If you read the New Testament long enough, you will frequently see Jesus referred to as either “Jesus Christ” or “Christ Jesus”. What is important to realize is that “Christ” is not a name but rather a title. To say that Jesus is the “Christ” is the same as saying that Jesus is the “Messiah”. The two words are identical with the former being the Greek translation of the later. When we speak about, sing about, pray to or reference “Jesus Christ” we are making a bold and important claim about Jesus of Nazareth.

The claim that Jesus is the Messiah is the claim that Jesus was anointed by the Spirit to be the Prophet who speaks for God, the Priest who forgives the sin of God’s people and the King who rules God’s people. Each of these roles – Prophet, Priest and King – are essential to understanding the work of Jesus that Paul talks about in Romans 8. As Prophet, we understand that Jesus speaks definitively for God and reveals the love of God for His people. As Priest, we understand that Jesus takes away the sins of the people through His finished work on the cross. As King, we understand that Jesus now rules over His people and that all decisions about who is condemned or not are in His gracious and wise hands. 

In short, when Paul references Jesus as the Messiah – the Christ – he is reminding us that Jesus has the authority to declare “no condemnation” over our lives!

Final Thought: Pray this prayer: Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me!