Jesus, the Christ

  Perhaps you didn’t know, but the name Jesus was common in Bible times.  In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament it was pronounced Yehoshua (Ye-HO-shoo-ah), which in time was shortened to Yeshua (Yeh-SHOO-ah), which we pronounce in English, Joshua.  It means, “the Lord is salvation.”

  In the New Testament Greek, the name is pronounced Iesous (ee-ay-SOOS), which we pronounce in English, Jesus.  There are several Bible characters who bear the name “Jesus,” but none so important as Jesus, the Christ.

  “Christ” is the NT equivalent of the OT title, Messiah.  It means “anointed one,” and in this case, “God’s Anointed One.”  He was God’s Son (God in the flesh), sent from Heaven on a mission to rescue His creation from sin, and eternal separation from God, who is holy and cannot tolerate sin.  God is just and cannot overlook sin.  Paul summarizes Christ’s mission:  “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1Corinthians 15:3-4)”

  As for why Jesus, the Christ, came to die: Death was the price of your forgiveness. “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23)”  Jesus came to receive your wages!  And now, as Christ rose from the dead, so you will be raised in the end, and your life will continue forever—but where?  Very simply, “He that hath the Son (Jesus) hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1John 5:12)”  “But as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)”

  So, those who accept Christ’s forgiveness will be raised to live forever in God’s presence, “For God so loved the world (you), that he gave his only begotten Son (Jesus), that whosoever believeth in him (you) should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)”  But Beware! Those who reject Christ will be cast out of God’s presence forever, and “have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8).”