JESUS

WHO IS JESUS?

“Who do people say that I am?”… “And YOU, who do you say that I AM?” (Mark: 8:27, 29)

It is a critical, controversial, and influential question.  Many people and institutions throughout the history tried to answer this question.  There were and are (still) many different answers.

What was the answer of the Apostles when Jesus asked this question on them?... “Some said you are John the Baptist, others, Elijah, still others, one of the prophets.” And Peter said to Him in reply, “You are the Messiah!”

If Jesus will ask this question to you, what will be your answer?

The Meaning of JESUS, CHRIST, LORD.  (Read Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 430-455)

JESUS

JESUS in Hebrew means “GOD SAVES”. At the annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave him the name Jesus as his proper name, which expresses both His identity and His mission. 

The mission of Jesus is to save us (men and women) from our sins and to give us eternal life. The name "Jesus" signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son, made man for the universal and definitive redemption from sins. It is the divine name that alone brings salvation, and henceforth all can invoke his name. “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12; cf. 9:14; Jas 2:7}.” 

Jesus’ Resurrection glorifies the name of the Savior God, for from that time on it is the name of Jesus that fully manifests the supreme power of the “name which is above every name (Phil 2:9-10; cf. Jn 12:28).” The evil spirits fear his name; in his name his disciples perform miracles, for the Father grants all they ask in this name. 

                                                CHRIST

CHRIST (in Greek) or MESSIAH (in Hebrew) means “ANOINTED”.

The concept of “messiah” originated with the Jewish kings, a figure who would save Israel and restore its former reputation. Peter was right and wrong when he responded that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah. Right, because indeed Jesus is the Messiah, the “Anointed One.” He was wrong because for him, Jesus is a political liberator, the One who will save them from political slavery (from Romans). But Jesus is a Spiritual Messiah who freed us from slavery of sin and death, and to give us resurrection and eternal life.

                                                    

                                                    LORD

To say that JESUS CHRIST IS THE LORD means to profess that HE IS GOD.