Reflections – 2024.06

The Apostles Creed (I Believe in Jesus Christ)

Jesus said to them, ‘Who do you say that I am?’

Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’
–        Matthew 16:15-16

Last month I wrote that what or who you believe in is very important because you will likely act on that belief.  Christians believe in Jesus and look to Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel.   Christians, because they believe in Jesus, strive to follow Him and live according to His teachings, to obey His commandments.

But there’s more.  Jesus is called Christ.  This word means “anointed one.”  Now we don’t use the word “anointed” much anymore.   Our bosses do not refer to themselves as “anointed ones,” nor do our teachers or politicians or really anyone in authority over us.  We would think it quite strange if they did.  But it is still an important word.  In the Bible, to be “anointed” meant to be set apart for the LORD’s service.  So prophets were anointed, priests were anointed, and kings were anointed.

The Heidelberg Catechism discusses why Jesus is called Christ, mentioning these three “anointed” offices, and declaring that Jesus is:

1)    Our chief prophet and teacher who perfectly reveals to us the secret counsel and will of our God for our deliverance; and

2)    Our only high priest who has set us free by the one sacrifice of his body, and who continually pleads our cause with the Father; and

3)    Our eternal King, who governs by His Word and Spirit, and who guards us and keeps us in the freedom he won for us.

Prophet, priest, and king.  Every Sunday, when we say the Apostles Creed and acknowledge that we believe in Jesus Christ, we are saying we believe that He is our perfect prophet, our great high priest, and our eternal king …. He truly is the “Anointed One”, the Christ.  There is a lot packed into that word “Christ.”

I suppose that means there is a lot packed into that word “Christian” as a result.  If we believe in Him, we will strive to be like Him.  We will be “prophets” in that we will declare the name of Jesus and we will share the Gospel with others.  We will be “priests” in that we will pray for one another and offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God.  We will be “kings”, for the Bible promises we will reign with Christ for all eternity.

It is hard to consider yourself a prophet, priest and king.   But in Christ, we are given these tasks (and so much more) as gifts of His grace.  Christians truly are the most blessed of all people.  So believe in Jesus Christ and rejoice.