9.6 Summary

Lesson 9 introduces us to the profound theological significance of Christ’s role as King and Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. We explore various biblical texts, particularly Psalms and the Epistle to the Hebrews, to understand how these teachings apply to Christ.

1. Christ as King: We consider Psalm 2, which portrays Christ as the King appointed by the Father. His kingship is eternal, and ultimately, he will triumph over all enemies.

2. Christ as Priest: Psalm 110 points to Christ as the eternal Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. His priesthood is unique and of divine authority, enabling perfect reconciliation and intercession for his people.

3. The Connection of Kingship and Priesthood in Christ: Christ unites in his person the roles of King and Priest. His royal priesthood guarantees us a secure hope, as he reigns over all powers and is our constant intercessor before God.

4. The Implications of Christ’s Higher Priesthood: We examine Hebrews 7 to understand how Christ, as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, ensures our salvation and eliminates the reign of evil. His incomparable service strengthens our faith, gives us hope, and empowers us for service in his kingdom.

Overall, Lesson 9 reveals the profound significance of Christ’s role as King and Priest for our personal lives and faith. We recognize that in Christ, God’s promises are fulfilled, and we find security, hope, and empowerment in his unmatched authority and care for his people.

The lesson on Christ’s role as King and Priest according to the order of Melchizedek has a direct connection to our daily lives and our faith:

1. Hope and Comfort: The teaching of Christ as our eternal King and Priest gives us hope and comfort amidst life’s challenges. We can be assured that Christ reigns supreme over all powers and always intercedes for us.

2. Trust and Obedience: Understanding that Christ is both King and Priest requires our trust and obedience. We can rely on his rule being just and merciful and willingly follow him.

3. Prayer and Intercession: Knowing that Christ serves as our High Priest continually in the heavenly sanctuary encourages us to come to him in prayer and intercede for ourselves and others. We can be confident that our prayers are heard before God through Christ.

4. Service and Engagement: Understanding Christ’s royal priesthood motivates us to actively work for the kingdom of God and combat evil in the world. We recognize that Christ has the ultimate authority to defeat evil, and we are called to be part of his divine mission.

Overall, the teaching of Christ’s kingship and priesthood has direct implications for our daily lives and our faith, providing us with hope, comfort, trust, obedience, prayer, and engagement.

Read Psalm 110:4–7. How is Christ’s priesthood unique, and what great hope can we find in Christ’s heavenly priesthood?

Christ’s priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek is unique and crucial for our understanding of redemption and reconciliation with God. Here are some considerations:

1. An Eternal Priesthood: Unlike the Levitical priests who couldn’t perform their services indefinitely due to their limited lifespan, Christ holds an eternal priesthood. His service as High Priest never ends, meaning his intercession and mediation for us are ever-present.

2. A King-Priest: Christ combines the roles of king and priest within himself. This union symbolizes his perfect authority and unparalleled ability to rule over us while simultaneously interceding on our behalf. As king, he reigns over the universe, while as priest, he mediates between God and humanity.

3. Connection with Melchizedek: References to Melchizedek in Psalm 110 highlight the superiority of Christ’s priesthood. Melchizedek was a mysterious and unique priest-king who blessed Abraham. By associating Christ with Melchizedek, his priesthood is portrayed as superior to the Levitical priesthood.

4. Hope in Christ’s Heavenly Priesthood: The fact that Christ is our High Priest and constantly intercedes for us provides us with great hope. We can be sure that our petitions before God are heard through Christ, our mediator. His eternal priesthood means we have a permanent and reliable source of grace and forgiveness.

Overall, in Christ’s heavenly priesthood, we can find great hope. His unique and eternal priesthood ensures our mediation before God and secures for us the eternal intercession and love of our Lord and Savior.

Read Hebrews 7:20–28. What are some of the implications of Christ’s higher priesthood?

