DECEMBER 15 CHRIST: THE PROPHET, PRIEST, AND KING By Phil Moser Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
The angels announced to the shepherds: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
The term “Christ” comes from the Greek word, christos . It means “the anointed one” and is the exact equivalent of the Hebrew word, Messiah. In ancient times, three offices were anointed: prophet, priest, and king.
In Biblical times, the prophet was one who spoke on behalf of God. The priest was a mediator between God and man. The king served as the people’s protector and provider. To think of Christ fulfilling each of these roles is quite encouraging. In our lostness, we needed a message from God. In our sinful rebellion, we needed a mediator on our behalf to the Father. In our weakness, we needed the tender protection of a loving king. As the Anointed One, Jesus was all of that. As Jesus’ ministry waned in popularity, He warned the people what they were overlooking. Pay careful attention to the illustrations He selected. He said that the men of Nineveh would judge them because “they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here ” (Matthew 12:41). When He spoke of the temple (where the priests served), He said, “I tell you, something greater than the temple is here” (Matthew 12:6). Finally, He spoke of the Queen of the south who “came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here ” (Matthew 12:42). Jonah was a prophet; the priests served in the temple, and Solomon was king. Jesus was reminding them of His role as prophet, priest, and king. He was the Anointed One whom God had sent to fulfill these three roles. All of that is packed into one simple word: Christ. A word the angels used to announce the birth of Jesus.
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