The Incomparable Christ

His Supreme Person
The Lord Jesus Christ is not presented as a simple person in the Scriptures, instead He is announced as the Supreme Person (Col. 2:9 and Rom. 9:5). The Scriptures provide many names for Him, but if we were to consider three names commonly attributed to Him (“Jesus”, “Christ”, and “Lord”) we will gain great insight. Jesus. The name “Jesus” literally means, “Jehovah will save.” In Matthew 1:21 the angel announced to Joseph concerning Mary: “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” This name actually describes what He will be doing. This name is a fitting designation for the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is only one saving and sure means of salvation, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter declared with great boldness, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Saviour that can truly save people from their sin and the just judgement of God – He is Jesus.

Secondly, He is the Christ. The term “Christ” is the Greek version (Christos) of the Hebrew word for Messiah. In the New Testament it is used of Jesus as both a title and a name. This word literally means, the “anointed one.” In the Old Testament, kings, priests and prophets (1 Kings 19:16; Psalm 105:15; Isaiah 61:1) were anointed. This anointing with oil symbolically represented the imparting of the Holy Spirit to the individual. The Lord Jesus is called “Christ” for He is the “Anointed One” from God. As the Messiah, He possesses the three-fold office: prophet, priest and king. As Prophet, He brings God’s truth to His people in a complete way that no other prophet could do. The invisible God became visible through Jesus Christ. As Priest, He brings His people to God in a complete way, for He was the perfect sacrifice that bore the wrath of God and brought forgiveness of sin. As King, He rules over His people, and will one day return and reign on earth and for all eternity will be King of kings. He is Christ.

Thirdly, He is Lord. This term in its most basic sense indicates respect and honour. However, this is not the meaning employed in the NT epistles. “Lord” as a title reveals His exalted authority as the great sovereign ruler and master (Phil. 2:9-11). This title is a great summary of who He is. Jesus Christ is Lord, and for this reason, He is to be worshipped and adored. He is Lord.

His Supreme Position
The second reason why He is incomparable is because of His Supreme Position. When it comes to creation we learn that He is the Father’s agent in creation (John 1:3; Col. 1:15), He is eternal and therefore was before all creation (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17), and He is the sustainer of creation (Col. 1:17). Concerning His position in the church, He is supreme over it because of His Designations (Col. 1:18), His Deity (Col. 1:19) and His Death (Col. 1:20). Jesus Christ holds the Highest and most exalted position over all – He is supreme in His position.

His Supreme Provisions
Because the Saviour is supreme, He is sufficient for all His peoples needs. What a thought! God’s people can benefit from the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. It is the clear teaching of the Scriptures that the Christian has all the spiritual resources necessary for life and godliness. The apostle Paul said to the Corinthians, “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). Here we are told that by God’s initiative and grace the believer is placed in Christ, and in Him we have “wisdom”, “righteousness”, “sanctification” and “redemption.” It’s no wonder then that he said on another occasion, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3; cf. Col. 2:10). Think about the implication here, if the believer has received every spiritual blessing and has been made complete in Christ, it is clear that we can conclude that we as Christians already posses every spiritual resource in-order to be godly (cf. 2 Pet. 1:3). Why would we turn to anyone else for the sufficiency to live the Christian life?

John Owen makes the point that because of who Christ is, fixing our minds on Him is “the best, the most noble and beneficial truth that we can think about or set our hearts on.” He is unequaled in His Person, Position and Provisions. The Lord Jesus Christ is truly incomparable!