THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTIAN TRADITION

 

Chapter 12

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Christ, the Priest and King at the Same Time

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Text

Ps. 110:1-4 (KJV) The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

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Memory Verse

Zech. 6:13 (NIV) ‘It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’

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Introduction

Before Jesus, there was only one king mentioned in the Old Testament whose office combined the role of king and priest to God: Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18-20). He is a foreshadowing of Christ.

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The Church in the Middle Ages tried to combine the offices of king and priest, claiming to run both spiritual and political life in Europe. But they failed. Why? Because only someone greater than human flesh can actually save and sustain people. That is why

 

God promised a Messiah who would be both Priest and King forever. That Messiah is Jesus, raised and ascended (Heb. 10:13; Eph. 4:7-10).

 

Presentation

 

1. The Messiah Was Predicted to Come from David’s Line - Powerful and Merciful

The Old Testament said that the Messiah would bring an age of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and mercy (Ps. 72:1-14).

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His rule would crush hostility and bring justice through overwhelming power (Isa. 11:1-9). Not brute force for control, but power that heals and restores.

 

2. Jesus Said “I Am He”

When Pilate asked whether He was a king, Jesus admitted it (John 18:36-37). He said that He was born to bear witness to the truth and that His kingdom is not of this world.

 

His kingdom does not work like human governments. It is not measured by military might, elections, or economics.

 

He also said that He would return with power and majesty to judge the nations (Matt. 25:31). Even the thief on the tree got it - he asked Jesus for favour, recognizing His eternal, God-approved position (Luke 23:42).

 

3. Jesus’s Resurrection Confirmed His Coronation

After rising from the dead, Jesus said all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him (Matt. 28:18; Acts 17:30-31).

 

When He ascended, He took His place as eternal Priest and King in heaven’s sanctuary, ruling over the nations from there. He is not waiting to become King. He already is King.

 

4. He is the One Who Owns and Runs Everything

Jesus owns all things, is in all things, and everything exists for Him (Col. 1:15-19; Eph. 1:20-21).

 

Depending on Him is like being inside an unbreakable fortress (Matt. 28:18-20). Nothing can take you out of His authority and care.

 

Conclusion

Isa. 9:6 said it centuries before: “For unto us a child is born… the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (KJV)

 

That prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus. He is the Jewish Messiah and the Christ for everyone. Matthew’s Gospel keeps hammering this point with “to fulfil what was written…” because it all points to Him.

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Evaluation Questions & Answers​

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1. Between theocracy and democracy, which one does Jehovah endorse for Jesus’s rule?

   • Theocracy - God’s rule. Jesus’s kingdom is not run by human voting or opinions. He rules directly from heaven as King and Priest. Democracy is a model for humans, but Jesus’s reign is divine.

2. Why can man not rule over man’s affairs satisfactorily?

   • Because humans are limited, biased, and sinful. History proves it. Only Jesus, who is both God and man, has the wisdom, power, and righteousness to rule perfectly.

3. What is the sole and outstanding divine testimony that Jesus is the Messiah / Christ?

   • His resurrection from the dead. That is God’s public confirmation that Jesus is who He claimed to be and that His work was accepted (Rom. 1:4; Acts 17:31).

4. A dependence on Jesus is an invincible fortress. Why?

   • Because all authority belongs to Him (Matt. 28:18). If you are under His rule, you are under the strongest protection in the universe. No force, spiritual or physical, can overthrow Him or remove you from Him (Rom. 8:38-39).

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Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word. Raise up good leaders among us at every level by showing us the perfect leadership model we have in Christ, our Master. Amen.