A Messianic Priest-King

April 13, 2014 Background Scripture: Jeremiah 23:5, 6; Zechariah 6:9 – 15; John 19:1 – 5; Hebrews 7:13 Lesson Passage: Jeremiah 23:5, 6; Zechariah 6:9 – 15; John 19:1 – 5 The title of our lesson this week depicts a single person who fills three distinct roles. First and foremost, the person would be the Messiah or Anointed One of God. Secondly, the person would be the eternal Priest who would forever intercede for the people of God. This eternal priesthood would not be after the order of the Levites since the Levitical order was built around a succession due to the limited lifespan of the Levites. This priesthood would be after the order of Melchizedek—that is, unending. Then thirdly the person would be the eternal King over God’s kingdom. Previous to the gospel message, the three distinct roles were not anticipated as being filled by one person. In fact, the general expectation was that the Messiah would be an earthly deliverer to save the sovereign nation of Israel from her earthly enemies. The prophecy pointed to David’s lineage as heir to the throne of Israel forever. All of this had to also line up with Isaiah’s prophecy about the suffering servant. Within hours before his death on Calvary, Pilate presented Jesus to the Jews as a man who had been beaten and mocked. Perhaps Pilate hoped that seeing him that way would satisfy the Jewish leaders’ obvious contempt for Jesus. It was not enough. They would not be satisfied until Jesus was literally put to death and out of their midst. After the Jewish leaders refused to go along with Pilate’s scheme, Pilate questioned Jesus further. Afterwards, Pilate presented him again to the Jewish leaders but this time he was presented as their King. The Jewish crowd became more furious towards Pilate and demanded that he finish the job of crucifying Jesus. The image of a beaten and mocked Jesus was beyond their expectations of the true Messiah. If Jesus is the one to deliver them from the persecution of the Roman Empire, then surely he should be able to overcome one regional ruler such as Pilate. If he is truly all-powerful, then he could prove it by avoiding the crucifixion or coming off the cross to destroy his tormentors. The Jewish leaders continued their mockery by saying, He saved others; himself he cannot save. This was the proof the Jewish leaders sought that showed that Jesus was not the Messiah as he had apparently led many to believe. Their proof was based on their erroneous understanding of the Messiah. Little did they know that the crucifixion was all part of the divine plan; in between the advent of the Messiah and the establishment of the earthly kingship there was the need for the preparation of the priest. The priest would suffer all things so he would be made the perfect priest. God had created man in His image and after His likeness so that man could become as God is. Because man was disobedient and sinned, man fell from grace. To rescue man from destruction, God would now create Himself in the image and likeness of man and become as man. He would bear man’s destruction and thus save man and redeem him back to Himself. Man’s salvation required a Messiah. Man’s relationship with God required a Priest. Man’s need for leadership required a King. God gave man all of that through a Messianic Priest-King. Robert C. Hudson March 26, 2013