1st November 2024

1st November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Hebrews 1:1-3)


Message (Alan Burke)


Today we are thinking of one aspect of the munus triplex. That’s the Latin for the threefold office of Christ for he is our Prophet, Priest and King. If you are wondering about those things then you really need to start reading the Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC) bit at the bottom as well as the devotion for it is one of the best discipleship tools available for you to grow in your knowledge and love of the Lord and Scott and I agree on that and in the WSC it deals with the threefold office, how Jesus is our Prophet, Priest and King. Today we are thinking of how Christ is our Prophet. Well the term “prophet” means one who speaks on behalf of another, one who declares, announces (nabû) on behalf of another. Prophets were expected to act and speak on the behalf of the one who sent them as if the king or ruler was there observing, watching and listening to all they said and in agreement with it. Speaking on behalf of the one who sent them that was based on what he already knew to be sure, what he already had knowledge off. 


When we hear of the prophets of God, it was not them speaking their own views, desires, wishes, they weren’t making new decrees, new laws, changing policies that were already settled positions, for they were there speaking as God’s representatives. Scripture makes it clear that …prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit is the source of prophecy, enabling the prophets to speak and write as God’s representatives and deliver His infallible, inerrant Word (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:10–12). No biblical prophecy was ever produced merely because a man wanted to prophesy (by the will of man). The prophecy in Scripture was given only by God through men, who “spoke” as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 


How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet? He does so “in revealing to us by his Word and Spirit, the will of God.” (WSC24)  The list of Scriptures provided gives witness to the written and living Word used in tandem with the ministry of the Holy Spirit to communicate the mind and will of God. Jesus is the fulfilment of the prophetic ministry of the Old Testament. He declared judgment and salvation, and for it, he was rejected, too. The difference, of course, is that the prophets who came before him spoke of another, while Jesus speaks of himself. There is thus a finality in Christ’s ministry as the prophet who cannot now be surpassed. In the past God spoke through the prophets, and but now he has spoken through his Son (Heb 1:1–2). 


There will not be greater prophets than Jesus, and since Jesus’ prophetic ministry is definitive and clear, no further prophetic ministry can add to his ministry. For if anyone seeks a prophet after Christ, it is to answer Jesus’s words “It is finished” with “No, I don’t think so Jesus.” And we do not wish to be wiser than God. It is because of this that the author of Hebrews would write, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high..." (Heb 1:1-2)


This passage from the book of Hebrews confronts us with how the Lord God throughout human history has been active and involved, he had spoken in many times and many ways, revealing himself with his sovereign word throughout the ages. He did not reveal all about himself at one time, he didn’t simply hand Adam and Eve his autobiography, or a guide book, with all that they needed to know, instead the revelation of himself was progressive, revealing more of himself in stages, throughout the history of his people and that is now done for Jesus has come. There have been people though who claim to have a new revelation of God, who are new prophets, there are those who claim that God speaks directly to them, but Jesus Christ is the final word. Who would ever dare try to add to such a divine, such a complete, such a beautiful revelation of God, only a fool, or a servant of the devil!?


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q 24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.
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