The Meaning Of Christ

The Meaning of Christ

Do you know the meaning of Christ? You’ve heard of Jesus Christ. People say it like Christ is Jesus’ last name. Others say Jesus Christ emphatically like a curse word. They may not even realize what they are really saying, but they are still blaspheming Jesus’ Holy name just the same. People say Jesus Christ, but what is the meaning of Christ?

Again, Christ is not Jesus’ last name. Christ is a title. Like King Jesus or Lord Jesus. Christ means Messiah. The Messiah was the one prophesied about in the Old Testament – the Messiah, the Anointed One. The promised Christ or Messiah is a Deliverer of His people. Christ is a savior. Not just any savior, but the Savior of His people.

There are many prophetic verses in the Old Testament about the promised Messiah. Isaiah 61:1-2 states: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.

Jesus Acknowledges That He Is The Messiah

Please listen to what Jesus says in Luke 4:16-21: And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Jesus acknowledges that He is the Messiah. That He is the Christ.

I Am He

When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, He told her that He is the promised Messiah. John 4:13-26 states: Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

Jesus Is The One

The woman tells Jesus that she knows the Messiah is coming, who is called Christ. Jesus tells her that He is the One! A different time Jesus asked His disciples who they thought he was and Peter answered: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus is the Christ. He is the Messiah. The Lord Jesus is the promised Savior. He came to proclaim liberty to the captives. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and He came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

Oh, are you one of His? Is Jesus your Christ? Is He your Savior? Have you repented of your sins and surrendered your life to the Lord? Is Jesus Lord of your life? There is no other Savior. Jesus is the only one, but what a mighty Savior He is. You will not be able to stand before God under your own power on Judgement Day. No one else can save you from God’s wrath, His anger over your sins except Christ Jesus.

No Fear

Those of us who have repented of our sins and truly believe in Jesus for our salvation, have nothing to fear on Judgment Day. Jesus the Christ is our advocate. Our names have been written in the Lambs book of life. We have nothing to fear. Perfect love casts out fear. This does not give us a license to sin. On the contrary, Jesus said if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1).

When you are truly saved, you are so grateful that God saved you from eternal damnation that you want to please God. We can’t wipe out our sins and we can’t earn God’s favor. But we are to be holy because God is Holy. Does this describe you tonight? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:20-21). For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

Repent And Be Baptized In The Name Of Jesus

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). I hope you are seeing here that Jesus is the Christ, He is the promised Savior and we’ve all sinned against God. That’s why we need a Savior. Several of these verses that I’ve quoted tonight point to Jesus being the Christ and our need for repentance.

Have you repented of your sins and put your trust in Jesus? Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Trust in Christ Jesus. Turn to Christ and live. Do so tonight. Don’t put this off another minute. Don’t continue rejecting such a great salvation. Repent and believe the Gospel. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ the Lord and be saved. Be saved from your sins. Be saved from eternal damnation. Be saved from the power of the devil.

Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul says: Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Is The Gospel Hid From You?

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:1-6).

If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, then Satan has blinded your mind to God’s truth. If God is shining His truth on your heart tonight, do not continue rebelling against God. Recognize that you have sinned against God. Cry out for God to save you. Repent and believe the Gospel. Surrender your life fully and completely to Jesus. He is the promised Messiah. Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world (John 4:42). Come to Jesus and be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

(This message was lifted up in downtown Springfield, MO on March 17, 2023)