December 23, 2004

THE LORD'S CHRIST

"It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ" (Luke 2:26, NIV).

This unique title, the "Lord's Christ," is found only once in the Bible. It is used for the first and only time by the devout Simeon. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Simeon was confident that he would not die before the arrival of the Messiah.

While performing his priestly functions, Simeon was impressed by the Holy Spirit that the baby boy he was about to present to the Lord is none other than the promised Messiah for whom he had longed and prayed. Elated by this sudden discovery, the devout priest picked up the baby Jesus in his arms, raised Him toward heaven, and magnified the name of the Lord (see Luke 2:29-32).

It was in this remarkable setting that the title, "The Lord's Christ," was uttered. The title is said to be a pre-Christian Jewish title for the Messiah. Simeon's usage of it was a public acknowledgment that he had recognized the baby Jesus to be indeed the Messiah.

The title, "The Lord's Christ," suggest endearment and intimacy. To Simeon, Jesus was the Lord's anointed in a special and intimate sense. Long before Christ's public anointing in the river Jordan, He was the Lord's anointed. He was first anointed with the Holy Spirit from the womb (see John 1:32-41). The Lord's Christ is God's beloved Son who was always in the bosom of the Father (see John 1:18). The Lord's Christ is our precious Redeemer, Intercessor, and soon coming King. Of Him Ellen White comments: "The Lord Jesus Christ, the Anointed One of God, is seeking to assimilate our characters to his own... He is the Anointed Priest that ever liveth to make intercession for every individual soul."--Signs of the Times, November 7, 1895.

My Prayer Today: Lord, may the presence of the Lord's Christ gladden my heart and deepen my faith as it did for Simeon of old. Amen.