Jesus As Prophet Priest and King
Jesus as prophet, priest, and king? How does that work? Isn’t He already yours?
As a new Christian, I unknowingly limited Jesus. He was my Lord and Savior. It never occurred to me until years later that the threefold mission of the prophet, priest, and king had significant meaning to me as a believer.
Thankfully, I now see Jesus differently.
Hebrews 1:1-3
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Jesus as Prophet
How can Jesus be your prophet?
Jesus said in John 12:49 that He only says what the Father tells Him to speak. He never spoke an original word because His Father did the work (John 14:10).
In the same way, Jesus the Prophet shines the light of God the Father’s message into a believer’s heart. From the first moment you took Jesus as yours, He continues to mix love with His Word to overshadow sin in your heart. He points you in the right direction by enlightening, leading, and teaching.
When Jesus is your prophet, He meets your needs. But most Christians don’t draw on His power. We believe more in what our minister or loved ones say instead of divine truth offered by the Holy Spirit. We fail to wait for teaching from heaven.
Every day and every hour a believer needs to “hear Him” (Luke 9:35). When we hear Jesus our prophet speak, we know how to live. For example, before Jesus came to earth God raised up prophets to convict people of sin, reveal truth, and provide hope for their future. When Biblical priesthoods and kingships failed, they needed a prophet to help them stay on their chosen path.
With Jesus at your helm, you are wide awake spiritually because you stay in full contact with Him. He is your living Christ because He reveals His Father’s heart.
Jesus as Priest
A priest’s job for the Israelites was to restore fellowship with God by performing animal sacrifices and other rituals on behalf of the people. He was the go-between representative between heaven and earth. The priest was the only one who could enter the most sacred place, the Holy of Holies. Everyone else had to keep their distance.
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, believers have a High Priest. That means Jesus opened up the sanctuary with His blood so you can meet with Him. He cleansed the sanctuary permanently so it’s always available to you. You don’t need a priest on earth to link you to heaven.
As a priest, Jesus intercedes for His people non-stop. Through His prayers and prophetic voice, we learn how to receive blessings, worship, and take on the likeness of Jesus’ character and His spirit. He teaches us how to live the New Testament covenant. Jesus brings life to us so we can go out to minister and bless others. We learn how to exercise boldness.
Hebrews 10:19-23
Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
Jesus as King
Have you allowed Jesus to write His laws within your heart? When you do, His kingdom reigns inside you. Jesus becomes King! You willingly become subject to Jesus’ kingship through God’s plan of salvation.
Colossians 1:13-14
He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Redemption comes with privileges and responsibilities. Converts to Christ learn to obey Jesus quickly and submit to the Lord’s chastenings. They know the importance of avoiding Satan’s traps and look to Jesus for protection. Christians seek peace and let it rule their hearts (Colossians 3:15) and see strife as an enemy. Jesus doesn’t rule with an iron hand but with love which Christians learn to recognize as a Holy Spirit trademark.
When Jesus rules your life, you are no longer subject to the curse of the law. Sin no longer has dominion over you and tranquility becomes the norm rather than an occasional happening. Christians who abide in Jesus’ presence yearn to see their King face to face on that day they join Him in heaven.
Jesus As Prophet, Priest, and King
Jesus through the Holy Spirit revealed salvation to you as a prophet. As a priest, Jesus offered Himself so you could obtain redemption. All of the spiritual and tangible benefits you receive are from Jesus’ position as King.
Jesus found no rest while He was here. He labored under His load and sweat drops of blood to complete His mission. But God had a plan and a place for Him to sit. Jesus is seated at God’s right hand because He completed the work God gave Him.
Christ continues to rule but He does so from heaven. He is the cup of blessing and bread of life when a Christian takes communion. Jesus is the food we need to become one glorious Body and a message of hope to a world full of lost people.
This is your Christian destiny. You accept Jesus as your prophet, priest, and king and live accordingly.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.