Catechism Lesson 2: Who is Jesus Christ?
The second Person of the Holy Trinity became a man – He was named Jesus (Matthew 1:21). We know Him as Jesus Christ. The word “Christ” comes from the Greek word “christos” which means “the anointed one.” The Hebrew word for “the anointed one” is “mashiach”, from which comes the word “messiah”. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah, or the Anointed One foretold by Isaiah 61:1; therefore, the title of Christ is added to the name of Jesus. There are many ways in which the title of Christ has been used with the name Jesus: Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, or Jesus the Christ.
St. John the Apostle and Evangelist tells us that even before Jesus was born as a human being, He already existed: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) The Word referred to in this Gospel verse is none other than Jesus Christ. From all eternity, Jesus has already been with God the Father; in other words, Jesus is co-eternal with God the Father.
One very important thing to know about Jesus Christ is that He is one Person, but He has two natures: a divine nature and a human nature. In other words, Jesus is both God and man in one Person. Jesus is not half God (50% God) and half man (50% man). Rather, Jesus is fully God (100%) and at the same time, He is fully man (100%). In His divine nature, Jesus has all the attributes of God; in His human nature, Jesus is like us in every respect – human body, heart, mind, and will – except for sin (Hebrews 4:15).
Why was Jesus born as a human being? Jesus was born as a human being in order to bring salvation to the world. St. John the Apostle and Evangelist tells us that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Jesus had to become like us in every way, so that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people; He himself was tested through what He suffered, therefore He is able to help those who are being tested. (Hebrews 2:17-18)
Prayer: Anima Christi (Spirit of Christ)
Spirit of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from Christ’s side, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. From the malicious enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me. And bid me come unto Thee. That I may praise Thee with Thy saints and with Thy angels forever and ever. Amen.
Questions:
- Find the other names which refer to Jesus Christ in the Bible.
- Matthew 1:23 calls Jesus __________
- Isaiah 9:5 calls Jesus: __________ , __________ , __________ , __________
- Matthew 9:27 calls Jesus __________
- Mark 10:45 calls Jesus __________
- Matthew 16:16 calls Jesus __________
- What is the name of the mother of Jesus?
- True or False: Is Jesus 75% God and 25% man?
- True or False: Jesus was born so that He can make everyone rich.
- True or False: Jesus is the third Person of the Holy Trinity.