Do we believe in Christ? What does "Christ," the Messiah or Anointed One, mean?
Before the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the Jews and others in the region longed for God to be a father to a generation. This hope, known as the “consolation of Israel,” was shared by many, including the wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus. Paul summarizes this hope with God's words: “I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me” (1 Corinthians 6:18).
The Old Testament contains several passages where God speaks of a future where His people will be called His sons and daughters (Isaiah 43:6, Hosea 1:10, Jeremiah 3:19). Just as God called Israel His “firstborn son” in Exodus 4:22, He looked forward to restoring His people. The hope was that a Christ, the Son of the Living God, would make this happen, creating a nation of sons and daughters.
Jesus came referring to himself consistently, constantly, as the Son and speaking of a Father as his own father and as THE Father, directing his hearers to believe and grasp this. In hearing him, believing in him as this Son, holding to his teachings as those from his Father, they could become sons and daughters of this Father. It is in belonging to Jesus that people become a people with God as their Father: God the God of Abraham, but the God of the Gentiles too. As Paul wrote, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" (Romans 4:3), and "Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one" (Romans 3:29-30).
Jesus taught that simply calling God “our God” is not enough. They must become true children of this Father for Him to be their God. Not lying. Not hating. Loving Jesus and loving his Father. If they loved this Father they would love His Son too. Then loving each other, being loved by this Son. It is all through Jesus, the Christ. (John 8 ).