Christ’s higher priesthood, as described in Hebrews 7:20–28, has far-reaching implications for our understanding of redemption and our relationship with God. Here are some of them:

1. Superiority of the Covenant: Christ’s priesthood isn’t based on human promises or human ability but on God’s oath. As a result, his covenant has unparalleled superiority and security.

2. Service in the Heavenly Sanctuary: Unlike human priests who served in the earthly sanctuary, Christ serves in the heavenly sanctuary. This means his service isn’t affected by sin or mortality, and he’s therefore able to intercede for us and redeem us forever.

3. Perfect Atonement: Christ’s sacrifice and his service as High Priest are perfect and merciful. His atoning work gives us the enduring assurance that we can remain in God’s presence and that our sins are completely forgiven.

4. Elimination of the Reign of Evil: Christ’s royal priesthood has the power to eliminate the reign of evil in the hearts of people and in the world as a whole. His sovereign rule will subject every authority and power, and he will exercise his royal judgment over humanity.

Overall, Christ’s higher priesthood claims absolute obedience and trust from us. His unmatched service gives us hope, forgiveness, and the certainty that we are secure in his love and grace.

The teachings about Christ’s heavenly priesthood and his higher priesthood have direct implications for our daily lives and our faith:

1. Security and Hope: The certainty that Christ holds an eternal and unchanging priesthood provides us with security and hope. We can trust that his intercession for us never ceases and that his service in the heavenly sanctuary ensures our redemption, regardless of the circumstances we encounter in life.

2. Connection to God: Christ’s priesthood enables us to have an immediate connection to God. Through his perfect atoning work, we have the assurance that our sins are forgiven and that we are justified before God. This means we can come before God freely and openly to offer worship, gratitude, and supplication.

3. Strengthening of Faith: The superiority of Christ’s priesthood over human priests strengthens our faith. We can rely on Christ as our perfect High Priest, who understands us in every situation and is powerful enough to help and save us.

4. Empowerment for Service: Recognizing that Christ has eliminated the reign of evil and secured perfect reconciliation for us empowers us to serve and advance God’s kingdom on earth. We can live as witnesses for Christ in our daily lives, knowing that his royal priesthood has already won the victory.

Overall, the doctrine of Christ’s heavenly and higher priesthood firmly anchors our faith in hope, forgiveness, and empowerment through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Read Psalm 2; 110:1–3; 89:5.14–18 and 110:5–6. What do these verses convey about Jesus as King?

The examined verses from Psalms 2, 110, 89, and 110 present a powerful image of Jesus Christ as a King with unrivaled power and authority.

Psalm 2 emphasizes Jesus’ royal rule as the King appointed by the Father. His exaltation at the right hand of God displays His extraordinary honor and authority. Moreover, the psalm prophesies Christ’s ultimate victory over His enemies and the establishment of His unshakeable kingdom.

Psalm 110 underscores Jesus’ exalted position as both King and Priest. He sits at the right hand of God, wielding the scepter of divine authority. His reign will be universal, and His enemies will be subdued under His feet.

Psalm 89 acknowledges God’s faithfulness to the Davidic covenant and the promise of an eternal kingship for David’s descendants. Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate fulfillment of this promise, bringing blessing and joy to His people.

Lastly, Psalm 110:5–6 emphasizes that Jesus’ victory and reign will be accompanied by righteousness and grace. His rule is not tyrannical but full of love and mercy for those who submit to Him.

For us in the everyday life of faith, this means acknowledging Jesus as our King and obediently following Him. His reign extends not only over external circumstances but also over our hearts and wills. We can rely on His sovereign rule, even amidst life’s challenges, and look forward to the promise of His kingdom and righteousness. By trusting Him and submitting to His authority, we experience blessings and joy in our relationship with Him.

It is reassuring to know that in the end, good will triumph over evil, justice will be served, and pain and suffering will be overcome forever. In what ways should this truth comfort us now, when from a human perspective, evil seems to prosper?

