Jesus as Prophet

Portraits of Jesus 

Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Acts 3:17-26

 

Isaiah 53:5 

 

In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel was led by three distinct kinds of people: prophets, priests, and kings. Each of these roles was separate from one another. One man rarely wore more than one title. That’s why it’s so important to understand that Jesus is all three.  Old Testament prophets (like Elijah, Jeremiah, and Isaiah) were spokesmen for God; they related the message from God to the people.  The Old Testament however, predicted that God would raise up one special Prophet who would be like Moses, and that is Jesus.

 

Jesus is “our chief Prophet and Teacher, who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption.”                                                                                    -The Heidelberg Catechism

 

“After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”                                                                                                                        John 6:14 

 

In between the Old Testament and the New Testament there was a period of 400 years of silence when there was in Israel 

 

John 1:21 

 

Matthew 7:28, 29 

 

People identified Jesus as “” in John 6:14 and 7:40

 

John 5:46

 

Acts 3:22, 23

 

Matthew 23:37 

 

John 5:39

 

Luke 24:25-27

 

is not the most important function of the biblical prophet. 

 

The real function of the prophet was to speak the . 

 

Jesus was more than a prophet of God, He was God .  

 

1.    We can’t claim ignorance about . (vv. 17, 18)

 

Proverbs 11:3 

 

2.    God calls us to respond to Him .  (vv. 19, 20)

 

 

“Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ . . . willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” 

-Martin Luther

 

 

3.    We can rest and rejoice in the knowledge that God has revealed 

 

Himself to us and has promised us to we were created for.  (v. 21)

 

 

“Praise Him for the incarnation,

for the word made flesh.

I will not sing of shepherds

watching flocks on frosty nights,

or angel choristers.

I will not sing of a stable bare in Bethlehem,

or lowing oxen,

wise men trailing star with gold,

frankincense, and myrrh.

Tonight I will sing praise to the Father

who stood on heaven’s threshold

and said farewell to his Son

as he stepped across the stars

to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

And I will sing praise to the infinite, eternal Son,

who became most finite, a baby

who would one day be executed for my crime.

Praise him in the heavens,

Praise him in the stable,

Praise him in my heart.”                                                                                                             -Joe Bayly

 

 

We can rejoice this Advent season, because we know that God’s promises are true, His Word is complete, and His is coming. 

 

 

Daily Meditations

 

Memory verse: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.” Deuteronomy 18:18

 

Monday

Read Deuteronomy 18:17-22. “I will raise up for you a prophet.”  Who is this talking about and, briefly, how do you know? 

 

 

 

How could someone tell who was genuinely a prophet from God and who was not?

 

 

 

Tuesday

Read Deuteronomy 18:17-22.  According to verse 19, how bad is it for us if we don’t listen? 

 

 

 

In addition to listening to the Word, what are some other ways we can strengthen our grasp on God’s Word? 

 

 

 

Wednesday

Read Deuteronomy 18:17-22 and Acts 3:17-23.   According to Peter in verse 17, why did certain Jews mistreat Jesus?

 

 

 

 What can we learn from Peter’s example about confronting others with God’s message?

 

 

 

Thursday

Read Acts 3:17-23.  According to verses 19-21, what results would follow if Peter’s audience responded to his words? 

 

 

 

How can you be bold and encourage others to come to Christ?

 

 

 

Friday

Read Acts 3:17-23.  What did Peter tell his audience to do in order to be forgiven of their sins?  See verse 19. 

 

 

 

In your own words, describe what it means to repent and turn to God.    

 

 

 

Saturday

Read Acts 3:17-23.  In verses 24-26, how did Peter offer hope to his audience in spite of his warnings.  

 

 

 

What areas of your life do you need to turn over to God at this time in your life?