The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

THE CHRIST

Today, the title “Christ” naturally follows the name of Jesus. However, during the time that the Gospels were written, people sparingly and carefully used the word “Christ,” the Greek form of the Hebrew word “Messiah,” which literally means “Anointed One.” In the Old Testament, the three types of people who were anointed were prophets (1Ki 19:16), priests (Ex 28:41) and kings (1Sa 16:13). In the New Testament, Jesus is God’s preeminent Anointed One who was anointed by God to be the ultimate prophet, priest and king (Mt 27:11; Heb 6:20; cf. Isa 61:1). The Pharisees and religious leaders during that time viewed such a claim as blasphemous and punishable by death. However, the word “Christ” is used to refer to Jesus 470 times throughout the New Testament. When the word “Christ” was used anywhere in the New Testament, the author was very aware of the implications of his use of that word — what it meant for him as an author, and what it said about his Savior.

Jesus, you are the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One humanity has been waiting for to save them. You are prophet, priest and king, and I worship you with all that I am. Amen.