Mel Lawrenz is Minister at Large at Elmbrook Church and directs The Brook Network.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:11
Some people think that “Christ” is Jesus’ last name. Jesus Christ, like Joe Johnson or Audrey Smith. If you have thought that, don’t feel bad. It is just evidence that over the centuries our understanding of Jesus as the Christ has become so solid in our thinking that we don’t think of “Jesus” without “Christ.”
Jesus is his name, Christ his title. Among all the titles he bears, Son of God, Son of Man, Good Shepherd, Alpha and Omega, it all begins in the gospel story with this one incredible announcement: “He is Christ the Lord.” “Christos” in Greek, and thus, “Christ” in English; “Messiah” in Hebrew, which means “Anointed One.”
But what is the meaning of “Anointed One”?
In the Old Testament, three kinds of people were anointed: kings, priests, and prophets. So when we hear “Christ,” we should think of Jesus in each of those three roles. He is a king, ruling in people’s lives not just because they are in his realm but also because he is in their hearts. He is a priest, one who stands between God and humanity—one who sacrifices; one who intercedes, the mediator, the bridge. And he is Prophet too. Prophets had brought the words of God to the people, but the Messiah is the Word of God to the people.
In those days, when the heavy hand of Caesar Augustus dominated the Holy Land, people were looking for the Anointed One to come. They were hoping for a large army, not a multitude of the heavenly host. They anticipated a bigger and better David, not the obscure rabbi who always seemed like an outsider when he visited Jerusalem. They probably expected an orator, but did not expect the speeches of this Messiah to leave people speechless.
The very best things God does in our lives usually come as a surprise to us. So wouldn’t it be surprising if we, who think we know so much about Jesus, would be startled to see him in a whole new way. We picture him in a nativity set or as the subject of praise in hymns. We picture him in art, in stories. We experience him while reading the Bible, or while listening to a Sunday sermon. But we often fail to picture him as the living, breathing manifestation of God on earth. This, the angel said, was “good news of great joy.” What could be better than God existing in the midst of our lives?
Prayer for Today:
Christ, you are the King above all other kings, the high priest who has made the ultimate sacrifice, the prophet who has had the last word. Let me be astonished this Christmas by knowing more fully than ever before, that you really have come and have changed this world, and are here still.
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