Jesus Christ fulfills the offices of prophet, priest, and king in a unique and perfect way. As prophet, He perfectly reveals God and His truth to humanity. As priest, He offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for human sin. And as king, He rules justly over God’s people and will one day return to judge the world and rule over a restored creation.
Jesus as Prophet
A prophet in the Bible is someone who speaks and acts on God’s behalf, revealing His truth and will to humanity. Jesus fulfilled this role during His earthly ministry in an ultimate sense (Hebrews 1:1-2). He perfectly revealed God’s character and ways to us:
“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18).
“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49).
Some key ways Jesus fulfilled the prophetic office include:
- He boldly proclaimed the Word of God and kingdom of God.
- He exposed people’s sinful thoughts and behaviors.
- He performed miracles that demonstrated God’s power and compassion.
- He confrontingly rebuked hypocrisy and false teaching.
- He accurately predicted future events related to Himself, His followers, Jerusalem, and the end times.
Deuteronomy 18:15 refers to a coming prophet like Moses, which Jesus fulfilled. He is considered the final and greatest Prophet who has fully revealed God to humanity (Luke 7:16; 24:19; John 4:19; 6:14; 7:40).
Jesus as Priest
Priests in the Bible served as mediators between God and human beings. They represented God to the people through teaching and offered sacrifices to atone for sin. Jesus fulfilled the role of Priest perfectly and completely (Hebrews 3-10).
Jesus mediated a new, better covenant between God and humanity (Hebrews 8:6-13). He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice that actually atones for human sin once for all:
“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12).
Key ways Jesus fulfills the priestly office include:
- He offered Himself as the perfect, final sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 9:11-10:18).
- He presently intercedes for believers before the Father in heaven (Romans 8:34).
- He represents believers to God as our merciful and faithful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17-18).
- He sympathizes with human weakness and temptations (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Jesus is superior to the old covenant priests in that His sacrifice actually accomplishes redemption and He continues to minister for us eternally in God’s presence (Hebrews 7-8). He is now the one mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).
Jesus as King
Kings in the Bible had authority to rule over God’s people. Jesus fulfills this role as the promised descendant of David who would reign forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). He rules eternally as the sovereign King over God’s kingdom and all creation.
When Jesus began His public ministry, He proclaimed the arrival of God’s kingdom (Mark 1:14-15). He is the King who was rejected by the world (John 1:10-11) and crucified under the title “King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37). But God exalted Him and gave Him the name above all names (Philippians 2:9). Christ now rules from heaven over a kingdom that will never end (Luke 1:32-33).
Key ways Jesus fulfills the kingly office:
- He rules over all creation as its rightful Lord (Matthew 28:18; John 3:35; 13:3).
- He reigns over a spiritual kingdom of those who trust in Him (Colossians 1:13-14).
- He governs the New Covenant people of God and possesses all authority (Matthew 28:18-20).
- He will return one day to judge the world and rule over a restored creation (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-22:5).
Jesus currently reigns from heaven at the Father’s right hand and one day every knee will bow before Him as universal King (Philippians 2:10-11). He fulfills the offices of prophet, priest, and king in a full and perfect way to bring salvation, reconciliation, and restoration to God’s creation.
Jesus as the Perfect Fulfillment of These Roles
What is unique about Jesus fulfilling these Old Testament leadership offices? In what ways does He fill these roles perfectly?
Fully reveals God. As the promised Prophet and God’s Son, Jesus fully reveals God’s character and will to humanity. He makes God known to us as never before (John 1:14-18; 14:7-11; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:1-3).
Provides complete atonement for sins. As the great High Priest, Jesus offers Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that fully pays for human sin. His death redeems all who trust in Him (Romans 3:21-26; Hebrews 9:11-10:18).
Rules justly and eternally. As the heir to David’s throne, Jesus reigns eternally over an unshakeable kingdom. He rules justly in holiness, wisdom, and love as the true Lord of lords and King of kings (Psalm 45:6-7; Revelation 19:16).
Holds these roles simultaneously. Jesus is the only person in history to rightfully hold the roles of prophet, priest, and king all at the same time. His unique, sinless nature makes this threefold office possible.
