The Roles of Jesus

Articles

Derek Long
10/11/20 - Jesus

The Roles of Jesus By Derek Long

The President of the United States of America plays several different roles in his position as president. In a similar way, the Bible speaks about several different roles Jesus fulfills. Let’s examine some of the roles Jesus is said to be in throughout the Bible. • Jesus is said to be a high priest. Psalm 110:4 speaks prophetically of Jesus and says, “The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’” (NKJV). The book of Hebrews emphasizes the role Jesus plays as our high priest under the New Covenant in several passages (Hebrews 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:1-11; 6:20-8:6; 9:11; 10:21). As a High Priest, Christ has offered a sacrifice for our sins. As a High Priest, Christ is our Mediator between God and us. As a High Priest, Christ is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Somewhat connected with Jesus’ role as a High Priest may be His role as our Advocate and the One who makes intercession for us (1 John 2:1; Romans 8:34). • Jesus is said to be a king. Throughout the Old Testament, priests in Israel came from the tribe of Levi. However, kings typically would come from another tribe. The tribe of Judah was going to have the scepter until Shiloh came according to Genesis 49:10 which is fulfilled in David’s descendants ruling over the southern kingdom of Judah, etc. Eventually Jesus came who was of the seed of David (Matthew 1:1). He would come as the One who would sit on the throne of David forever in fulfillment of the promises made to David (Luke 1:31-33; 2 Samuel 7:12-16). Jesus would be king over a kingdom which would never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14). Jesus’ kingdom is not physical in its nature but spiritual. Jesus Himself said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36, NKJV). He taught, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation … For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21, NKJV). The kingdom Jesus would reign over would have as its territory not some geographical region but He would reign over the hearts of men and women. Jesus is greater than any earthly king. Revelation 1:5 speaks of Him as, “the ruler over the kings of the earth” (NKJV). Revelation 17:14 says He is, “Lord of lords and King of kings” (NKJV). As king, Jesus possesses all authority (Matthew 28:18). • Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God. John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36). As lambs in the Old Testament were used as sacrifices, Christ came to give Himself as a sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10:1-18; 13:10-12). He is referred to as our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7). He gave himself to deliver us from sin. • Jesus is spoken of as a Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Acts 3:22-26). Jesus spoke forth the word of God (John 7:16). Jesus revealed to us the New Covenant as Moses was the one through whom God revealed the Old Covenant. Jesus must be listened to and obeyed because His message originates with God. Hebrews 1:1-2 reminds us God, “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (NKJV). • Jesus is the Son of God. Perhaps one of the greatest proofs of Jesus being the Son of God is His resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4). Many people in the world acknowledge Jesus to be a good moral teacher and maybe even a prophet but will not confess Him to be the Son of God. Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 16:13-17). The Ethiopian eunuch confessed Jesus to be the Son of God (Acts 8:37). Believing Jesus is the Son of God is essential to us being saved (John 20:30-31). • Jesus is God manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16; John 1:14). Jesus is referred to by the term Immanuel which means God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23). Jesus was not simply a man but He is God. Jesus was present at the beginning, He is eternal, He is the One by which all things were created (Colossians 1:16-17). • Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18). Jesus gives His life for the sheep as a good shepherd would do. Jesus knows His sheep and His sheep know Him and listen to His voice (John 10:27). Jesus is not simply a Good Shepherd for Jews but for Gentiles as well (John 10:16). Other passages speak of Jesus in His role as a Shepherd (1 Peter 2:25; 5:4). • Jesus is the one who will judge us on the final day. John 5:22-23, 26-27 says, “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him … For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man” (NKJV). 2 Corinthians 5:10 reminds us, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (NKJV). Jesus has given His life in order that we can be saved but if we reject His sacrifice we will be judged by Him on the Last Day. There may be other roles you can think of Jesus fills but these are some of the roles we see Him being in according to the Bible. Hopefully this helps us to understand who Jesus is better and what He does on our behalf!