The certainty that in the end, good will triumph over evil, justice will be served, and pain and suffering will be overcome forever, can offer us profound comfort in times when evil appears to prevail. Here are some ways in which this truth can provide comfort to us now:

1. Hope and Assurance: Even when faced with injustice, suffering, and wrongdoing, we can have hope and assurance that these conditions will not last forever. The promise that God’s justice will ultimately triumph can give us hope that there will be a time when suffering and injustice will come to an end.

2. Strengthening of Faith: In times of trial, the reminder that God will ultimately triumph can strengthen our faith. We can remember that God is sovereign and that nothing is beyond His control. This certainty can help solidify our faith in God and enable us to rely on Him in difficult times.

3. Comfort in God’s Presence: Even when evil seems to thrive around us, we can find comfort in the presence of God. God is with us even as we walk through deep valleys. We can hold onto His promises, knowing that He is with us and will lead us through every difficulty.

4. Encouragement to Act: The assurance that good will ultimately triumph can also encourage us to actively pursue good and resist evil. We can advocate for justice, stand up for the oppressed and marginalized, and oppose injustice and inequity, trusting that God will ultimately prevail.

Overall, the certainty that good will triumph over evil can comfort us, strengthen our hope, fortify our faith, and encourage us to actively pursue good. Even in the midst of difficulties, we can hold onto the promise that God will triumph in the end.

9.3 Forever Faithful to His Covenant

Read Psalm 89:28–33, 39–47 and 132:10–12. What is the Davidic covenant about? What appears to have jeopardized it?

The Davidic covenant, as described in Psalms 89:28–33, 39–47 and 132:10–12, is a central aspect of the biblical testimony and the history of the people of Israel. This covenant includes God’s promise to establish David’s lineage forever and to bring prosperity to His people. The durability of this covenant rests on God’s solemn oath and King David’s faithfulness to God.

However, the reality is that even faithful kings, like David, were not always faithful to God. Psalm 89 reflects the harsh reality that the glorious promises of the Davidic covenant appear to be jeopardized. The question of hopelessness arises, whether Israel has been forsaken by God. Yet the answer is clear: No!

God’s wrath, a manifestation of His divine judgment, does not last forever. His everlasting love forgives people their sins when they repent. Although God’s wrath has serious consequences for the disobedience of the people, hope still remains. This hope is grounded in the certainty of God’s faithfulness and grace.

In this hope rests the conviction that God’s unchanging purposes will be fulfilled through the Messiah. Jesus Christ, the Son of David and the Messiah, embodies all the righteousness and salvation of Israel and the entire world. Through His resurrection from the dead, He is exalted as the supreme King over the whole world.

Overall, the Davidic covenant illustrates God’s promises to His people and His unwavering faithfulness, even in times of failure and testing. The fulfillment of these promises finds its completion in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who brings hope and redemption to all humanity.

Read Colossians 1:16, 20–22. What do these verses teach us about who Jesus was and what He did for us? What promise can you take for yourself from them?

These verses teach us about the divine nature and work of Jesus Christ:

1. Creative Power: Jesus is the Creator of all things, both in heaven and on earth. He is above all that is visible and invisible, including all powers and authorities.

2. Reconciliation: Jesus has created reconciliation through His sacrifice on the cross. By His blood, He has made peace between God and humanity, overcoming the separation caused by sin. This reconciliation extends over all realms of creation, both in heaven and on earth.

3. Sanctification and Blamelessness: Through Jesus’ death on the cross, we are reconciled and brought into communion with God. This happens not only for believers but for all who believe in Jesus Christ and turn to Him. As a result, we will stand sanctified, blameless, and above reproach before God.

The promise we can draw from these verses is the certainty of reconciliation and communion with God through Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice on the cross, He has made peace and overcome the separation between God and us. By faith in Him, we can stand sanctified and blameless before God and experience His love and grace in full measure.