Jesus as Priest

Jesus as Priest

Hebrews 5:5-10

December 9, 1998

Last week we looked at Scriptures identifying Jesus Christ as the promised Prophet who is the very mouth of God. His prophetic statements declare Jesus to be the Son of God and Redeemer of all mankind. We recognize and hear His Prophetic voice, still today, whenever the Good News of redemption in Jesus Christ is proclaimed. But Jesus is far superior to the prophets in that He is the very Word of God in human flesh.

This week we see Scripture identifying Jesus Christ as High Priest. And if we continued with this study next week, we would hear Scripture identify Jesus Christ as King. But we have something else planned for you next week. Nevertheless, we should be aware of the Scriptural teaching that the work of Jesus Christ is identified in terms of office; the office of Prophet, Priest, and King.

So what? Why do we need to know about this threefold office? Quite simply, it identifies who Jesus is. No educated Jew can miss the meaning. Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah of God who is Lord of lords and King of kings. No God-fearing person can miss the point the work of Jesus Christ accomplishes in us. As The Prophet his message is validated by signs of healing and forgiveness. As The Priest his sacrifice is validated by his resurrection from the dead. As The King his Lordship is validated by the Holy Spirit whom he has given to seal us in God unto eternal life.

So what specifically can we learn about Jesus as Priest?

1) We can learn that his work as priest satisfies God’s wrath and atones for sin. Apart from this work of atonement God’s final judgement on us is based on everything we have done in the flesh.

2) We can learn that his work as priest satisfies God’s righteous requirements of obedience. Apart from this work of obedience there is no obedience before God.

3) We can learn that his work as priest places him face to face with God to speak on behalf of all flesh. Apart from this work of intercession God recognizes no plea of righteousness.

Perhaps the point of all this theology can be made more clear through an illustration involving the royal family of England. As the story goes, the royal family was cruising on their yacht Britannia one night. The captain saw a bright, bluish light ahead in the mist. He sent an urgent message: Please alter course! The response was terse, You alter course! Angered by the arrogant response, he immediately responded, “This is John Jones, captain of the royal yacht. The Prince and Princess are on board. By the authority of the Queen, “you change course!” The answer was instantaneous. “This is Fred Smith, keeper of this lighthouse for 22 years, “I Can’t Change Course!”

Here’s the point. Many of us want Jesus to sail different waters or to take another route to get out of our way. Then we discover that he is the lighthouse, “a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek,” by whose light we must sail to be well forever, to be cured of our diseases, to be redeemed from our sin. We must change course and let him guide us to safe harbor, or we shall surely perish. Amen.