51. Christ's Three-Fold Office Series

[IN GOD’S IMAGE 51 – CHRIST’S THREE-FOLD OFFICE]

This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning with God in prehistory and finishing

with humanity joining God in eternity as His loving sons and daughters. It is at times, a painful yet fascinating story, not only for humanity, but also for God. As the sermons follow a chronological view of the story of salvation, it is highly recommend they be presented in numerical order rather than jumping to the more “interesting” or “controversial” subjects as the material builds on what is presented earlier. We also recommend reading the introduction prior to using the material. The free book version along with any graphics or figures mentioned in this series can be downloaded at www.ingodsimage.site - Gary Regazzoli

We have been looking at Jesus’ ascension to the Father after His resurrection.

• Jesus through His incarnation and His atoning work on behalf of humanity has more than demonstrated God’s love for His creation.

• The task now is to make mankind aware of the love this self-sacrificing God has demonstrated on their behalf.

• The goal of Jesus ministry remains the same, to save the world. The hard work of providing justification and reconciliation for all humanity has been accomplished.

• The emphasis of His ministry now changes to enlightening a mostly oblivious humanity of what God has accomplished on their behalf and to get them to respond voluntarily to His overtures.

• They need to be made aware of this “good news,” as that is what the “gospel” is all about.

With His ascension to the Father, Jesus assumes three very important roles in order to complete the process of restoring reconciliation between God and humanity.

• Like many other parts of Jesus reconciling ministry, all three roles have been foreshadowed in the Mosaic Covenant God negotiated with ancient Israel.

• They are the role of prophet, priest and king.

• However there is a very important difference between the roles fulfilled by His ancient counterparts and the role Jesus assumes under the New Covenant.

• Whereas in the past these roles were a mere shadow of the coming reality, Jesus is the genuine article.

• Moses, in his role as prophet only passed on God’s Word as it was relayed to him. Aaron, as high priest acted in a purely representative role as he led Israel in their worship of God, and King David was only king over an earthly kingdom.

• As we will see, Jesus is the realized embodiment of these three functions.

Neither did Jesus come by these titles lightly. They were agonizingly earned through His incarnation and His atoning sacrifice.

• His prophetic ministry began when the “Word” humbled Himself and became flesh (John 1:14).

• His high priestly ministry is primarily associated with His being led as a lamb to the slaughter as He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

• His kingly ministry began when He stepped forward as our representative to be baptized by John, then went about the countryside proclaiming the kingdom of God, and finally submitting to the degradation of being raised up on a cross wearing a crown of thorns under the sign proclaiming Him to be, king of the Jews.

• However, it is only after He has completed each of these tasks and has ascended to the Father’s right hand that He is rightfully proclaimed to hold the threefold office of prophet, priest and king.

• And it is from here at the heavenly sanctuary as part of the new creation, that Jesus continues His ministry as prophet, priest and king, in completing the task of bringing humanity into personal communion with their God.

So then, let’s look at these three roles - First, Christ the king.

• A king, in order to be a king, has to have a kingdom.

• As we saw, the establishment of this new kingdom begins with Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension.

• This forerunner, as He is called in the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 6:20), now represents all humanity is enthroned as King of kings and Lord of lords over all the powers in the universe.

• As Jesus prayed in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come” has become a reality.

• And this kingdom has a worthy king who has more than qualified for that position through His selfless sacrifice.

• Hebrews 2:9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.