Howdy!
Sometimes these catechism questions are enough on their own to fill this morning essay. But when you consider how much is in each of the inquiries we are looking at today not causing you to miss all your morning work could be pretty tempting for a wordy preacher. That being said I am going to do my best to make brevity to be the soul of wit. When we come to talk about the offices of Christ one of the first things we need to do is define what is meant by the term “office”. We know about the “office” of the President, or Governor, or Mayor, etc… That refers to the position itself. As President the person in the office has certain responsibilities to fulfill and things to do which are unique to the job. Joe Biden has the authority to appoint judges to the Supreme Court. He does not have the authority to name as many as he wants. That’s the calling of the legislature to change the law. He can only appoint for the vacancy that exists. There are certain things in accordance with the office that are limited based on its function. A lot of the problems we have today is because the office has become malleable and has gained unchecked power it was never designed to have.
This is why it is important for the catechism to define the offices.
A similar thing is true for your employment. If you are an administrative assistant you aren’t allowed to call up the head of a plant in Phoenix and tell him the number of widgets to make that day. That isn’t your role. All persons have their place and purpose in an organization. The same is true when it comes to understanding the catechism’s Q/A’s on the different callings of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are certain things He does as King, that He doesn’t do as Priest or Prophet. Everything in its season and in its time.
Since we missed last Thursday there are four questions for this week:
Q. 23. What Offices Does Christ Execute as Our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Q. 24. How doth Christ Execute the Office of a Prophet?
A. Christ executes the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation
Q. 25. How Does Christ Execute the Office of a Priest?
A. Christ executes the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.
Q. 26. How Does Christ Execute the Office of a King?
A. Christ executes the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.
First of all take a moment and read carefully through each one. It will reward the time spent. Second, where does the catechism get the idea that there are separate offices in the first place? And why do we then need to identify them in order to apply them to the work of Christ? Well, like most things it comes straight out of the Bible. Probably the clearest negative example is King Uzziah. When he goes into the Temple to use the censor he is struck by leprosy. In 2 Chronicles 26:18 the priests try and tell him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.”
Notice the language of, “It is not for you…”. Uzziah was a king, not a priest, he had no authority to take up the elements of the old covenant for his own purpose. Only those set aside for that labor could do so, and he faced the penalty for his pride. Now, there are examples in the Old Testament where men took on more than one role. For instance Adam was the prophet, priest, and king of his home. Melchizedek was both king and priest. Moses was a king and a prophet. However, in each case there is a clear delineation between when the men named are performing each action.
The question again comes up, “Why does any of this matter?”. It’s not a bad question.
It was prophesied in Deuteronomy 18 that God would raise up a Great Prophet.
It was testified in Hebrews 6:20 that Jesus was not a priest like Aaron, but as Melchizedek, one without beginning. 1 John 1:7,2:1 and other passages show us that because He is the Great High Priest He alone is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and wash us in His own blood.
It was promised to David in 2 Samuel 7 that out of him would come a King, and that there would never be a time where He would not reign. Christ accepts this title in Matthew 27:11.
Jesus alone fulfills all of these positions in the Kingdom of God. His executing of the offices each in their own way grant us peace and assurance in our salvation. As a prophet He declares to us the Gospel truth. He shows men the way to eternal life in Himself. He calls them to repentance and warns them of the judgment to come. He freely offers this gift to all who a weary and heavy laden, who will lay down their sins at His feet and receive the blessings of eternal life. That prophetic work continues through the preaching of faithful ministers as they proclaim the good news given from above. As a priest He offers up Himself as the unblemished sacrifice to pay the penalty for Adam’s transgression and our own infinite breakings of the law. Just as His work as a prophet does not cease, His intercessions on our behalf continue even to this day. We witness this amazing grace as we take the Lord’s Supper. As a king He rules over all and calls all principalities and powers to render obedience unto Him, bringing His rod of iron down upon those who refuse to bow the knee. He also governs the Church as a loving Sovereign disciplining and discipling us into holiness. We as the people of Jesus have nothing to fear, because we rest in the presence of a benevolent and righteous Ruler of the Nations. Baptism is a sign and seal of membership in His covenant Kingdom.
There is a richness here that could never be fully mined to the satisfaction of our hearts, which is why Heaven will be filled with opportunities to see more clearly and more deeply the goodness showed to us because Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King.
Here’s a little more to whet the appetite.
https://tabletalkmagazine.com/posts/the-church-and-the-offices-of-christ-2019-09/
Blessings in His Strength,
Rev. Benjamin Glaser
Pastor, Bethany ARP Church