Jesus mission on earth was “For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
However, Jesus accomplished all the work that the Father gave Him to do as “Prophet, Priest and King.”
Jesus: the Prophet
God chose the OT prophets to proclaim His word to His people. Their job was difficult, for when God raised up a prophet, it was normally to pronounce judgement on man.
The first main function of a prophet was to be a spokesman for God.
The last prophet of the OT was John the Baptist. His message was dire and specific, “Matthew 3:2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
After hearing about the death of John the Baptist, Jesus took up the message,
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
Jesus fulfilled His role as a prophet.
John 7:16, “So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.”
John 8:28, So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
John 17:8, For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
The second main function of a prophet was the foretelling or prediction of future events, through divine revelation.
- Jesus predicted His death, burial and resurrection in the Olivet Discourse, recorded as fulfilled in all four Gospel accounts (Matthew 27—28; Mark 15—16; Luke 22—24; and John 18—20).
- Jesus predicted the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Therefore, Jesus clearly fulfilled the role of a prophet.
A third main function of some prophets were the sign gifts, such as healing and miracles.
- Moses, Elijah, Elisha in the OT performed many miracles, (Exodus 14:21–22; 1 Kings 18:36–38; 2 Kings 6:6.
- The Apostles performed many miracles.
- All four Gospel accounts record Jesus performing many miracles and healings (e.g., Matthew 8:14–15; Mark 1:40–45; Luke 8:42–48; and John 6:16–21).
- The title of “prophet” for Jesus is found many times in the Gospels when other people refer to Jesus (Matthew 21:11; Luke 7:16; John 4:19).
- Jesus also alluded to Himself as a prophet in Mark 6:4.
- Jesus fulfills all the requirements for a prophet in title, word, and deed.
Next time we will look at Jesus as the High Priest