The Christ is the anointed one.
God gives Jesus godlike status in relation to other humans.
God anoints Jesus with a joy that his companions do not have in quite the same way.
This is called an anointing of joy.
This anointing is not about Jesus' status in relation to his humanity.
A human can be above others when God gives them something that sets them apart.
This can make them "a god" to others, but it does not make them less human.
The eminence given to Jesus by the Father does not replace or reduce his humanity.
Jesus’ anointing is a divine veneer on top of his humanity—a veneer of all-surpassing joy.
This God-given eminence does not make Jesus more of a god than a human.
It simply makes him more of a god than his companions.
This eminence is relative, not absolute, because others can receive it too.
Jesus promises that those who overcome will sit with him on his throne.
All can be made like gods if they overcome.
Jesus remains eminent above all of us but not above the Father.
The Father confers eminence on Jesus, but the Father Himself is God by nature.
That is why Jesus calls the Father the one true God.
The Son was originally God by nature as the Word.
He gave up this intrinsic divine status.
Instead, he received a God-given anointing as the Christ.
In contrast, the Father remains God by nature.
We too can receive an anointing like Christ did, from the Father.
Jesus made this possible by dying on the cross for us.
The Father confirmed it by raising Jesus from the dead.
The resurrection comes with a promise for true disciples.
Those who follow Jesus will also receive resurrection.
Jesus is anointed above his companions with the greatest joy.
Yet his companions can also partake in this joy.
God the Father anoints them too.
If we believe, goodness and mercy will follow us all our days.
For the sake of Jesus’ name, we receive God’s blessings.
God anoints our heads with oil—the oil of joy.
The anointing of joy is greatest in Jesus who is above us all in this.
