MONDAY, JULY 1, 2024
THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRIST – Pastor Chris
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…” (John 20:30-31).
What we just read points out something absolutely remarkable; it says the specific miracles of Jesus that are recorded in the Bible have a singular purpose: to engender belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. What exactly does the expression “Jesus is the Christ” mean?
The word “Christ” was translated from the Greek language into English, and it doesn’t properly capture what the Jews understood as “The Messiah.” This is understandable, because the Greeks didn’t have the message of the Kingdom. So, the Jews knew that the word Christ meant far more than the Anointed One; it actually means God in the flesh.
This claim, which many take so lightly, was what they killed Jesus for. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, meaning that He was God’s manifestation in the flesh. And He was right. That’s the meaning of Christ. In Mark 14:60-64, during Jesus’ trial before the high priest Caiaphas, many false witnesses came forward with accusations against Him, but their testimonies didn’t align.
Finally, the high priest asked Jesus directly, “…Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” (Mark 14:61). Jesus responded, “…I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). The Chief Priest became furious, tore his clothes, and accused Jesus of blasphemy.
Consequently, Jesus was condemned to death. They accused Him of robbery; that is, robbing God of His place. They said, “…For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God” (John 10:33). But the Bible says, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God” (Philippians 2:6), because He is Himself God.
John 1:14 NKJV says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” 1 Timothy 3:16 says, “…God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” That’s Jesus, the Christ. Hallelujah!
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PRAYERDear Lord Jesus, you are the Christ; God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory, and also soon to be revealed at your glorious return to earth. Your Name is exalted in my life and proclaimed in all the nations as the only true God. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Luke 9:18-20
And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? 19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some [say], Elias; and others [say], that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
Matthew 16:13-16
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Acts 17:1-3
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 15:22-35 & Esther 5-7
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: 2 Corinthians 11:10-33 & Isaiah 20