Mediates a better covenant. Jesus establishes a New Covenant superior to the old, temporary covenant between God and Israel. His blood brings forgiveness and new life (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8:6-13).
Possesses universal authority. Jesus alone holds universal authority over heaven and earth as Head of the church and Lord of all creation (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20-23).
Brings God’s promised redemption. Jesus fulfills God’s promises to redeem mankind, defeat evil, restore creation, and establish His righteous kingdom on earth (Isaiah 9:6-7; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 21:1-5).
No other prophet, priest, or king compares to Jesus Christ. He executes these leadership roles in a unique, perfect, and complete way. Jesus reveals, represents, and rules on behalf of God like no one else can or has. He alone can bring us back to God.
The Implications of Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King
Understanding that Jesus fills the Old Testament offices of prophet, priest, and king has important implications for how we relate to Him today. What does Christ being our Prophet, Priest, and King mean for you and me?
As Prophet, He is the source of all truth. We must look to Jesus’ words above all else if we want to know God and walk in truth. His teachings in Scripture guide us to godly living and true wisdom (John 14:6).
As Priest, He is the source of all forgiveness. We can boldly approach God’s throne because Jesus’ sacrifice has removed our guilt and given us righteousness (Hebrews 4:14-16).
As King, He is the source of all authority. We submit to Jesus’ lordship and kingdom. His commands take priority over every earthly authority (Acts 5:29; Colossians 1:13-14).
We must relate to Him as Prophet, Priest, and King. Following Jesus means embracing Him as the Christ, God’s Anointed One, in all His offices. We must know His teaching, trust His sacrifice, and obey His rule.
He deserves our attentive listening, grateful worship, and joyful obedience. Jesus has supreme rights over our intellect, conscience, and will. We devote all we are to Him.
His threefold office guarantees the blessings of salvation. As our Prophet, Priest, and King, Jesus powerfully saves us from ignorance, guilt, and tyranny through His truth, atonement, and sovereignty.
All of Christ is good news for mankind. Jesus filling these Old Testament roles means God kindly reveals Himself, graciously forgives sins, and wisely governs His restored creation.
Recognizing Jesus as the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King prompts joy, faith, obedience, and purpose. We have hope because our Prophet reveals truth, our Priest reconciles with God, and our King brings righteousness and justice.
Jesus Continues These Roles Now and Forever
It is important to understand that Jesus continues to fill these roles right now and will keep doing so for eternity. His work as Prophet, Priest, and King spans from His earthly life, to the present day, to the future restoration of all things.
Jesus is now our heavenly Prophet – He continues to teach us through the Holy Spirit illuminating Scripture (John 14:26; 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13).
Jesus is now our heavenly Priest – He lives to forever intercede for believers before the Father as our advocate (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:24-25; 1 John 2:1).
Jesus is now the sovereign King – He rules over His kingdom and subjects His enemies under His control until He returns to judge and restore creation (1 Corinthians 15:25-28; Philippians 2:9-11).
Jesus will fulfill these roles perfectly in eternity – He will teach us truth face-to-face, be the radiant glory of heaven where we dwell with God, and reign forever over the new creation.
Though rejected by the world and crucified, Jesus now rules as cosmic King and continues His ministry for us. One day “at the name of Jesus every knee [will] bow and every tongue confess He is Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11).
Until then, we must submit to Him daily as our Prophet, Priest, and King – embracing His teaching, trusting His sacrifice, obeying His rule, and spreading His gospel. Our lives revolve around who Jesus is and what He came to do.
Conclusion
Jesus fulfills the Old Testament offices of prophet, priest, and king in a full and final way. As Prophet, He fully reveals God and His truth. As Priest, He offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. And as King, He justly rules God’s kingdom and will restore all creation. No one else holds these roles so completely or exercises them so benevolently. Understanding Jesus in light of these roles shapes how we know, approach, and relate to God. We must respond by knowing His teaching, trusting His sacrifice, obeying His rule, and spreading His gospel. Jesus is the Christ – God’s Anointed One – who wonderfully saves and reigns as our eternal Prophet, Priest, and King.
