Westminster Larger Catechism # 41 - 42
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q41. Why was our Mediator called Jesus?
Answer: Our Mediator was called Jesus, because he saveth his people from their sins.
References: Mt. 1:21
Q42. Why was our Mediator called Christ?
Answer: Our Mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost
above measure, and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability, to
execute the offices of prophet, priest, and king of his church, in the estate both of his
humiliation and exaltation.
References: John 3:34; Ps. 45:7; John 6:27; Mt. 28:18-20; Acts 3:21-22; Luke 4:18,21;
Heb. 5:5-7; Heb. 4:14-15; Ps. 2:6; Mt. 21:5; Isa. 9:6-7; Phil. 2:8-11
I suppose we could engage in a word study and follow this name through its several
languages and changes, but I don’t think that is needed. The Divines spent little
time here and offer only one proof text which is sufficient. My answer would probably not
have been as "biblical" (see reference) for I would say God said it would be
Jesus, and that ends the discussion. It is far more significant in my opinion that He was
called Christ, the Messiah the Jewish nation had been waiting on since the beginning. I
would note in passing I once more find myself in some disagreement with the choice of
tense used by the Divines and would prefer the "called" have been rendered
"why is."
The proof texts provide ample support for all the claims the Divines set before us in
this statement. I think they missed it with the office of king being limited to the church
however. Christ the eternal Son of God is the King of all, whether they are part of the
body of Christ (the church) or not. While it is true He is king over the church, I think
they lend room for debate of His kingship authority over the whole in this presentation.
The Scriptures declare "all" power in heaven and earth. . .." not just over
the church, belong to Christ. Nowhere, even in His humiliation, do we see God lay aside
this authority, the kingship that rightly belong to the Eternal Son, and since Bethlehem
applied to Christ as the God-man. I think this distinction of the Messiah as man is
important as will be explained below.
Most have no problem understanding that in His exaltation Christ has this authority or
power, nonetheless they are want to divide the God-man while He was in the flesh. Not so,
from all of eternity, Jesus Christ was, is, and shall be the Son of God. Christ was very
aware of His ability to get up and walk out of that tomb. He stated "I lay down my
life, and I will take up my life. . .." This perhaps more than any other verse in the
New Testament points to the unity of the Godhead and the deity of Jesus Christ. Thus,
though we see Christ as the humble servant while in the flesh, it was by His choice in
obedience to God the Father, and does not mean that at any point was He not fully God. In
the flesh He cried out "Why hast thou forsaken me?" The Eternal Son of God knew
He would rise with power and glory three days hence.
"Set apart" as the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah by the anointing of the
Holy Ghost beyond measure fulfills Scripture and again refers to the human nature of
Christ. I wish there were some way to explain this without separating the two natures of
Christ which cannot happen as we have seen in the two previous questions and answers. For
the sake of understanding however, what follows is meant for the human nature which has
been forever united with Jesus Christ, Son of God. He had need in the flesh for the
anointing, for the setting apart to be given authority and ability to fulfill His
threefold office of prophet, priest, and king. As the second person of the Trinity these
were already His. This is part of the human nature being united with the divine nature,
that the whole would hereafter be one with "all" power and authority. The
transfer of power some place so much attention on, did not happen in the sense they think
it did. This was necessary because of the two natures, that as they became one, so the
offices to be filled were also in accordance with the revealed will of God and Scripture.
From among the people and like Moses raised to the office of prophet; of the line of David
to fulfill the promise to David of a never ending throne; and finally a priest without
beginning nor end. The human nature needed to be set apart, anointed, and enabled to
fulfill all this. While not visible as such in His first coming as the Messiah, the deity
of Christ was never set aside for even a moment. This can be somewhat confusing since we
write and speak after the fact, and the same name is used for both natures of Christ; and
the two are one.
We should find great comfort in this human nature and its need to be so enabled of God.
For here we see He was like us, though remaining God. I have spoken before of the great
faith that had to be present in the human nature of Christ because of this union, the
awareness that He was the very Son of God. Yet we see this nature doubt in those words on
the cross. Christ the man there shows great faith and insight as He asks God to forgive
them, for they were ignorant of what they were doing. Then moments later ask why God had
forsaken Him, only to end it all with that insight which only faith once more could have
revealed, as He spoke His final words on that awesome day, "it is finished." So
it is with us, and we can take comfort in the words of John then, that as often as we
confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive them. Our Savior has been there
before us. Like our Lord we too will find moments when our faith grows dim and doubts
creep in, but also like our Lord, we can be assured that in the end, the eye of faith will
be filled with light and we too will be able to stand upright, for the just not only walk
by faith, not sight, but the just live by faith.
Thus all in all, the statement of the Divines stands tall as written, and the proof
texts fit in a way that all should be able to grasp and understand why the Savior of the
world had to be the Christ, the Hebrew Messiah, none other could meet the criteria given
in the Scriptures. Here we see why John began his Gospel the way he did, the Word of God
is God, and this Word is our Savior. The same Word which created and sustains all of
creation.
Dr. Chuck Baynard - 246 Rainbow Circle, Clover, SC 29710
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