In the concluding part of the series on the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah (9:6-7) which portrays the Messiah as an embodiment of four types of Leaders who led the Chosen Nation of Israel in its “4 installment” 2000 year history, today we come in Chronological order to the last category…
Priests
“And He will be called…Prince of Peace…”
“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.” (1 John 2:1)
The last 500 years of Jewish History coinciding towards the end with the First advent of the Messiah witnessed the leadership of Priests beginning with sincere Joshua (Ezra 2:2/3:2/Zech 3:8) and ending with capricious, self-seeking ones…the likes of Annas and Caiaphas (Luke 3:2), who were “yoking” people with their own, man-made “heavy” traditions, so much so that the Redeemer made the clarion call: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matt 11:28-30)
Well as per the Law what was the primary calling of the Priest? To stand in the Gap and intercede for the people. He would be the people’s representative before God and vice-versa. In other words, he would virtually be a “peacemaker” between Holy God on one side and unholy people on the other. Messiah, by His unique virgin birth alone, qualifies to be the “perfect Peacemaker”. By virtue of being the Son of Man (Mary was His mother — Luke 19:10), He would be Man’s advocate before God and by the same token by being Son of God (John 3:16), He would represent the interests of the Almighty before men. Now by shedding His precious atoning blood on the Cross, the Messiah has become the Prince of Peace of the Entire World, as this Scripture declares:
“So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.” (Heb 9:12)
Before He establishes World-wide peace at His Second Advent, Jesus is keener now on establishing the peace that passes all understanding in the hearts of everyone who accepts Him as his “personal High Priest”. How is that done? By placing His Holy Spirit in our hearts, who by His joyous presence at all times (except at the times of our disobedience) assures us that all is well between us and our Creator. Is anything more important than this realization, which at once puts our troubled minds at rest? If the Lord is on our side, then who can be against us…(Romans 8:31).
Now Dear Friends, those of you who have never accepted Jesus as “High Priest” of your life, why delay any further and those who have done so but have back-slidden since, isn’t the time right now for appropriating this Biblical promise in your lives:
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)
Christian life begins with repentance and is sustained by repentance.
Hey, the Heavenly Father on the First Christmas put the:
a) Right Product: Messiah embodying the 4 P’s of Jewish history;
b) In the Right Place: Israel is at the centre of Earth (See Ezekiel 5:5);
c) At the Right Time: (when Rome the World power had connected the nations under its control with excellent roads facilitating easy spread of the Gospel — See Galatians 4:4);
d) At the Right Place (Absolutely free to us, but at an incredible cost to Him); and
e) Backed up with Right Angelic, cosmic Promotion: (Luke 2:8-15/Matt 2:2) and later by awe-inspiring miracles (John 10:37-38).
Sadly, hardened in their hearts, amongst His own people there were very few who accepted Him (John 1:10-11) when He came for the first time till His death. However the Good News with a capital “G” is even today to those who accept Him…He gives them the right to become children of God (John 1:13) like He did 2000 years ago!
Say Reader, have you accepted Him? Then Merry, merry Christmas to you, brother!!! Merry, merry Christmas to you, sister!!!
Hallelujah! No theology should end without doxology!!!
Prayer: Father, we praise and thank Thee for giving us the Matchless Messiah!!! May we always be deeply in love with Him during this Christmas and beyond…!!! Amen and Amen
Suresh Manoharan
J and SM Ministries
(To access the other lessons in the “Four P’s of the Messiah and Beyond” mini-series, please click here.)