Advent 2023: Expectations "Priest"
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A Psalm of David. The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
Let us Pray. Kids you are dismissed.
Welcome back to our Advent Series titled Expectations: Prophet, Priest, King, and Shepherd.
We call this series, and this season, Advent because of the meaning behind the word.
Advent means the arrival. Specifically of a notable person, thing or event.
Expectations, because of the expectations of who this notable person would be.
Of course in Christianity, Advent is the arrival of the Messiah, the Christ, the one who would be our Savior.
This arrival is one of great anticipation and great expectation.
Christmas is certainly a season of great expectation, but what we mean by titling the series expectations is this:
As we look into Scripture, we find that there are clear roles that this coming Messiah would carry out for His people.
There were clear expectations that would be fulfilled in the form of offices, roles, and titles.
This is different than the promises and prophecies throughout the Old Testament that are fulfilled in the New Testament.
While those are of course incredibly important, our focus in this series will be to look at four of the roles Christ fulfills, embraces, and accomplishes.
The four roles are: prophet, priest, king, and shepherd.
Now, many prophets have been sent to God’s people, but Christ will come and be the true Prophet.
Yes, many priests have served God’s people, but Christ will come and be the true Priest.
Yes, many kings have ruled God’s people, but Christ will come and be the true King.
And yes, many shepherds have led God’s people, but Christ will come and be the true Shepherd.
Each of these roles has a particular beauty and glory to it, so we’ll spend one week one each one.
Last week, we began by looking at the Messianic anticipation that the Messiah would be not just a Prophet.
But, THE Prophet.
We also examined the expectations on Messiah versus the Expectations we have of ourselves and others.
What we discovered is this: While others fail to meet our expectations all the time, and we fail the expectations we set for ourselves.
This anticipated One, would meet and exceed every expectation.
The true and better Prophet would be the ultimate prophet.
Speaking on Behalf of God, the words of God, and declaring the meaning of past events and telling us the future with 100% accuracy.
This morning we are moving from Prophet to now focus our attention on the title, office, and role of Priest.
In order to discover all the riches of the Messiah’s Priestly role, we will have to go treasure hunting.
And who does not like a good treasure hunt!
We will embark on a mission like Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones or more recently Tom Holland in Uncharted.
We will hunt for clues found in the Old Testament,
We will see how it matches up in the New Testament, as both will serve as our map.
We will search high and low to discover a chest of revelation that is of immeasurable value.
This will require us to be diligent and focused, but the reward will be worth the effort.
There may be moments that you want to check out, or times when you may feel lost.
But, if you are diligent, if you are focused, if you are determined.
In the end, we will discover some of the most profound and incredible realities that Scripture declares.
So let us begin here, with what we imagine a Priest to be.
What do you think of when you think of a Priest?
Those anticipating the Messiah had the same question asked of them.
Everyone had their own opinion, their own ideas, their own thoughts.
When you think of a priest do you think of clothes or do you think of role?
Do you think of confessions, or do you think of an office?
Do you think of current priests or Levite priests, or something different?
Perhaps the word priest bring up other religions in your mind?
Today, we are going to look for a true and better priest, a greater priest, a forever priest.
We will also embark and an expedition of sorts through the Bible as we seek to discover these truths.
Our ultimate goal, is that by the end, we will be all the more excited and encouraged by the Advent of the Messiah.
We will also see how the Messiah is not just a Priest, but our Priest.
The reward will be worth the journey.
I’m excited to share this all with you so let us open our Bibles to the middle, to Psalm 110
or just type Psalm 110 into your electronic device.
Which isn’t nearly as satisfying as opening to the middle, but to each their own.
And let us begin our search for the Messiah as Priest.
In verse 4 we see King David write these words as a Psalmist.
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
What is David talking about?
Who is David talking about?
What is an order of Melchizedek?
Our first step in answering these questions is to see the Psalm in its context.
That means beginning not in verse 4, but in verse 1.
So let us backtrack to the beginning.
The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
First, we must note that this is a Psalm from King David.
It is very important to note this because what David says is absolutely shocking.
But, can we be sure that this was David? If it isn’t, it changes the entire meaning.
If we look to the New Testament and to Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, We can be given assurance of this very point.
Peter says:
For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’
Peter quotes this Psalm and declares David to be the author.
Which settles it for me.
However, we can continue our investigative work by asking Jesus Himself to see what He declares.
When being questioned by the Pharisees, He brings up Psalm 110 and who does He give credit to? The Holy Spirit and...
David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’
Therefore, we can have assurance that it was David who wrote this Psalm.
And it would seem like this is very important if both Peter and Jesus quote this Psalm.
So, let’s see why it is important.
David, as the most powerful man in all of Israel, elevates someone above Himself.
