In our previous discussions, we’ve marveled at the mystery of Christ being of one being with the Father and eternally begotten. But how does this eternal Son of God actually function as our Savior? To understand the work of Jesus, we have to look back at the three most important roles in the Old Testament: the Prophet, the Priest, and the King.
In ancient Israel, these were distinct offices held by different people. But in Jesus, these three streams merge into one mighty river. For “the Faith People,” Jesus isn’t just a figure from history; He is the fulfiller of every promise.
Jesus as our Greater Prophet
In the Old Testament, prophets like Moses were mediators. They rebuked sin and proclaimed mercy, but they only spoke what was revealed to them. Moses was a great prophet, but he was a pointer to the Truth, not the Truth itself.
Jesus supersedes them all. As Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets… but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” Jesus didn’t just bring a message from God; He is the message. While Moses spoke of the Prophet to come, Jesus spoke of Himself. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord of the prophets who doesn’t just point to the way—He is the Way.
Jesus as our Great High Priest
A priest’s job was to represent the people before God. Priests like Aaron offered up the blood of bulls and goats as a temporary substitute for sin. But those priests were sinners themselves; they needed a savior just as much as the people they served.
Jesus, however, is the sinless High Priest. As we see in Hebrews 10:11-14, He didn’t offer up perpetual sacrifices that could never truly take away sins. Instead, He offered Himself—one sacrifice for all time. His blood has immeasurable redeeming value because it was shed by the Son of God. He is both the Priest who offers the sacrifice and the Lamb who is the sacrifice. He reconciles us to God by His own body and blood, shed on our behalf.
Jesus as our Eternal King
Old Testament kings like David exercised judicial and military power, establishing dynasties that eventually crumbled. They had limited dominion and limited lifespans.
But Jesus is the King whose dynasty has no end. According to Hebrews 2:8, everything—yes, everything—is put in subjection under His feet. He has dominion not just because He is a man, but because He is the heir of all things, the one through whom the universe was created. He didn’t just win a territory; He won the victory over sin and death. He sits on a throne of grace, exercising complete and just authority over the universe and the Church.
A Call to Action for Believers
If Jesus is your Prophet, are you listening to His words of life above the noise of the world? If Jesus is your Priest, are you resting in His finished work, or are you still trying to “earn” your way to God? If Jesus is your King, are you living in joyful submission to His authority in your home, your work, and your heart?
Beloved, do not ignore so great a salvation. We have the quintessential Prophet who speaks for us, the Priest who acts on our behalf, and the King who rules over us. Glory be to You, O Christ, our crucified and resurrected Mediator!
Reflect: In which area of your life do you need to lean more on Jesus today—as the Truth-teller (Prophet), the Bridge-builder (Priest), or the Sovereign Ruler (King)?
Next Step: Now that we understand the roles Jesus fulfilled on earth, we must ask: where is He now? Join me in the next post as we explore: Where is Jesus now?