12/12/11- Messiah Prophesied to be a Priest

12/12- Day 16- Light the first 3 candles (the third is the pink/joy candle).
 The Messiah shall be a Priest- Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 3:1

⁴The LORD hath sworn and will not repent: "Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:4)

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.  (Hebrews 3:1).

(Jesus the Savior- St. Catherine’s Monastery Mt. Sinai)

Thoughts: John Calvin summarized the work of Christ as prophet, priest and king- the three anointed offices in the Old Testament.  Jesus brought all three together which is not easily done.  David was a prophet who wrote many Psalms and a king, but not a priest.  Uzziah was a king who tried to be a priest and received leprosy for overstepping his bounds.  But Jesus is all three.  Yesterday’s devotion spoke of his being a prophet, and tomorrow’s of his being king. Hebrews speaks eloquently on the priesthood of Christ.  A priest is a mediator between human beings and God.  The priest prayed for the people (interceding for them), while He sacrificed for them to reconcile them to God.  But the priest also spoke to the people about God.  Christ is the ultimate high priest for He is both God and human.  He understands both and brings both together. The ultimate sacrifice He made was not of many animals but the ultimate sacrifice of Himself on the cross to pay for our sins.  Luke’s genealogy (supposedly through Mary) goes back to Levi the father of priests (3:29).  While Hebrews points out He is a priest forever and ever of the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:6).  He is a priest not only to the Jews, but also to any who would believe in Him.  This advent we should remember that Christ came to build a bridge for us to God as His priestly work.

Prayer: Forgive me and my family of our sins this advent Lord.  Grant us a clean heart and peace with God and each other.