This is the radical part, because a King, is the highest ranking one could be.
When we turn back to Psalm 110 verse 1 we notice the Capital LORD at the very beginning.
We are once again reminded of the covenant name of God.
This is something we should be getting very used to by now.
I want to look at it briefly in a different translation.
The New Legacy Standard Bible or LSB.
Yahweh says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I put Your enemies as a footstool for Your feet.”
The LSB uses God’s covenant name in all of the places the Hebrew has the Tetragrammaton of YHWH, where the ESV has it as Capital LORD.
David uses the Covenant name of God in the Hebrew to begin His Psalm.
This part is not very shocking, as we have learned about this in Genesis,
and it wouldn’t surprise us to see it throughout the Old Testament.
But, this next part is shocking.
Yaweh says to my Adonai in the Hebrew or The Lord says to my Lord in the English.
David is the King! There is no Lord’s above Him except the one true God.
So, who is it that David is speaking of?
David knows that while he is King, there is One still to come that would be greater.
David has been told that his descendants shall ever reign and rule on the throne, but here in our first verse,
There is One vastly greater than David whom is being spoken of.
Especially if this Lord is going to sit at the right hand of God.
This is next level for sure.
The answer to this question can only be found in the Messiah, who would be born in the line of David,
Who lived among us, died, rose, and ascended to rule at the right hand of the Father.
The New Testament believes David is speaking not of himself in Psalm 110,
but of Him whom his kingship and kingdom will be fully and finally fulfilled.
Which can only be realized through the Messiah.
Now, why does this matter for our exploration today if our goal is the Messiah as Priest?
Let’s keep reading and it will soon make sense.
The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.
We see the continuation of the rule and reign of this true and better David.
And then we come to verse 4.
Now, we have a better context to which we can understand what David is going to say next.
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
This greater David, this Greater descendant, this Messiah would be a priest, and a priest forever.
This is why we had to establish the first part, is so that when we get to this part, we will see that this is a prophecy of a coming Priest.
That the Lord, who said to David’s Lord, the Messiah, will be a Priest forever.
While that answers at least one question, it brings forth many more.
Who is Melchizedek?
What is the order of Melchizedek?
Where else do we find Melchizedek in the Old Testament?
Is this a different kind of Priest?
How is this going to help us anticipate and understand who the Messiah will be?
We will begin seeking these answers by turning to the only other spot in the Old Testament Melchizedek is mentioned.
Turn with me if you would back to Genesis, Chapter 14, beginning in verse 18.
There, we will hope to find clues to what David is speaking of.
As we travel back in time to Genesis we come to a place in the historical narrative of Abram.
His Nephew had been captured and Abram just defeated Lot’s captors and rescued him and his family.
Then the King of Sodom and the King of Salem come out to meet Abram.
It is in this scene that we have the only other mention of Melchizedek.
This is where we have to do a lot of digging in order to figure out what was meant by the Order of Melchizedek.
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)
And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
This is pretty profound because it would seem like this Kingly Priest is greater than Abram.
If Abram is going to give him a tenth of everything.
If this Priest is of such a status to be able to pronounce blessings upon Abram, this is a pretty big deal.
Yet, when it comes to Melchizedek, this is all we have.
3 verses is all we have to work with.
Melchizedek is a King, a Priest, Provides a meal, gives a blessing, and receives an offering.
However, this first verse gives us enough information to get started.
Let’s zoom into verse 18
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)
First, right off we see that Melchizedek was a Priest of the one true God.
This is the first time that priest is mentioned in the Bible.
He was not just any Priest, for any God, but a priest of God Most High.
Next we can look at the name Melchizedek to get a clue as well, as names took on greater meaning than today?.
What does Melchizedek stand for?
My guess was Mysterious, because that is absolutely true of this scene. But, that was incorrect.
The name Melchizedek is the combination of the Hebrew words “king” and “righteous,”
Making Melchizedek a righteous, kingly priest.
Who is he the King of? King of Salem.
Where is Salem?
Salem is most likely Jerusalem, Salem is part of that word.
This is all while Abraham was still Abram, which is important to know.
Salem also means peace, so He’s the King of Peace, (does this sound familiar?)
Could this King be pointing us to someone?
What is also fascinating is that Melchizedek was a priest before the priesthood was established with the Mosaic law.
This too will be very important.
So, this is Melchizedek.
That is what we have, just two very short places in the Old Testament.
1 Verse in Psalms, 3 Verses in Genesis.
But, what about the New Testament?
Now that we have done our search in the Old Testament can we find anything else about Melchizedek?
Turn with me now to the book of Hebrews in the New Testament and specifically, turn to Chapter 7.
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
That all should sound very familiar!
Because this is exactly what we just went over.
