Throughout the New Testament we see the clear proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. Matthew begins his gospel account with the genealogy of Jesus, and at the end of that genealogy he wrote: "And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ" (Matt. 1:16). On the day of Pentecost after Jesus had ascended into heaven Peter with the other apostles made this conclusion: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).

The designation Christos or Christ means "annointed," translated in the Septuagint by the word "Messiah." (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, pg. 101). The distinct title of Christ for Jesus the Son of God is used over 500 times in the New Testament. We are left with little doubt that Jesus is the Messiah or Anointed One of Scriptures.

During one of the trials before Jesus died on the cross, the high priest asked Him whether He was "the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus answered: "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven" (Mk. 14:61,62). Jesus knew and acknowledged that He was the Anointed Savior that Israel had been promised.

The Lord's Supper is the remembrance of Old Testament Scriptures that spoke of the suffering Messiah. We see the "Lamb silent before its shearer" (Isa. 53:7,8) and the One Who is "a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people" (Psa. 22:6), as we partake of the body and blood of Christ. Jesus fulfilled all that was spoken of the Messiah in the Old Testament (Lk. 24:44-49). Deliverance from sin and death comes through the Jesus, the Messiah, Who gave His life for all people!

By Ron Drumm.