THE GLORIOUS NAMES OF JESUS REPRINT OF AMOS R. WELLS 1926

THE GLORIOUS NAMES OF JESUS
REPRINT OF AMOS R. WELLS 1926

The Christ
Chapter 10

Something To Consider:
Christ is the Greek word meaning “The Anointed One.” The word “Messiah” means the same thing. They are the official names of Jesus. The Jewish people had the custom of pouring oil on the heads of those set apart to great offices and tasks, such as kings and high priests.

This anointing oil was of a special composition and was held as very sacred. The occasions when it was used were among the most impressive and important of Old Testament history. The Jewish nation had known many christs or anointed ones, but they had been taught by their prophets to look forward to one person preeminent among christs, so exalted, so powerful, and so gracious as to be called “The Christ.”

They had come to regard Him as their national deliverer from the bondage to the Romans and had almost forgotten the far greater work He was to do as their deliverer from sin. He was to be the crowned as the mighty Son of Man; but they neglected to think of Him as the Son of God.

When the angel announced to the shepherds the wonderful birth, he used the great word, and used it with its true significance. He who was born in Bethlehem that day was a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, or Anointed One. In heaven, if not on earth, the divine appointment was well understood.

On this vast and moving theme the first sermon of Jesus of Nazareth is the chief commentary we need. The Anointed One, Jesus, in Luke’s gospel chapter 4 and beginning in verse 18, read from Isaiah chapter 49, declaring; “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD”.

Then Jesus added the majestic words, which filled with amazement, indignation, and horror all in the room, except Mary His mother; “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”. The anointing had been made, the Savior had been chosen, the appointment had been accepted, at least by the Father in heaven. From that moment Calvary was settled!

Something Else To Consider:
To what was the appointment? For what was Jesus anointed? This also Isaiah revealed to the nation of Israel that solemn day and continues to do so in this present end time century. Jesus was made the Christ for five great and inclusive purposes, for enrichment, for deliverance, for vision, for justice, and for happiness. In other words, Jesus was anointed for the sake of the poor, the captives, the blind, the oppressed, and for the sad without hope!

Jesus read, “To preach the gospel [good news, good tidings] to the poor”, the poor in purse and the poor in spirit; for theirs is a kingdom, theirs are thrones and scepters, theirs are goods and glory. Jesus declared, “Release to the captives…“, captives of pride, captives of ignorance, captives of sin, all who are chained in body, mind, and soul; for they shall no more be held down, they are to be led wherever their free spirit leads them.

Jesus proclaimed, “And recovery of sight to the blind…”, that is, physically blind, mentally blind, and spiritually blind. Hygiene that prevents blindness, the surgeon’s knife that lets in the blessed light, schools and libraires, and the free press, and the great light of God’s truth that shone upon Saul as he approached Damascus are all helpful. But Jesus, the Christ, has come to truly and miraculously allow the recovery of sight to those who are blind to the gospel.

Jesus also acknowledged, “To set at liberty those who are oppressed…”, that is, liberty to the oppressed in mind, body, or estate. The establishment of justice in the earth came through Jesus, the Christ. Therefore, He has dealt with slavery, cruel and wrongful imprisonments. Torture has been considered wrongful, as well as barbarism for men, women, and children. Fair laws are to be fairly administered. Peace and justice should rule over the earth.

Now, we know that these things do not always prevail in the earth when evil and corrupt men and women rule. And that is exactly the state of which we find ourselves in these times and seasons in which we live. But when Jesus returns to establish His millennial kingdom, we shall see with our own eyes the oppressed set free by the liberty only truly found in and through Christ Jesus.

Something More To Consider:
And for all men, women, and young people as mentioned above, Jesus added, “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD”, that is, the establishment of the kingdom of heaven on earth. All fears will be banished. All hopes will be realized. All doubts will be removed. There will be no more pain or sorrow. There will be no more sighing and or tears. There will be all confidence, happiness, and the joy of the Lord all over the earth once He, Jesus, the Christ is reigning supreme.

It was for this that Jesus was anointed, and for every bit of this. This is what was in the mind of the Father in sending Jesus to us, and it was for every man, woman, and young person who would be willing to respond to the call of Christ to come and follow Him.

In planning these goals and earthly purposes, Jesus has Judas in mind as well as Peter, and He foresaw distinctly you and me. Each one of us was a part of God’s overall plan when He designated His Son for this mission, and not the least portion of all this joy was omitted from the Father’s divine program for each one of us. When we speak of the Christ we speak of God’s definite allotment of bliss to each man, woman, and young person on earth in every generation.

A Few Final Words:
Therefore, blessed is the man, woman, and young person who realizes that he or she was thus in the thought of God and has this glorious share in Jesus Christ. Jesus was anointed to die for each of us. Yes, and He was also anointed to speak for His Father, the wonderful words of life, to establish communion for Him, to build His church for Him, to send the Holy Spirit for Him, and to spread abroad the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus is God the Father’s designated, appointed, and anointed Messenger of the true gospel to every man, woman, and young person. He is the Commissioner over every life. Because Jesus is God’s Christ and the world’s Christ, He is the Christ or Messiah of you and me.

Let’s Pray:
Our Father in heaven, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to be our Christ, Messiah, and our mediator between a holy God and humankind. Teach us to be found worthy to escape all that is to come upon planet earth prior to Your establishing Jesus as King over all the earth in the future. Teach us to greatly appreciate the many glorious names of Jesus Christ. In Him Always, Amen!