The author of Hebrews is writing a sermon and we find in chapter 7 he is going writing on Genesis 14:18-20
Looks like the author is not just writing about these verses but giving an exposition of these verses.
The author starts in Genesis 14 and he will get to Psalm 110:4.
Let’s see what all he discovers.
He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
The author digs deeper and notices how little is known about who is this Kingly Priest.
There is very little attached to him, no parents, no genealogy, no birth or death.
Does this mean this person is from God without mother for father?
Is this person still alive?
No, that is not what is being said here.
Now some scholars, with this information, believe that this is a Christophany.
This is a fancy word for the appearance of the Pre-incarnate Christ in the Old Testament.
Now in case you were not aware of this, we do believe we see Christ at several points in the Old Testament before He is born in a manger.
Probably the most famous is with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, where Christ was the 4th figure in the fire.
Anytime we see the Old Testament refer to the: Angel of the Lord, we also believe that was Christ in the Old Testament.
Is Melchizedek a Christophany? It certainly could seem like it, but no, I do not believe that is the case,
Though Melchizedek certainly points to, and is a type of Christ, and is declared that the Messiah would be in the Order of Melchizedek.
I do not believe this is the Christ, only one, like Moses, that points to Christ.
Let me explain why: Context is key.
Since this is being written to Hebrews, this wording would remind them that we do not know this information.
Thus the author is telling us we should not speculate on it.
There is a point though.
The point we must see is that this is not a temporary priesthood like the Priesthood of Aaron.
This priest will not be in the line or linage of Aaron.
The Levitical Priesthood that we normally think of when we think of Priests.
The next few verses go into the tithe that was given.
I’m going to skip over this part due to time constraints,
But the point the author is making with the tithe is to declare that the priesthood of Melchizedek is greater than the Levitical Priesthood.
So, let us now jump ahead and pick up in verse 15 of Hebrews chapter 7.
Speaking of Messiah
This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
After demonstrating the order of Melchizedek is a greater priesthood, the author says there it is even more clear when we see this Messiah rise up in this same likeness.
The messiah would not be Melchizedek, but like Melchizedek.
But let us not miss this next point because it too is an important distinction.
The Messiah would not come from the descent of Aaron or Moses who were of the tribe of Levi,
But this new priest would come from the tribe of Judah.
The Messiah would not hold this from a temporary standpoint like the Levi priests, but eternally.
Indestructible here means eternal, everlasting, the KJV says an endless life.
The author has been focusing on Genesis 14, but now watch for the tie in back to Psalm 110:4 of the Messiah.
For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
The Author of Hebrews is saying this Messiah is this forever priest, the One who is of the order of Melchizedek!
When it speaks of Order, it is speaking of linage.
The Messiah would not be in the line, order, or linage of Aaron, but of Melchizedek.
Who we saw has no line that we are aware of, which helps us see this is not the point.
The point is not birth, the point is office, the point is role, the point is title.
Now the author goes back to the comparison between the Levite Priest in comparison to the Order of Melchizedek.
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Imagine with me a debate stage:
The one defending the thesis begins and is laying out his argument with as much clarity and logic as possible.
Imagine a courtroom.
The prosecutor is trying to put forth enough evidence that the conviction would be indisputable.
In Hebrews,
The author is putting for his case as to why this is true, important, and monumental.
You may be tempted to check out, to have your brain wonder off, to not really care one way or the other.
But, let me encourage you to follow the map that I spoke of earlier that leads to our treasure.
This is what makes the adventure worthwhile and we must not miss the path we are to be led to.
The author is telling us that the law could not save.
The law was good and perfect, but it required perfection, and this couldn’t be obtained without a sacrifice.
An atonement through the blood of an animal, was a temporary relief of the guilt of sin.
But, the author tells us, on the other hand, the Priest of Melchizedek, a better hope is introduced.
A hope that will draw is near to God.
When comparing what we know about the Levitical Priesthood and the continual atonement necessary,
It is hard to imagine what could replace this priesthood, what could put an end to sin, could defeat death.
The author continues to make his case.
And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,
The Levitical Priesthood was not a forever guarantee, God did not give His oath in this way.
But to the Melchizedek priesthood He did.
God did give an oath to the order of Melchizedek.
but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ ”
That is why this Priest that is being spoken of could only be one person.
This is why the coming of this priest, though not realized in David’s time, was just as certain.
The coming of the true and better priest was not a hope as in wishful excitement.
The coming of the true and better priest was a certain hope.
What this Priest would do, would also be far greater than the Levitical Priests.
What this Priest would accomplish, would be far greater than the Levitical Priests.
Now comes the big reveal.
This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
Our Messiah, our Priest, our anticipated true and better Melchizedek has a name.
Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus is in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus is the Priest forever.
