Weird Ideas: Jesus Christنموونە

Here’s a weird idea. A peasant man from Palestine executed 2000 years ago is the savior of the world and king of the universe. A pretty wild claim, if you think about it.

Pretty much everybody believes that Jesus was a real person. He’s more attested than any person in ancient history. But what people believe about him varies. Some say he was a prophet. Others, a wise moral teacher ahead of his time. Others, a failed revolutionary. Some others, a regular guy who got caught up in power politics beyond his control who was later elevated to mythic status. Not to mention a variety of other claims, like heretic, magician, miracle worker, guru, or avatar.

Christians see him differently. They believe he’s God’s Christ.

Christ is not a last name. It’s a title. It’s Greek, and you’ll find it throughout the New Testament as the most common title for Jesus. The Hebrew counterpart for “Christ” is “messiah.” Both mean the same thing: anointed. What’s that about? In the Old Testament, various things were anointed as a way of designating them for a special purpose for God. The tabernacle was anointed, and later the temple. Most of the apparatus inside of it too. Some people were also anointed. Occasionally prophets, but most notably Israel’s priests and kings. Especially kings. So in a very dynamic way, saying Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus is the same as Jesus the King or King Jesus.

Jesus is a peasant man from Palestine crucified 2000 years ago. But he’s something more. God invites us to see him as His risen messiah. His Christ. The one bringing God’s deliverance, ushering in his kingdom, and bringing about the promises God has made.

“I believe in Jesus Christ…” It’s quite a claim!