A Journey to Easter - Day 28
- Debbra Stephens
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
(Luke 1:32-33 ESV)
Often, when we’re looking for a leader, we realize the ideal combines a few different roles—in order to meet a variety of needs (and expectations). Well, look no further. Look only to Jesus, who fulfills the three major roles of ancient Israel—that of Prophet, Priest, and King.
Anointed by the Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17; Luke 4:18), appointed by the Father on oath (Hebrews 7:20; Psalm 110:4), and given full authority (Matthew 28:18), Jesus is now the only Mediator we’ll ever need. This is precisely and strongly defended throughout the letter to the Hebrews. In chapter one, the preacher presents Jesus as the final herald of God’s message to His people. The author also presents Jesus as performing the duties of a priest by “making purification for sins” and that of a king by sitting “down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:1-3).
Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God. He offered Himself, the spotless Lamb, a sacrifice, providing atonement for sin. And He conquered sin, death, and the grave as Ruler of heaven and earth. He is the Perfect Prophet, Priest, and King. And He holds these offices permanently (Hebrews 7:24).
You may wonder why it’s important for us to have a Prophet, Priest, and King. The best explanation I’ve come across (next to that in Hebrews) is from Francis Turretin, a Protestant scholar and theologian from the 1600s. He wrote, “the three miserable consequences introduced by sin—ignorance, guilt, and bondage to sin—required Christ to fulfill three roles for us. Ignorance is healed by Christ the prophet; guilt by Christ the Priest; the tyranny and bondage to sin by Christ the King. Prophetic light scatters the darkness of error; the merit of the Priest takes away guilt and procures a reconciliation for us; the power of the King removes the bondage of sin and death. The Prophet shows God to us; the Priest leads us to God; and the King joins us together and glorifies us with God. The Prophet enlightens the mind by the Spirit of illumination; the Priest by the Spirit of consolation tranquilizes the heart and conscience; the King by the Spirit of sanctification subdues rebellious desires and emotions.”
It is a grace to have such a Rabbi, Savior, and Lord of our lives! Though fully God, He too is fully Man. Therefore, He empathizes with our weakness (Hebrews 4:15) and identifies with us, but in purity and holiness. Let this understanding of the ongoing work of Jesus Christ fuel our celebrations as we journey to Easter.
Comments