The Person of Christ Jesus: Our Prophet

Praise and glory to God in the highest! 
Greetings in the Glorious Name of God our Father, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit our Teacher. 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Ephesians 1:3       (NLT)

This week and the next two weeks, I will be sharing the roles Jesus has in our lives as His followers: Prophet, King, and Priest.  I pray you are encouraged and strengthened as you continue to grow in your knowledge and love of God our Father, Christ Jesus our Lord and Holy Spirit our Comforter.

Colossians 1:11-23, Hebrews 1:1-14

There are many things Jesus has done and will do for us.  If, we were to make a list it would be huge.  We, all together, could fill quite a volume of text explaining what Jesus has and continues to do for us.  There are three major roles Jesus has in our lives, these roles are what gives Him the authority to affect our lives in such transformational ways and allows us to make a large list of things He does. Jesus, the Messiah, clearly indicates that he was anointed or consecrated (Hebrews 1:8-9) to his great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his people.  Jesus is to be known by us as Prophet, Priest (High Priest) and King, the world on the other hand does not and cannot know Him as such. 

Christ Jesus the Great Prophet
To help clarify the office of prophet here is an explanation: In Hebrew the word nabi (naw-bee'), which from a root meaning "to bubble forth, as from a fountain," thus "to utter", as “the inspired man.” This Hebrew word is the first and the most generally used for a prophet. (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

There are several other words used to express a prophet’s function.  In the time of Samuel another word, ro'eh ‎(raw-aw') "to see", began to be used (1 Samuel 9:9). It occurs seven times in reference to Samuel. Afterwards another word, chozeh (kho-zeh'), "beholder of vision" (2 Samuel 24:11), was employed. In 1 Chronicles 29:29 all these three words are used: "Samuel the seer (ro'eh), Nathan the inspired (nabi'), Gad the “vision holder" (chozeh). In Joshua 13:22 Balaam is called, in Hebrew, a kosem (kaw-sam) "diviner," a word used only for a false prophet. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) and (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary)

The "prophet" proclaimed the message given to him, as the “inspired” "seer" who saw the vision of God (Numbers 12:6,8.). Therefore, a prophet was a spokesman for God; he spoke in God's name and by his authority (Exodus 7:1). The prophet is the way that God speaks to people (Jeremiah 1:9; Isaiah 51:16), and thus, what the prophet says is not of man but of God (2 Peter 1:20-21; compare Hebrews 3:7; Acts 4:25; 28:25). Prophets were the immediate mouth piece of God for the communication of his mind and will to people (Deuteronomy 18:18-19). (Easton’ Bible Dictionary)

The whole Word of God, in this general sense, most be considered prophetic, because as it was written by men who received the revelation they communicated from God, regardless of what life topic: moral. ethical, government, life today, life eternal it is all covered. A prophet is a person speaking for God, declaring God’s mind and will to people.  As for the prophet foretelling future events, it was not necessary for the prophetic office to tell the future, it was always a minor task. 

The great task assigned to the prophets whom God raised up among the people was "to correct moral and religious abuses and proclaim the great moral and religious truths which are connected with the character of God, and which lie at the foundation of His glorious Kingdom." (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

Our Lord and Savior is frequently spoken of as a prophet in the Scriptures (Luke 13:33; 24:19). He was, is, and always will the great Prophet for the Church.  He speaks truth that brings clarity into the life of those called God’s children. He brings transformation to the way we are to understand all the laws and prophets of old. Jesus brings perfect understanding of moral and religious truths that are the very character of God. 

The many times Jesus taught about the Kingdom of Heaven, helps us to know at the very core of our being the Truths, Ways, and Life of who we are, what we live by, and how we interact with those He is drawing to Himself.

Jesus is the perfect representation of God’s voice; Jesus is and always will be the prefect representation of God’s character. Jesus proclaims the mind and will of God in all the Scriptures; giving for us truths that we live by today and Jesus even tells us of the things and times to come. Oh, that our hope is strengthened as we anticipate His coming again and our eternal life with God in heaven. God the Father, sent God the Son, Jesus the perfect representation of who He is to proclaim truth, that all may come to the same saving understanding that eternal life is real in and through our Great Prophet, Christ Jesus the Messiah and Him alone. 

As our Prophet, it is essential that we listen to what Jesus says through the Word and what He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

 "There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now.  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.  He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.  All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.' John 16:12-15

Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven and gives us clarity to live out Kingdom life.  We have all the instructions and applications we need, as Jesus speaks the mind, heart, and will of God into our lives.  We have all we need to be transformed into the Church, God’s Children, God’s People…

All Praise and Glory to God!

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.  Colossians 1:11-14 (NLT)
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More Scriptures proclaiming Jesus as a prophet.
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Matthew 13:53-58
Luke 24:19-21
Acts 3:17-23

NOTE: In New Testament times the prophetical office is continued. There is a distinct order of prophets (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5. 4:11-13). They differed from the "teacher," whose office it was/is to impart truths already revealed.

Bibliography 
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Electronic Database Copyright © 1996, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers
Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.
Meet the Rabbis: Rabbinic Thought and Teachings of Jesus, Brad H. Young ©2007, Baker Publishing Company.
A Primer on the Empowering Works of the Holy Spirit, Philip J. Noordmans © 2018, Kindle Direct Publishing.