26/02/10

Christ Jesus the Apostle and High Priest

Hebrew 3:1 - Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

In today's scripture Christ Jesus has been called Apostle in other scriptures He is also referred to as Prophet, Teacher etc., He has also been called a High Priest.

We need to understand that Christ Jesus held two offices one of authority and the other of priesthood. The office of authority is to do with callings and in Him is all the callings. Leaving Christ Jesus all those who are called unto this office have single calling in their lives and this is given by the Lord and cannot be changed ever.

If you notice Paul uses the name 'Christ Jesus' instead of 'Jesus Christ', he does so because callings are to do with Christ. The number associated with Christ is 7 and like I told you before the whole Bible (both Old and New) is based on the number 7 which is Christ.

The 7 Spirits of the Lord is to do with Christ in Whom are the 7 callings. Christ is the Head and in Him alone are all the callings, everyone else called unto this office would have 1 of the other 6 callings.

Christ the Head
Apostle
Prophet
Teacher
Evangelist
Administrator
Healer

Even if they call do all things yet their calling will be one; which will be prominent over all others.

Since it is a calling of authority it has a hierarchy, but like worldly order over here the top is the servant of the person below. He needs to serve the purpose of all those below him. Therefore Jesus called Himself the Servant of all.

The office of a Priest is to do with the works of the Tabernacle / Temple / Sanctuary. Jesus Christ knew which is the real Sanctuary and therefore did not get connected to any monument or structure but with the people the earthly Body and with the Heavenly Body. Even after His death and resurrection He continues His office of High Priest and therefore said 'I go to prepare a place for you'.

A Priest prepares and maintains the Temple and therefore all who are believers in Jesus Christ are called Priest, because each and everyone may not be called to prepare the congregation but all have to prepare and keep the sanctuary which is themselves.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord Jesus, You are our Head and it is You Who showed us the way to the Father and also became an example for us. You are the Head Servant and help us to be a servant like You. Bring your people to work in the Heavenly way You have shown and instructed us, so that the Body be glorified here on earth as well as in Heaven...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Zechariah 6:9-13
9 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
10 Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;
11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;
12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Isaiah 11:1-2
1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Colossians 1:17-19
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Hebrew 2:14-17
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

John 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)