Sometimes when asked what I do or where I work, I mentally
think: wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, mentor, child of God and
more. Even though the person asking is thinking more about a career and less
about titles, those titles describe what I do, even where I work.
Today, I’m thinking of the titles of my Lord, and the list
is much longer than my list. Today’s devotional focuses on three of them by
examining an Old Testament passage. It tells how the exiles came back to
Jerusalem from Babylon and made Joshua the high priest. However, Zechariah the
prophet spoke of another person using a term that refers to the promised Messiah.
It was the ‘Branch’ who would be a priest forever.
Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”’ And the crown shall be in the temple of the Lord as a reminder to (those saved from exile in Babylon). (Zechariah 6:12–14)
Echoing the prophet’s words and other OT references, God’s
people argued about Jesus. Some said, “This really is the Prophet,” referring to
the One Moses said God would raise up after him, the One to whom the people
must listen. They realized that Jesus is that Prophet.
The writer of Hebrews spoke of Jesus saying, “Therefore he
had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a
merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation
for the sins of the people” also calling Him the great high priest of our
confession, and who holds that office forever. (Hebrews 2:17 & 6:20) This
writer realized that Jesus is also a Priest.
The Magi searched for the ‘king of the Jews’ the One who later
came into the city of the King, humble, riding a donkey, the One whom Pilate
recognized as King of the Jews, and His followers called, the King of kings and
Lord of lords. Jesus is that King, the King of kings.
These titles also reveal what Jesus does. Prophets speak
forth the Word of God. This Prophet Jesus IS the Word of God made flesh and
dwelt among us. Priests mediate between God and man, man and God. This Priest
lives forever to intercede for us and to take our prayers and needs before the
throne of heaven. Kings rule over their kingdoms. This King rules an
everlasting Kingdom, the Kingdom of light, truth, promised to those who love
Him, a kingdom that cannot be shaken and He shall reign forever and ever!
In the end, when Jesus returns and His glory is seen, this
new song will praise Him:
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Around the throne, all living creatures, the elders, angels numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, will say with loud voices: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
And every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, will say, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:9–14)
^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, sometimes I have no words, just these from Your Word
that declare Your glory. You are Prophet, Priest, and King. You are the Lamb
who was slain. You are my Lord and my God, forever and ever loving and
interceding for me, and for all Your people. Worship . . .
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