Tuesday, 28 January 2020

Both King and Priest

Tweet

Is Hebrews 5:7 in your Bible? If it is, (and it is) can we say we understand it and believe it?

Answer: Hebrews 5:7 "In the days of His (Yeshua's) life on earth, Yeshua offered up both prayers and pleas, with loud crying and tears, to the One able to save Him from death; and He was heard because of His reverence."

This raises some questions. If Yeshua is God, why does He need to cry out loud with tears? Did Yeshua need salvation? The Bible seems to say He did.

Rabbi Trail: How did this happen, Yeshua crying out loud with tears? This didn't just happen by chance. Rather we believe everything has a purpose founded in the will of God. That's not to say we, ourselves, cannot act (or make decisions) in a way contrary to God's will. But when we do, God can use our bad decisions to draw us closer to Himself.

There is another possibility. Satan is also an influencer. However; the same is true of him. He is also subject to God. Therefore; God can also use Satan's ungodly influence to draw us closer to Himself. If we respond favorably to grace, we will rise up and find ourselves closer to the cross. End RT.

The writer of Hebrews (an unnamed Messianic Rabbi) is making the case that Yeshua is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek is contrasted with Moses' brother, Aaron, who was the first High Priest.

Melchizedek is a name made from two Hebrew words, Melech (King) and Tzedek (righteous), meaning "a righteous King." But wait, I thought we're making the case for Yeshua's priesthood. The Bible teaches, and the rabbis have always known, that the Messiah is a unique blend of a Royal (Kingly) Priesthood.

First, Israel is called to be a royal priesthood to God. Exodus 19:6a "So as for you, you will be to Me a kingdom of kohanim and a holy nation." But when Israel could not attain to it, God sent His Son. Galatians 4:4-8 "But when the fullness of time came, God sent out His Son, born of a woman and born under law - to free those under law, so we might receive adoption as sons. Now because you are sons, God sent the Ruach of His Son into our hearts, who cries out, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son - and if a son, also an heir through God."

God has brought us into His kingdom through His Son. (Rejoice). Through His Son, God is raising up a people who were not a people (both Jewish and non-Jewish) to become the bride at the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Lamb of God has already been sacrificed, then resurrected (saved from second death). He will be both King and Priest and it is our destiny to rule and reign with Him. (Revelation 20:4)