2. 1. Explains 1. Explains some difficult passages 2. Clarifies 2. Clarifies apparent contradictions 3. Sheds 3. Sheds light on Jesus’ ministry 4. Enables 4. Enables us to appreciate Him more Why is this important?

3.  Prophecy  Prophecy of Moses (Deut 18:15)  Testimony  Testimony of Jesus (Matt 13:57, Lk 13:33)  Samaritan  Samaritan woman (Jn 4:19)  Road  Road to Emmaus (Lk 24:19)  Peter  Peter confirms it. (Acts 3:22) Nothing difficult about that one! The Easy Part … Prophet

4.  Mediator  Mediator between God and men  Speaks  Speaks to men in name of God  Not  Not just foretelling foretelling – forth-telling  God’s  God’s mouthpiece  Speaks  Speaks by inspiration  Sometimes  Sometimes sees visions or dreams  Message  Message must agree with Scripture What is a Prophet?

5.  Beware  Beware the Muslim error!  Christ  Christ - ultimate fulfilment of prophet   He was Son before Prophet, Priest, and King; office not foundation of Sonship, but Sonship is foundation of His office.   A Prophet raised up for them Deut. 18:15-19  Prophets  Prophets bring the word – He is the Word  Note  Note the warnings: Jn 12:48- 49; I Jn 5:10 Jesus the Prophet

6.  Read  Read book of Hebrews (esp. 2:14-18)   If Jesus had not been human— 1. 1. Could not have tasted death for all 2. 2. Could not be perfect through suffering. 3. 3. God could not have condemned sin in the flesh of Jesus.   Only OT priests allowed to sacrifice   We now all priests I Pet 2:5,9; Rev 1:6; 5:10 Jesus as Priest

7.   Four characteristics of the priest: 1. 1. chosen by God; 2. 2. property of God; 3. 3. holy unto God, and 4. 4. offered gifts to & from God (Num. 18:8; I Cor 9:13-14; Heb 5:1-4).   Read Hebrews for confirmation Jesus our Great High Priest

8.  Gen  Gen 14:18; Heb 7:1 – King of Salem  Play  Play on words – melech & tzedek  Why  Why so important? – Genealogy - Levi!  Features  Features of this priesthood:  Royal  Righteous  Peace-promoting  Personal  Not  Not inherited  Eternal Melchizedek – who??

9.   Lesson of Hebrews 7   He fulfilled in Himself all requirements   No need to offer for own sins (Heb 7:27)   No need for daily or annual repetition   He opened the way to the Holiest Place (cf. Lev 16:2; Heb 9:7; Matt 27:51)   He was also the sacrifice Heb 9:11-12 Jesus – the Greater Greater High Priest

10.  Promise  Promise of Gabriel (Lk 1:32-33)  Wise  Wise Men call Him King (Matt 2:2)  Jesus  Jesus refers to self as King (Matt 21:5)  Pilate  Pilate calls Him King (Matt 27:11)  Php  Php 2:10 at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, & in the world below will kneel & confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Jesus the King

11.  No  No kingdom without a king  Accusation  Accusation against early church Acts 17  “Kingdom  “Kingdom of God” 70 times in NT  Isa  Isa 9:6-7 “throne of David”  I  I Tim 6:15 King of kings, Lord of lords  Lk  Lk 19:14 not have this man reign  Do  Do we honour Him as King? The King and the Kingdom

12.  Prophet,  Prophet, Priest & King all anointed  3  3 separate roles fulfilled in One  “Son,”  “Son,” yet “the everlasting Father”;  “Child,”  “Child,” yet “the mighty God”;  “Prince  “Prince of peace,” sitting “upon the throne of David,” yet “Shiloh”  “Son  “Son of David,” yet “Lord of David”;  Prophet  Prophet and Priest, yet also a King; In summary