John Stott describes the threefold office of Christ, as prophet, king, and priest. I see these offices as corresponding to the past, future, and present ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the prophet of God, Christ is the final, last, and definitive voice of God (see Hebrews 1:1-2). And although Christ spoke God's final words 2000 years ago, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, he still speaks to us through the holy scriptures.
As for the office of kingship, Jesus is at the present time exalted and seated at the right hand of God the Father, until the Father brings all of his enemies under his feet (see Psalm 2). Then Jesus will return to the earth as King of all kings and Lord of all lords. This is a future reality, although at the present time, he reigns as King and Lord in the hearts of all who believe.
But the office of priesthood, in which Christ intercedes for us, is a present ministry of our Lord. Whatever inadequacies we may feel when we pray, we need to know that Christ intercedes for us before our heavenly Father. It is not the perfection or the legitimacy of our requests that is decisive, but that Jesus Christ knows our weakness and died to save us and therefore his intercessory ministry is an extension of his perfect love for us. This is very, very comforting, knowing that the Savior who died for my sins, is now defending and advocating for my good before the Father in heaven. So let us pray on and let us come boldly before the throne of grace holding true to the words of Jesus in John 16:23, "I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name... Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
Posted by Pastor James
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2 comments:
After reading your post, I thought about what it means for Jesus to intercede on my (our) behalf.
Sometimes, I feel my sin is so great that something like this is so unimaginable. I think it comes as a natural after effect of trying to limit Jesus in our own human experience. Because no matter how much we as humans may say we love someone, there is a threshold that can be reached where such love or grace may end.
I hope I'm being clear. Honestly speaking, this aspect of Christianity is the hardest part for me to really come to terms with. Not because it's difficult to understand, it's just really difficult to accept.
I always catch my mind telling myself, "after so many times, you have finally crossed the line" or "how could God still keep loving/ forgiving me?"
Grace so free and plentiful is hard to swallow, at least for me. Sometimes, good news is really hard to take.
An example is when my mom and sister paid off all my credit card debt this past week out of the blue. It was out of love and to relieve stress that they did such a generous thing.
But I find myself feeling worse, not joyful which accompanies the constant need to do something to pay them back. I see myself at times being withdrawn instead of open and thankful.
I know this is a long comment but your post brought up a lot of thoughts inside of me.
I know the enemy is working hard to separate me from God's love but I am still comforted that despite all of this, Jesus still loves me completely, which to me is almost scandalous.
It's a really tough message and a tough struggle.
everyone can relate to dave's comment about how amazing, how longsuffering God's mercy and grace is towards us. it is a such a constant temptation to measure our standing with God based on our performance.
i have found hebrews 6:13-20 to be a text filled to overflowing with assurance for anyone who feels him or her self to be the worst of sinners.
the heading of this passage is "the certainty of God's promise". the writer of hebrews points out that God's promises to abraham were based not on abraham's performance or obedience (or lack thereof), but on God's own self, God's own "unchanging nature".
in verse 18, the writer of Hebrews states: "God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie (His oath and Himself), we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged."
v.19 says "we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
the book of hebrews is replete with exhortations not to give up on this assurance. it is the very foundation of the Christian life. many, i'm sure, overwhelmed by their failures and their own dismal performances; overcome by their lack of faith in this promise of forgiveness, will grow faint and eventually fall away from the faith.
May it be said of all of us at ODM that we "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful". (Hebrews 10:23)
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