forever” (Ps. 18:49-50).
God had specially promised that steadfast love and eternal kingdom to David’s heir: “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to Me a son…and his throne shall be established forever” (1 Chr. 17:11-14). Tragically, many of David’s descendants were nothing like him, leading the people into great wickedness. “Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David” (2 Chr. 21:7). Judgment came as Jerusalem was destroyed and the people went into exile, but hope in a coming Son of David only grew. The nations may plot, but the faithful remnant of God’s people were sure of His promise: God’s Anointed would reign, overcoming their enemies and ushering in restoration (cf. Ps. 2, 132).
In Jesus day, everyone was looking for the Christ. Religious authorities, Samaritan outcasts, and everyone in between knew the prophecies and debated His identity (cf. Matt. 22:41-46; Jn. 4:25-30, 7:40-44). They questioned any unique voice (cf. Lk. 3:15-17). Sketchy characters even exploited that atmosphere to rally followers of their own (cf. Matt. 23:24-28, Acts 5:33-40). Yet, there is only one Christ – and this is Jesus. He fulfilled the Scriptures, all the promises of God finding their “Yes” in Him (cf. Lk. 24:44-49, 1 Cor. 15:3-4, 2 Cor. 1:20). God attested to Jesus through His mighty works, His death for our sins, and especially His resurrection (cf. Acts 2:22-24). We can know for certain that “God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). Now the question is: how will we respond to God’s Anointed?
As different people encountered Jesus, they had all sorts of reactions. How do you see Him? This is Jesus: learn more at https://www.georgetownchurchofchrist.com/this-is-jesus.