Why is Jesus called Christ?

Christ is not Jesus’ last name.  Christ is a title which comes from the Greek word for “anointed one.”  To call Jesus the “Anointed One” is to also call him the “Messiah.”  “Messiah” is the Hebrew word for “Christ.” 

To understand what this title means we need to know who was anointed in Jewish culture. 

The high priests were anointed.  Exodus 40:13 - “Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest.” 

Prophets were anointed.  1 Kings 19:16 - “Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.”

Kings were anointed. 2 Kings 9:3 - “Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, 'This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door and run; don't delay!"

The title, Christ, shows Jesus’ three-fold office.

Jesus being the Christ shows that he fulfilled all three of the anointed offices.  Christ’s main office is that of savior (read “How are we to escape death?”).  Christ’s saving work comes through being the “Anointed One” who serves as our prophet, priest, and king! 

Christ’s Prophetic Office

A prophet brings the word of God to human beings as God’s representatives.  Prophet’s thus speak the word of God. 

Jesus in a prayer to the Father said, “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.  Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.  For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me” (John 17:6-8). 

Hebrews 1:1-3 - “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Christ prophetic office continues today through God’s revealed word, the Bible, and through God’s word proclaimed by his people. 

Christ’s Priestly Office

A priest is someone who represents God to humanity and humanity to God, thus a priest serves as a mediator. 

Hebrews 1:1-10 “Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father." And he says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”

Priests only came from the line of Levi, yet Jesus was from the line of Judah.  As the above passage explains, Jesus was a priest, not of the Levitical order, but of the order of Melchizedek.  Melchizedek appears in Genesis 14:17-20, “After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”  It is from this priestly line that Jesus is a priest and this is spoken of before the New Testament.  That the Messiah would come from the Melchizedek order can be found in Psalm 110. 

Christ’s Royal Office

Christ reigns as king forever!  King David was told “When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.  He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-13).  Jesus is the “offspring” which was prophesied to rule forever. 

Revelation 17:14 calls Christ the King of Kings!  “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” (Revelation 17:14). 

Christ’s rule as king is divided into his rule in three different kingdoms. 

1.   The Kingdom of Power – This is God’s rule over everything!  (Matthew 28:18 and Ephesians 1:22)

2.   The Kingdom of Grace – Only Christians are members of this kingdom.  Ephesians 2:19 says, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household.” 

3.   The Kingdom of Glory – Revelation Chapter 4 and 21 are glimpses of this kingdom.  John 14-14 tells us that Jesus is preparing a place for us in this kingdom and that he is coming back to usher in his kingdom.  Although this kingdom won’t be fully realized until Christ’s return, it’s now!  We can enact the ways of this kingdom in this life now and we can have a foretaste of the kingdom to come in this life, just as the Israelites ate of the manna in the wilderness.