Thought for the Week-The Greatest

Good Morning Girlfriends!

So, last week I received an email from one of my girls.  She had a very good question about the difference between Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus.  I've been doing some digging, asking some questions and praying the God would open my mind in such a way as to be able to explain my findings to you all.  Please bear with me as we travel down the winding path that is my mind.  Carolyn, this one is for you.  Thank you for keeping me on my toes.

In 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky a baby boy was born.  His mother named him Cassius Clay, but you know him best as Muhammad Ali.  He was also known as "The Greatest",  "The Champ" and "The Louisville Lip".  Ali changed the world of boxing.  He had a revolutionary style and a different work ethic.  He left his opponents stunned and shocked.  Although he was known by the other names, these were titles given to him to describe what he was.  What does this have to do with Jesus?  Well, many of you are thinking right now, that I've made a pretty big stretch with an Islamic figure and Jesus Christ.  And let me clarify: I am in NO WAY comparing the two.  I am simply bringing to your attention the title by which Cassius Clay was best known.  

Now, on to the real Champ, and the real Greatest.  One of my favorite things about the Bible is its ability to reveal something new and fresh every time you open its pages.  Biblical scholars can open their own Bibles (which they may have studies for decades) and find a brand new nugget hidden within the Words.  Why?  Because the Word of God is alive and active, and God shows us exactly what we need, when we need it.  For instance, when reading the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) you will notice that much of the time when  a reference is made to Jesus, Christ almost always follows.  "The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the son of God." Mark 1:1 (emphasis added)  "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17 (emphasis added)  "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John 17:3 (emphasis added)   Stay with me, Girls, this is going to get deep for a minute.  Remember that Jesus is true God and true Man.  In the Gospels, the writers wanted to draw our focus on the human side of Jesus.  They wanted to make sure that we didn't miss the fact the Jesus came down from Heaven to be cloaked in our own humanity and chose to walk among us.  Christ is not Jesus' name; it is His title.  Christ means Messiah, the Anointed One.  The word Christ focuses on the divine side of Jesus' nature...His God-power, for lack of a better word.  The Apostle Paul was excellent at drawing his focus to the divine nature of Jesus.  If you'll think back, Paul was not one of the original Twelve.  Jesus recruited, so to speak, Paul after His resurrection.  So, Paul's initial meeting with Jesus came after His miraculous defeat of the grave.  It seems only natural that Paul would zero in one the divine nature of Jesus, since that was his first contact with Him.  We read from the book of Romans, which Paul wrote, "for all have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23-24 (emphasis added)   "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." Romans 15:5 (emphasis added)  It is precisely that divine nature, that God power which is the only thing that can save us from our sins and cover us in the grace of God.  

So, when you hear Jesus Christ vs Christ Jesus, listen to the rest of the story, see if the person speaking is focusing more on the Person of Jesus or the Divine nature of the Christ.  No matter which way you flip it or turn it around; Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One of God.  What does Jesus have to do with Muhammad Ali?  Well, Jesus left His opponents stunned and shocked.  He revolutionized the world.  He changed the face of eternity.  He came to save us from our sins, something we could never do.  There is no greater name in Heaven, earth or under the earth than that of Jesus Christ.  Speak it boldly and confidently and know that He loves you very much.  He is the Greatest.  

"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 2:10-12

"All hail the power of Jesus' name!  

Let angels prostrate fall;

bring forth the royal diadem, 

and crown him Lord of all.  

Bring forth the royal diadem, 

and crown him Lord of all. "

-From All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

Comments

[Carolyn]

Hi Dallas - THANKS SO MUCH for this! I really appreciate it! Very well written and I fully understand now! Have a great day.