Names of Jesus - He is the Christ

Christ is the English version of the Greek term, Khristós, which means "the anointed one."  It is a translation of the Hebrew word which is translated, "Messiah."   This is why you will often see Christ and Messiah used interchangeably.  They mean the same thing.

The gospel writers use both the Hebrew and Greek terms.  John used "Christ" twice in the very first chapter:  "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ"  (verse 17) and  "The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ)" (verse 41).

Luke also uses Christ in one of the most famous verses in scripture:  "'He [Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?'  Peter answered and said, 'The Christ of God.'”  I love the Message version of this same story found in Matthew 16:16:  "Simon Peter said, 'You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'"  

Why do all these verses matter?  Because (according to wikipedia.com, and they're never wrong!) at the time of Jesus, "there was no single, coherent form or order within Judaism, and significant political, social and religious differences existed among the Jews^.  However, for centuries the Jews had used the term 'the Anointed' to refer to their expected deliverer."

In other words, what was the one thing that united the Jews?  The coming of the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah.  While we know that most did not accept Him once He came, there seems to be a certain message of hope in a nation of people waiting for the promised deliverer.

Let's really think about the term "anointed."  According to the Law, priests, kings and prophets were supposed to be anointed for their respective offices.  Now, the Christ has combined these three "offices" into one person.  He is our priest.  He is our King.  He is our prophet.  (We will also be studying each of these names through the month.  

To believe that Jesus is the Christ is to believe that he is the Anointed One, the Messiah of the prophets, the Savior sent of God, that he was what he claimed to be.  To believe that Jesus is the Christ is to believe that He is the testimony of God.  This belief is the faith that constitutes a Christian.  (taken from christiananswers.net)

Who is Christ?  He is the promised Messiah.  The Anointed One.  The Savior of all mankind.

Your Messiah.  My savior.  Our promise.