Alive to know and teach his truth, which sets us free. Jesus: Priest, Prophet, KingBy Nathan And KeeganPriestWhat is a Priest?By definition, a Priest is an ordained minister of the Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican Church, authorized to perform certain rites and administer certain sacraments. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. Makes us a child of God. He provides biblical instruction and training to his wife and children without becoming legalistic. This is a far cry from the old order of Aaronic priests. We have plenty of examples of great priests, prophets, and kings throughout scripture and salvation history. Invite them to share their ideas. 18 For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2:17-18, emphasis mine). Priest, Prophet, and King - Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Phoenix, AZ Answer: The baptized serve as priests through their sacrificial efforts to bring people to God. As we shall soon see, the law and the Levitical priesthood were inseparable. Invite the young women to share a story that was meaningful to them with the rest of the class. (Hebrews 7:11). He or she witnesses to God, calls people to conversion, and may also foretell the future. Taking a global perspective, we indeed hope and pray all is calm and bright for all people especially the young whose lives are compromised and challenged. What? 22 Let the priests also, who approach the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break through against them (Exodus 19:20-22, emphasis mine). The subject of our Lords priesthood is not new in Hebrews. 18 On the one hand a former command is set aside because it is weak and useless, 19 for the law made nothing perfect. He introduces his argument in verse 11: 11 So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood for on that basis the people received the law what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aarons order? 13230 Evening Creek Dr S Ste 220-222 | San Diego, CA 92128. The power of the priesthood heals, protects, and inoculates all of the righteous against the powers of darkness. */ In verses 42 and 43, we find another indication of the tremendous pressure the unbelieving Pharisees exerted on those who believed in Jesus. The author then calls our attention to the failure of the first generation of Israelites to enter into Gods rest, in spite of Gods Word and His mighty works. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, so that we who have found refuge in him may find strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us through two unchangeable things, since it is impossible for God to lie. The first 10 verses of chapter 5 compare and contrast our Lord Jesus, a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, with Aaron and the Aaronic priesthood. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 20 And since this was not done without a sworn affirmation - for the others have become priests without a sworn affirmation, 21 but Jesus did so with a sworn affirmation by the one who said to him, The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, You are a priest forever - 22 accordingly Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. (4) That savior was Jesus Christ, the great high priest. Keeping the covenants associated with these ordinances brings priesthood powerthe power of Godinto our lives. To stay alert and well prepared for the polyvalent, timeless meaning of Advent the coming of Christ: 1) in prayer, anticipation of and the joy of celebrating his birth; 2) in preparation of the promise of his glorious Second Coming; and yet, 3) to help us focus on the importance of the here and now how he lives actively in our hearts in the present moment all the year through. thecatholicspirit = PAGE_IDENTIFIER; A mission with three characters. He prays for the salvation of his children. His name first means king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace. Kings of old had limited dominion and limited dynasties; Christ's dominion is over all things and extends forever. Today, we are covering the topic of Christ's offices (of Prophet, Priest, and King). And so, as our author has shown, while the Old Covenant and the Aaronic priesthood provided a means whereby men could enter into a relationship with God, it was weak and powerless to enable sinners to draw near to God in intimate and constant fellowship with Him. They always spoke for God but did not always give a newly revealed message from God. Is there something they can do personally or as a class to apply what they have learned? What can the young women do to access the blessings of the priesthood in their families now and in their future families? Blessings of the Priesthood for All: An Inseparable Connection with the Priesthood. In the Old Testament a priest would literally turn his back to the people and mediate for them before God. The resurrection and ascension of our Lord proved Him to be an eternal member of the Godhead. Like a funnel, the offices of prophet, priest, and king merge and climax in the person of Christ. It is my desire that all of us may get to know the Savior better, including his roles as the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King. The author sets out to demonstrate that the Lord Jesus is a superior high priest to Aaron and to the entire Aaronic priesthood. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit. And everything the priest does is focused on the peoples needs. These offices, of course, were types and shadows of the coming Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, who came with a "threefold office:" prophet (Mark 6:4), priest (Heb. Husbands prophesy to their wives when they wash them with the water of the Word (. Moses spoke, acted, and occupied the office of prophet, bringing about genuine redemption for the Hebrew people. We can recognize this power operating in our lives as we sincerely repent and receive forgiveness, become more sensitive to the promptings and guidance of the Holy Ghost, and draw strength from the ordinances of the gospel. Then, when we approach chapter 7, we find ourselves once again pondering the weightier matter of Melchizedek. As true king, Jesus received the mighty inheritance. Because of this, it's important to note that Jesus is called all three. But contrast this with what we have just read about Aarons role in the Israelites great sin at the base of Mount Sinai. As for this fellow Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him! 2 So Aaron said to them, Break off the gold earrings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me. 3 So all the people broke off the gold earrings that were on their ears and brought them to Aaron. in 1971. He is the Son of God. Deacon Bird ministers at St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville, and assists the Catholic Watchmen movement of the archdioceses Office of Evangelization. He atoned for our sins on the cross of Calvary, and He continually intercedes on our behalf with the Father. 