 Recently, I have been leading some classes on The Christ. In the New Testament, the Greek word ‘Christus’ is used meaning ‘anointed’. In the Hebrew scriptures the term ‘Messiah’ is used which also means anointed so, they both mean the same thing. The Jews, at the time of Jesus, had various expectations of what their ‘anointed’ one would be, ranging from a warrior king (like David) to a supernatural cosmic judge to a priestly ruler who would interpret the Law (of Moses) for them. They didn’t anticipate someone who would suffer and die for his people.
Of course, in the New Testament (NT), this is what they got: Jesus of Nazareth as the anointed son of God. Thus, in the NT, the word ‘Christ’ tends to refer to a title, commonly synonymous with Jesus. The common theme is that the terms both describe someone who would come and save the people hence, why Christianity tends to worship Jesus. Unity’s perspective is somewhat different. In Unity, we use the term the Christ to refer to ‘the incarnating principle’ or the Presence that is within each of us, with Jesus as the historical figure who best demonstrated His oneness with that Presence. Hence why we refer to Him as our ‘way-shower’ – the person that we can each aspire to be like and find the oneness within ourselves. We use the term ‘Jesus Christ’ to refer to the individual who understood his Divine Potential. The Truth is that we each have the ‘Jesus Christ’ presence within, when we each demonstrate our own Divine Potential. So, for me Jesus Christ is my elder brother, teacher and way-shower that shows me that I, too, have the ability to manifest my own Christ Potential – even if I have trouble remembering that!! This week I invite you to reflect on your Christ Potential and remember the lessons that our way shower taught us: love one another and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That way we can each demonstrate the Truth of who we are. Rev Paul Mapletoft Unity Minister
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