Priest: The Second Messianic Office of Jesus

Messianic Offices

What are the three Messianic (anointed) offices (duties/roles) we learned about last week?

How is Jesus a prophet? In his public ministry he teaches (words), performs miracles (deeds), and sets an example for what it means to be truly human (example).

What part of Jesus’ work do we associate with his role as priest?

A Priest like Aaron/Melchizedek

What kind of priest are we talking about? Are we talking about Catholic priest? No. We’re talking about the Priesthood (think Levites) of the Old Testament.

What were these priests responsible for? Deut 18:1-5

Deuteronomy 18:1–5 (CSB)

“The Levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi, will have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They will eat the Lord’s food offerings; that is their inheritance. Although Levi has no inheritance among his brothers, the Lord is his inheritance, as he promised him. This is the priests’ share from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether it is an ox, a sheep, or a goat; the priests are to be given the shoulder, jaws, and stomach. You are to give him the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and fresh oil, and the first sheared wool of your flock. For the Lord your God has chosen him and his sons from all your tribes to stand and minister in his name from now on.

To serve the LORD

To make sacrifices

To intercede for the people

To bless the people

The Three Functions of Christ as Priest

Sacrifice (Destroys Barrier Between God and Humanity)

Jesus makes perfect satisfaction to God the Father through his suffering and death on the cross

Cross as Altar

Formerly, a lamb “without blemish” would be offered on an altar to atone for one’s sins … now, the perfect lamb of God “without blemish” has offered himself on the cross to atone for the sins of the world

Christ as Temple

The Temple was the epicenter of Jewish religious life, for it was where they understood the presence of God to be … Christ identifies himself as the Temple John 2:19 — he is where we encounter God.

John 2:19 CSB

Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.”

Intercession (Mediation between God and Humanity)

Jesus’ sacrifice is the basis for his intercession

Jesus intercedes with the Father for the contrite in heart eternally

Prayer

This is our whole basis for prayer — we pray to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit

Jesus can appeal to the sacrifice he made to plead on our behalf

Empathy

The Spirit in our heart, the Son in heaven

God is with us precisely amid our temptations

Blessing (Application of the Benefit)

Jesus brings the blessing of redemption to humanity

Blessing, in a priestly context, is a pronouncement that signals divine acceptance of the sacrifice

The Priestly Blessing

The model blessing is found in Num 6:22-26

Numbers 6:22–26 (CSB)

The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. You should say to them,

“May the Lord bless you and protect you;

may the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

may the Lord look with favor on you

and give you peace.” ’

This has been given trinitarian interpretations

The Spirit perfectly applies the benefits achieved by Christ

Melchizedek as Type of Christ

Genesis 14:17–20 CSB

After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley (that is, the King’s Valley). Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Melchizedek (Righteous King), King of Salem (Peace), is a better “type” of Christ as Priest than even Aaron (the first high priest), because Jesus is not a priest by descent, and does not belong to a corrupt lineage of priests — rather, he comes from a wholly different order … a more ancient order of priest … that of Melchizedek

The author of Hebrews makes this comparison to point to the superiority of Christ’s priesthood Heb 7:11-12

Hebrews 7:11–12 CSB

Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well.

We are Priests Too

1 Peter 2:4–5 (CSB)

As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Sacrifice

Romans 12:1–2 CSB

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

We sacrifice certain comforts, pleasures, etc. to keep our focus on God

Intercession

We pray for each other in Christ

Blessing

We pronounce God’s benefits on each other as a reminder and encouragement