JES-02 The Christ

In most parts of the world today, people have at least two names. For example, they might have both a family name that identifies them as part of a particular group, and a given name that identifies them as individuals. So, when we teach children about Jesus Christ, they often assume that “Jesus” is his given name and that “Christ” is his family name. In fact, sometimes even adults have this misconception. But this shouldn’t be surprising. After all, even the Bible sometimes uses the word “Christ” as if it were Jesus’ name. But in reality, the word “Christ” is a title that identifies Jesus’ service and honor in God’s kingdom.

This is the second lesson in our series We Believe in Jesus. And we’ve entitled it “The Christ.” Our strategy in this lesson will be to focus on events and characteristics of Jesus’ life that help explain what it means for him to be the Christ.

The word “Christ” simply means anointed one. It translates the New Testament Greek word Christos, which itself translates the Old Testament Hebrew word mashiach or messiah.

Many people are surprised to know that the Bible doesn’t use the term “Christ” or “anointed one” exclusively for Jesus. It’s actually a fairly common term in the Old Testament, referring to people that were anointed with oil to mark them as God’s special servants. At certain stages in Old Testament history, all prophets, priests and kings could be called “anointed ones,” in a general sense.

For example, one of the most important meanings of the term “messiah” or “Christ” in the Old Testament was its reference to the descendants of David that served as kings over Israel and Judah. We see this in places like 2 Chronicles 6:42; Psalm 89:38-39, as well as verse 51; and Psalm 132:10, 17.

But portions of the Old Testament also created the expectation that a very special Anointed One was going to come in the future. He would embody all these roles in unique ways, and would accomplish all of God’s saving purposes in the world. And this person came to be known among the Jews simply as the Messiah or the Christ. And of course, Christians around the world know that Jesus was this great Messiah, the final Anointed One, the Christ.