WHO IS JESUS CHRIST
AND WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT HIM OR HIS CHURCH?

Names were very important in ancient times, particularly in the Hebrew culture. If we examine the names attributed to Jesus Christ we will uncover a great deal about who this man Jesus Christ was.

Jesus
'Jesus' is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Jehoshua, (Joshua in English). Jehoshua simply means "to save". Jesus' name identifys him as a savior. In the familiar birth narrative we often hear during the Christmas season, angels appear to shepherds and announce -

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11 ESV)

What is a savior? A savior is someone who works to save or rescue another. So who is Jesus saving? To answer that question, we will look to see who the people of Jesus day thought he was saving. The book of John tells us about a trip Jesus made through the region of Samaria. He spent two days in Samaria preaching and teaching, and we can eavesdrop on a conversation between the woman who first met Jesus and the townspeople.

"'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.'" (John 4:42 ESV)

By listening to Jesus speak they knew him to be one who would come to save. But from what? Again, we go to another birth account, and again, another angel. This time the angel is in a vision speaking to Joseph, Jesus' soon to be father.

"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21 ESV)

Jesus has come to save people from sin. Sin is not a maladjustment. Sin is human act of rebellion -- the created being rejecting a holy Creator. Sin is so tragic, and it's effect so powerful, a savior from God had to be sent to deal with it's consequences.

Christ
'Christ' is the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament term for 'anointed one', also known as the 'messiah.' To be anointed is to be 'set apart' for some specific function or position of authority, including that of a king. In fact, this designation was what the Pharisees and Sadducees hoped to exploit to the Roman government in order to get Jesus executed.

Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king." (Luke 23:2)

In short, Jesus Christ is the anointed Savior, one set apart by God to rescue mankind for their sins.

Lord
Although this term is often used in polite address, applied to Jesus it indicated that he held a position of authority.

…so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10, 11 ESV)

'Lord' points to the reality that Jesus holds a place of supreme authority over the entire Universe. Though many scoff at him now, one day all the nations and peoples of the world, dead and alive, will understand that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

What does this tell us of mankind?
First, humans are creations of God, subject to the supreme Lordship of Jesus, who is God. This means the primary relationship you have is not one of parent - child, or husband - wife; it is creature - Creator. The relationship between God and man is the supreme, defining relationship in all of life.

Second, because we need a savior, we are all sinners. No one is excluded.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

None is righteous, no, not one; (Romans 3:10)

Further, we are completely incapable of saving ourselves from our sins by our own efforts. We cannot be our own saviors -- not even through good, or even highly meritorious works. There is no way to pay for our sins, or earn merit and favor with God by our own effort.

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight,.. (Romans 3:20)

This sin thing
The concept of sin tends to be the most difficult part of coming to Christ and embracing him as Savior and Lord. We hate the thought that we are sinners. To our fallen minds, sin seems to be a concept that is so backwards and archaic. However, if you don't believe you are a sinner, then you have no need of a savior, and no need of Jesus Christ. You're on your own, and someday you will stand before the judgment seat of God without an advocate.

Our difficulty lies in thinking of sin on a horizontal level, which is nothing more than morality. Most people think love is the greatest ideal in humanity, after all, Jesus did say we must love our neighbors as ourselves, right? Yes he did. But the greatest ideal, the greatest commandment is that we love God above all else. The vertical relationship of creature - Creator is the most important of all. This is also where our greatest sin lies.

Be appalled, O heavens, at this; Be shocked, and utterly desolate, declares the Lord. For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, And hewed out cisterns for themselves, Broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:12, 13 ESV)

In God's eyes it is appalling that mankind has done two great evils:

First, they have turned away from God, the fountain of living, fresh, overflowing, satisfying water. They have walked away from God.

Second, they have turned to cisterns that they have made with their own hands, and made very poorly because they are broken. A cistern is merely a holding tank carved of stone. There is no source of water. At best, it holds stuff and stagnates, and empties, leaving it dry.

Mankind has turned from God and turned to his own devices - two evils. And this places man against God; in opposition to God. We are spiritual rebels. And the penalty of our sin is death, just as the penalty for treason or rebellion would be in most governing authorities.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 ESV)

The Anointed, Messianic Savior at work
Being God and being man, Jesus alone could pay our judgment so that we don't have to pay it. He pays it fully and completely, apart from any effort on our part. He is our Savior, and that is why he voluntarily died on the cross.

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53: 5, 6 ESV)

Jesus was a living sacrifice, one to whom God could legally transfer our sins to and bear out the just penalty. Jesus paid the price for our sins. When we turn to Christ, recognizing our sin before a holy God, and our need of reconciling ourselves to God, by faith we turn to the work of Jesus Christ that he promises to us.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

We are now completely free, having fully satisfied the law of sin and death by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And now we have true peace with God.

Why church?
Church is a english form of the Greek word 'ecclesia', which simply means 'gathering.' A church is a gathering of God's people. We gather to worship God, study his Scriptures, encourage each other and meet each others needs.

If Jesus takes the place of authority in your life, as he should, being in his church -- the gathering of his people -- will be an important part of your life.