Chapter 11
Jesus: King, Prophet, Priest
In order to understand the completeness of the blood covenant, you must understand the significance of the crucifixion. So much more happened than Jesus being nailed to a cross. And to understand the crucifixion, you must understand the meaning of Jesus the High Priest, Jesus the Prophet, and Jesus the King. In biblical times, there were three types of rulers, the High Priest, the Prophet, and the King. Each role had authority and was separate from one another. According to Jewish law, it was not possible to hold two of the three titles. Jesus held all three. So, you know Jesus as Savior, but do you understand He is also a Prophet, a High Priest, and a King? Perhaps you do, but please give me a chance to explain them in detail you may have not herd.
King
It should be obvious that the king was the ruler of a kingdom and was in charge. It was the duty of the king to govern and protect his people. It was prophesied that Jesus would be the King of the Jews in Zechariah 9:9.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9 NASB)
Nineteen scriptures refer to Jesus as the King of the Jews or the King of Israel in one way or another. Without being Jews or being from Israel, the wise men came to Jerusalem looking for the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). Jesus was accused of being the King of the Jews in several places and in Matthew 27:11, Mark 15:2, and Luke 23:3. He admitted to the charge. The banner that was over His head on the cross said, “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.” In John 18:36 Jesus admits that He was born to be the King of the Jews:
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:36–37 NASB)
It was God’s intention from the beginning that Israel would not have a king to govern and protect them, but that they rely on their God for guidance and protection (1 Samuel 8:7). When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce to her that she would be the mother of the Messiah, he predicted that Jesus would be the King over Israel:
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:31–33 NASB)
The scriptures do not just call Jesus King of the Jews, they call Him the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14 and 19:16).
Prophet
The prophet’s role in biblical times was to be a mouthpiece for God and speak His Word in truth. He gave advice, predictions, performed miracles, and gave guidance to the people. Jesus accomplished all of these things. He only did what the Father told Him and He only what He saw the Father do (John 5:19-23, 8:28, 12:49–50, 14:10). Jesus made 17 predictions that came true1. Jesus performed 37 miracles2. As far as giving advice and guidance, Jesus’s entire ministry was one of teaching His followers the way of God.
High Priest
In biblical times, there was only one High Priest in office at a time. The High Priest was the mediator between God and man and was the only one allowed to enter the Holy of Holies; and that happened only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yon Kipper). The High Priest interceded on behalf of mankind for their sins by offering animal sacrifices in accordance with the Law of Moses. Jesus did not offer up animal sacrifices to cover our sins, He offered up His own life as a bloody animal sacrifice to completely cleanse us of our sins. He took the role of the Jewish High Priest and became our mediator between us and God the Father (Hebrews 8:6, 9:15, 12:24, and 1 Timothy 2:5).
For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15 NASB)
How did Jesus become the High Priest if He was not a descendant of Aaron?