The meaning of “Jesus” being “Christ” and “Lord”
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him” (Colossians 2:6).
The name “Jesus” means ‘Savior’ or ‘Jehovah saves.’ When I think of the name “Jesus,” I am reminded of Matthew 1:21: “And she will give birth to a Son, and you are to call his name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Therefore, saying that we have come to believe in Jesus means that we believe that Jesus is the Savior. In other words, we believe that Jesus is God who saves us. We believe in Jesus. We believe that Jesus is God who saves us from our sins. We believe in the truth that Jesus received redemption, the forgiveness of sins by shedding his precious blood on the cross (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). In other words, we who believe in Jesus have assurance of forgiveness of sins (Reference: 1 John 1:9). Therefore, living in Jesus means that when we come to believe in Jesus, we not only believe that we have been forgiven of our sins through the blood of Jesus, but even now, whenever we sin, we believe that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous.” Not only do we believe that “He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9), but when Jesus returns to this earth (the Second Coming), we will not only have no sin, but we will also know sin. It means living by faith that we will be clothed with a strong and glorious body (1 Corinthians 15:43).
What does the title “Christ” mean? When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). What does it mean? “Christ” is a Greek word meaning “anointed one” (Hebrew “Messiah”). Who is anointed? They are the king, the prophet, and the priest. Therefore, the meaning of Jesus being “the Christ” is that Jesus is “the King of kings” (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14) and “the Prophet” (Deuteronomy 18:14) and “the High Priest” (Hebrews 3:1).
The King of kings
The Prophet The High Priest
Therefore, living in Christ means that we live the life of a worshiper who holds Jesus as the King of kings in our hearts, listens to the words of the Prophet, and worships God the Father with the help of the mediator role of the High Priest.
What does the title “Lord” mean? Jesus referred to himself as “Lord” (Matthew 4:7). When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter also referred to Jesus as “Lord.” What does it mean here to acknowledge Jesus as “Lord” (Romans 10:9)? I was reminded of “Lordship” by my seminary professor, Professor John Frame:
Control
Authority Presence
When we acknowledge Jesus as Lord, it means that Jesus controls us, that Jesus is our authority, and that Jesus comes to us. Therefore, what it means to live in the Lord is that when we live under the control of the Lord (under the control/governance of the Lord) and obey the authoritative words of the Lord, we experience the presence of God. And when we confess our faith that Jesus is the Christ and the Lord, we confess that Jesus is God who controls us as the King of kings, speaks authoritative words to us as the prophet, and comes to us as the high priest.
The King of kings
(Control)
The Prophet The High Priest
(Authority) (Presence)
The saying that Jesus is the Christ and the Lord means that Jesus, who saves us from our sins, controls us as the King of kings, speaks authoritative words to us as the Prophet, and comes to us as the High Priest. Jesus rules and governs over us. Jesus gave us a twofold commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). Jesus will always be with us until the end of the world (28:20; Ref.: John 15:5).