Matthew Henry states: Now the author assures them that by receiving the Lord Jesus they would have a much better high priest, a priesthood of a higher order, and consequently a better covenant, a better law and testament.
We see in this verse that Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy.
Now, in our remaining verses, we will see exactly how Jesus is the true and better Priest.
Let these next verses begin to fill your soul and excite your spirit.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.
Jesus is the greater priest because death does not end His priesthood.
The Levites could only be priests as long as they lived and then their time was over.
Jesus is our priest forever and His priesthood will never end.
This is a priesthood had no need of being handed down.
This is a priesthood that cannot be changed.
Death could not separate His title and office, matter of fact, Jesus would overcome death.
This is a permanent and forever role.
Because this is set in stone and cannot be moved, we have great assurance of the promises attached to this.
When Jesus defeated sin and conquered death, it gives us confidence that Jesus will do this on our behalf as well.
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Jesus is the greater priest because He does not temporarily forgive sins through a temporary sacrifice like the Levites.
Jesus saves to the uttermost because Jesus gives Himself as the permanent,
Once and for all time sacrifice for sin.
Where the Levites sacrifice over and over for the continual sins of the people.
Jesus would be the perfect and complete sacrifice, the true and better sacrifice.
Not only does Jesus save us and cleanse us, but we see that Jesus intercedes for us.
Jesus is our Mediator between God and us.
This is not something that Jesus does occasionally.
This is not something that is a chore for Jesus to do.
This is something He continues and graciously does on our behalf.
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
The priests would mediate on behalf of the people.
Where the Levitical Priesthood would be a temporary mediatorship,
Jesus would be the final and forever mediator on behalf of God’s children.
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
This is not only fitting but it is necessary.
None of these titles and realities would fit you and I.
Jesus is the greater Priest because Jesus is truly Holy.
Jesus is the High Priest meaning He Himself is set aside to perform the sacrifice and be the sacrifice.
He is set apart and other than any other priest.
He does not have to make atonement for Himself for He is perfect, He is innocent,
Jesus is unstained, He is separated from sinners.
Jesus is high and lifted up, exalted above the Heavens.
The goal here is for your heart to be full, for your burden to be lifted, for your praise and worship to be magnified.
The goal to hearing these truths and realities is to have your faith bolstered and your mind enlightened.
Let’s keep that going.
He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
Jesus was not a temporary sacrifice but the complete and total sacrifice.
His sacrifice did not cleanse our sins for the day or for a season,
Jesus paid for our past, our present, and our future sins.
Listen to this:
You are forgiven, you are clean, you are pure, you are righteous!
Not because of anything you have earned, not because of your status, not because of any fame, not because of anything valuable in you.
But this is your reality because of how valuable the Father’s Son truly is.
It is for His fame, for His name, for His glory.
Unlike the Levitical priests, who had to continually offer sacrifices, Jesus only had to offer His sacrifice once,
This sacrifice won eternal redemption for all who come to God through Him.
Jesus is not A way, Jesus is THE way.
Jesus, also did not need to pay for His own sins, as He is the perfect Priest.
But, for those whom He loved, He laid down His life.
For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
Where the Levite priests were weak in comparison, were temporary in comparison, were limited in capacity,
Jesus, by the oath of God, has been made perfect forever.
He’s not connected to the Line of Aaron in anyway, Levitical priesthood in any way.
But of the order of Melchizedek.
This is the superior Priesthood, this is the forever Priesthood.
Because of His resurrection, death does not interrupt His work; Jesus remains our eternal High Priest.
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Where the Mosaic law could not save, because the Levitical Priesthood could never offer perfection,
There would always be a need for a true and better, a greater than.
We needed a better priesthood—an eternal priesthood—to save us from our sins for eternity.
Jesus is that one we have been anticipating.
Jesus is that one we have been expecting.
Jesus is the treasure we have been searching for.
Jesus is the immeasurable worth we have been seeking.
Jesus is the purpose of the expedition and the great discovery of this and every age.
So, where do we go from here, what is it that we do with this revelation.
We now go forth in grace and confidence to live this life for the glory and namesake of our High Priest.
Hear these words from Hebrews chapter 4 verses 14-16
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Let us this morning go to the throne of grace with confidence.
Go before our Lord and Priest with assurance.
Grab hold of the mercy being offered and embrace the grace given.
Then we take this gift and live out of grace.
We walk because of grace.
We give because of grace.
We work because of grace.
We have confidence because of this grace.
The more we know about Jesus, the more we embrace Jesus, the more we are captivated by Jesus,
The more we will find our joy, our worship, and our reason for this life, and the next life.
We are a people of immeasurable hope because we have a sure and certain hope in Jesus our Priest.
Amen? Let us pray.