1 Copyright 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. What application did all this have to the original readers of this Epistle to the Hebrews? 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, I am not the Christ, but rather, I have been sent before him. 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. So what did our text mean to this audience? Divide the chapter Blessings of the Priesthood for All: An Inseparable Connection with the Priesthood in Daughters in My Kingdom into sections, and invite the young women to look for stories in which people were blessed by the power of the priesthood. Well also explore several, The priests primary job is to represent Gods people before God. Nearness to God is the goal, and perfection is reaching that goal. Ask the young women to share examples of these blessings in their lives or the lives of people they know. Confused about what it means to be a priest, prophet, and king by virtue of your baptism? Please enable JavaScript to view the These first two chapters depict the adequacy of our Lord to be our Great High Priest. 10 Having said this, we must also point out that while these folks believed lifted up referred to our Lords death (by crucifixion), they did not understand that He would rise from the dead and thus be lifted up in His resurrection, ascension, and glorification. When I go to the computer store to purchase a new hard drive for my computer, the store sells it to me. One path to do this is through prayer and discernment as you seek to accompany others into a deeper relationship with Jesus. What assignments have we fulfilled? The Old is inferior and inadequate; the new is better because it does perfect (draw men near to God). We have a sole priest who reconciles us by his own body and blood, Christ's shed bloodon our behalf. }; These were real offices filled by real people. What does it mean that Jesus is prophet, priest, and king? The prophet speaks a word of redemption. If the law prescribed that high priests must come from the line of Aaron, then it is obvious why a new law (or covenant) would be required. He spends time in prayer each day remembering the needs and concerns of his wife and each of his children. This is because my salvation depends upon Christ, and He lives forever, to save and to keep everyone who draws near to God by faith in Him.7. Chapter 3 begins by referring to the Son as the apostle and high priest whom we confess (3:1).
s.setAttribute('data-timestamp', +new Date()); No worries thats as heavy a learning as it gets here. Led by a member of the class presidency; approximately 510 minutes. 'Priest, Prophet and King' - Catholic News Agency 6 Just as the Levitical priesthood was married to the law, so the priestly ministry of our Lord was married to the New Covenant. 2022 TheCatholicSpirit.com.
(function() { // REQUIRED CONFIGURATION VARIABLE: EDIT THE SHORTNAME BELOW He represents God to his wife and children. Finally, in what might be viewed as an argument from silence, I recall that Aaron did not seem to be the one who saved Israel from Gods wrath through his mediation. So, too, with the high priest, for he was permitted to enter into the holy of holies only once a year. While the priest represents the people before God and takes their petitions to Him, the prophet represents God to people. 5:2; Heb. The second is the oath God swore to the Son in Psalm 110 concerning His priesthood after the order of Melchizedek: As the author points out, this oath regarding Christs priesthood was confirmed by Gods oath. One man didn't wear more than one title. Some of this weakness was to be found in the Old Covenant (a subject to be taken up much more in depth in chapter 8), and some was to be found in the weakness of those men who were Israels high priests, starting with Aaron. 20 For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:19-20). This is not only for clergy! These boundaries, like the veil of the temple, would be removed by the work of Christ and the New Covenant.6. The first reason is set forth in verse 18 and the first half of verse 19: the law was not able to perfect anything. And they serve as kings in their efforts to lead othersagain through word and deedto use their talents to advance the Kingdom of God (see CCC 1241). Especially when it involves teaching the younger family members works of mercy via the experience of helping others in need. Has he not also spoken through us? And the Lord heard it (Numbers 12:1-2). It was unable to fulfill Gods covenant promise to Abraham and his descendants. Our lives: Remind the class of the discussion from the last meeting. Learn how your comment data is processed. Let me attempt to illustrate this. And here is a reminder of Pope Francis prayer intention for December the somewhat mellow season of Advent that leads to the joy of Christmastide: That every country takes the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering.. Sometimes they perform healings and miracles in the name of the Lord. That of priest, prophet, and king. He sets the spiritual temperature in the home. For more in-depth studies on the difference between priests and prophets, consider one of these recommended resources: Did you miss our series on exploring the names of God? 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. 33 (Now he said this to indicate clearly what kind of death he was going to die.) Jesus as Prophet 17. From Good to Great: A Better Priest and a Better Covenant (Hebrews Finally, kings in the Old Testament functioned in the realm of exercising judicial power in the civil realm and were often times military figures who led military campaigns. Three times a year the men of the nation were required to appear in Jerusalem for one of the three feasts.8 This is not anything like the intimate fellowship we can have with God through the Lord Jesus on a daily, moment-by-moment, basis. Parents prophesy to their children when they speak to their children of the things of God when they lie down and when they rise up and when they walk by the way (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, the apostle and high priest whom we confess, Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses. Then they said, These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt. 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it, and Aaron made a proclamation and said, Tomorrow will be a feast to the Lord. 6 So they got up early on the next day and offered up burnt offerings and brought peace offerings, and the people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play (Exodus 32:1-6). 1. However, he has greater authority than the average person and greater authority than that of earthly kings. Jesus: Prophet, Priest, and King | Loyola Press 2. 13 Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever officiated at the altar. Prophet, Priest, and King: Our Identity in Christ