Postby RamboPreacher » June 22nd, 2008, 4:25 pm
I believe that in order to "fulfill righteousness" (and prophecy); the threefold office was being exemplified.
Prophet, Priest and King. In this threads subject matter - the baptism, as a ritualistic bath was prerequisite in being priest.
"where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek," (Heb. 6:20).
In Old Testament Israel, the priest offered the sacrifices to God, on behalf of the people. In this sense, the priest mediated the sacrifices, whereby the people of Israel could be cleansed of their sins. Jesus is the Priest after the order of Melchizedek, and He offered up Himself as the sacrifice.
Jesus "...does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself," (Heb. 7:27).
In the Old Testament, the priest offered up sacrifices of slain animals, birds, or grains, etc. Jesus is unlike those sacrifices. He did not offer animals, birds, or grains. He offered up Himself.
Because He is God in flesh, His sacrifice is perfect, and of infinite value. Because it is of infinite value, and because Jesus is God in flesh, He always lives forever, to intercede on our behalf: "Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them," (Heb. 7:25).
Therefore, we have a Priest who intercedes for us, forever.
Thanks, Brent "RamboPreacher" Hoefling