Feature
Seeking Pastoral
Identity
by John E. Johnson
(Continued from page 3)
The King
Though this office did not emerge until the eleventh century, the king also brought a necessary dimension to the shepherding of the people. In fact, shepherding and ruling were concepts associated with kingship by the elders in David's day (2 Sa. 5:2). Called to exercise authority wisely, the king was responsible to maintain and defend the state and to insure justice. Above all, he was to fear the Lord (Dt. 17:14-20).
Like the prophet and priest, the king was anointed, consecrated for his task, sharing in God's holiness (1 Sa. 10:10; 16:13; 24:6). In fact, “anointed” most commonly referred to the king of Israel. Therefore, great respect was due the king (1 Sa. 24:6-11; 26:9, 11, 23; 2 Sa. 1:14, 16).
In a certain sense he was looked on as a savior, ensuring the welfare of his people (Ps. 72; 2 Ki. 13:5).Yet, as de Vaux points out, Israel's faith in God “made any deification of the king impossible.”(32) At times he performed priestly acts, leading Israel in worship (2 Sa. 24:25; 1 Ki. 5-8), offering sacrifices (2 Sa. 6:13; 24:25), and blessing the people (2 Sa. 6:18). Yet, he was not a priest (2 Ch. 26:18).
The king's principal task was to lead the nation, the people of God. The king's ability to lead and administer the affairs of state rested on his obedience. The accounts of Kings and Chronicles underscore repeatedly the direct relationship between a leader's competence to command and his personal godliness.
The prophets declared God's word, the priests mediated God's forgiveness, the sages instructed the people to walk in godly wisdom, and the king led the people, administrating justice, establishing boundaries, utilizing resources, and leading into battle.
THE FOUR OFFICES AND CHRIST
In Christ, the four offices came into perfect bloom. “In one figure alone were all offices adequately united, sufficiently displayed, and fully consummated—Jesus Christ.”(33) Looking back, clearly the offices served to foreshadow and anticipate the Minister par excellence.
In successive states these offices were revealed in Christ, moving to a dramatic climax. In His earthly ministry, He first appeared as a prophet, then as a wise sage. In His suffering and death, He revealed His identity as priest. In His glorification, He rules over His kingdom as Head of the church, and will return to earth to establish His rule over the world as king of kings. More than guidelines for His ministry, then, the offices are, as Walvoord puts it, the “key” to the purpose of the incarnation.(34)
Christ not only brought the offices of the Old Testament to perfect expression; He also radically altered them. He taught not merely with words, but was God's own living Word. He interceded, not as a Levitical priest with animal sacrifice, but as the great High Priest, bringing the sacrifice of His own body. He counseled, not as a mere sage acquainted with the ways of life, but as the very personification of wisdom. And Christ governs, not like the rulers of this earth, but as the Heir of all things.
As Prophet
As the prophet of all prophets, Jesus declared the word of God from the moment He began His public ministry (Lu. 2:47). Moses was the great prophet of the Old Testament, but Christ was even greater (Dt. 18:15; Ma. 11:9; 16:13-14; Ma. 6:15; Lu. 4:18-21; 7:16; 13:33; Jn. 4:19; 6:14; Ac. 3:22; 7:37; He. 1:1-2).
Jesus' prophetic identity was demonstrated by His titles (Rabbi, Master, Teacher, Apostle). Some people thought He was Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets (Ma. 8:27).
By His earthly ministry, Christ was the perfect model for those called to the prophetic task. As the revealer of divine revelation, He modeled what He proclaimed (Jn. 14:6), and bathed truth in the waters of kindness as He reached out to the lost, the hurting, and children (Jn. 4; Ma. 7; 10). There was variety in His preaching. Stories, seemingly harmless on the surface, were powerfully penetrating. His message, though concise, had unparalleled authority (Ma. 7:28-29).
As Priest
Christ's identity as priest, after the order of Melchizedek, was held in reserve during most of His earthly ministry, hidden for the most part (Ps. 110:4). However, near the end there was no mystery as to His calling as the perfect high priest (Jn. 17). His sacrifice was unique because it was a self-offering. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, the sacrificial lamb to atone for sin (Jn. 1:29; Ro. 3:25; Eph. 5:2; 1 Ti. 2:5-6; 1 Jn. 2:2; Re. 5:6). Hebrews presents Him as the superior, all-sufficient sacrifice (He. 7:27; 9:12).
In His present ministry He serves as the believers' High Priest. He continually intercedes for them (John 17; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25), touched by their infirmities and sympathizing with their weaknesses (Heb. 4:15). Through both the cross and His present work in heaven, He saves sinners from crippling guilt (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 2:1) and promises the blessing of eternal life for those who believe.
As Sage
While Solomon is presented in the Old Testament as the sage par excellence (1 Ki. 3:1-15), Christ is presented in the New Testament as the One greater than Solomon (Ma. 12:42), the One in whom wisdom is culminated ( Co. 2:3). Possessing the characteristics of a sage (Lu. 2:47), He increased in wisdom and stature (v. 52), and overwhelmed His hearers with His wisdom (Ma. 13:54).
As King
While David, more than any other king, reflected the godly role of the Old Testament king, Christ is the king of kings, who will fulfill all the covenant promises as David's greater Son (Re. 17:14). He was born the king of the Jews (Ma. 2:2), and in His ministry He provided and provides judicial governance as the king (Is. 9:6-7; Ps. 2:6; Lu. 1:32-33; Jn. 18:37; 1 Ti. 6:15; Re. 19:16).
He came as the promised messianic king, executing God's justice (Ma. 18) and carrying out the Sovereign's mandates (Ma. 28:19-20). As King (Ma. 27:11), His preaching promoted God's kingdom (Mar. 1:14-15), a kingdom that consists of righteousness, peace, and joy (Ro. 14:17). He came to release mankind from spiritual bondage. As ascended king, He orders, directs, and preserves the church as its head (Eph. 1:22), and provides its resources (Eph. 4:8-9). However, the full revelation of His work as king is reserved for His second coming (Re. 19:16), when He establishes His reign on earth.
