Lesson 11:  Redemption Accomplished By God Through Christ The Son: The Threefold Offices Of Christ 

Introduction

Hello, and welcome back to An Introduction To The Christian Faith. In this lesson, we will consider Baptist Catechism questions 26-31.

Before we dive into these questions and answers, it would be helpful to briefly review what we learned in the previous lessons. Questions 16-22 of our catechism delivered the bad news concerning man’s fall into sin and its effects.  But questions 23-25 brought us good news.  God did not leave mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery but has, out of His mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation, by a Redeemer (see Baptist Catechism 23).  And who is this Redeemer of God’s elect?  Baptist Catechism 24 answers,  The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ.  After this, our catechism teaches us about Jesus’ person and natures: The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was and continueth to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person, forever.  How were these two natures inseparably joined in the person of the Son?  Baptist Catehchim 25 answers, Christ, the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul; being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary and born of her, yet without sin.  So, we have identified the Redeemer.  He is the Lord Jesus Christ.  And we have learned about his person.  He is the person of the eternal Son of God incarnate.  He is God and man, in two distinct natures and one person, forever. 

Now, having learned about the person of Christ the Redeemer, we turn our attention to the work of Christ the Redeemer.  Stated differently, Baptist Catechism questions 24-25 answer the question, who is Christ the Redeemer?  Questions 26-31 address the question, what has Christ done to accomplish our redemption? When we talk about Christ the Redeemer, it is important to consider his person and his work.  Not only must we know who Christ is, we must also understand what he has done to save us from our sin and misery.  As we progress through this lesson, I hope you see that only this person, Jesus Christ, the Son of God incarnate, is qualified and capable of doing this work — the work of our Redemption. 

Question 26:  What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?

Answer:  Christ as our Redeemer executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king,
both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.

Baptist Catechism 26 asks, What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?  To “execute” is to carry out, accomplish, perform, or fulfill.  An “office” is a work to be done.  When someone is appointed to the office of governor, they are officially appointed to do the work of a governor.  When a man is appointed to the office of pastor, they are officially appointed to do the work of a pastor. So, when our catechism asks, what offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?, the question is, what work does Christ perform?  Answer: Christ as our Redeemer executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.

Notice how the answer to question 26 prepares us for questions 27-31.  Question 27 asks, How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?  Question 28: How doth Christ execute the office of a priest? Question 29: How doth Christ execute the office of a king?  Question 30: Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?  Question 31: Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?  In questions 27-31, each little phrase of the Baptist Catechism 26 answer is expanded upon and explained. 

Before we move on to consider these questions and answers, it is important to notice that all three of the offices mentioned are found in the Old Testament Scriptures.  In the Old Testament, we are told about prophets (men like Moses, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah). We also learn about priests (men like Melchizedek, Aaron, and Levi).  The Old Testament also tells us about kings, the most important being David, the king of Israel.  These prophets, priests, and kings of old all had jobs to do.  They had certain roles to play. They had works to perform.  It was rare for one man to fulfill more than one of these offices.  I cannot think of an example where one man fulfilled all three offices in a formal capacity.  But our catechism teaches that Jesus Christ fulfills all three offices most supremely.  Moses was a prophet, but Jesus Christ is the Prophet of God (see John 4:25; 8:28; 12:49, 50; 15:5; 17:8).  Aaron was a priest, but Jesus Christ is the great High Priest over the house of God (see Hebrews 10:21).  David was a king of Israel.  Jesus Christ is the King of God’s everlasting kingdom, the King of kings and Lord of lords (see Revelation 19:11-16).  As I have said, Baptist Catechism questions 26-31 answer the question, what is the work that Christ performs as our Redeemer?  Here we learn that Christ the Redeemer does the work of a prophet, priest, and king, both in His state of humiliation and exaltation. 

Question 27:  How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
Answer:  Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit,
the will of God for our salvation. 

Question 27 asks, How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet? Answer: Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. 

Consider four things about the prophetic work of Christ the Redeemer:

First, Jesus Christ was not the first prophet of God. 

Hebrews 1:1 says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets…” So, before the birth of Jesus Christ God appointed many prophets. Moses is to be regarded as very great. Deuteronomy 34:10 says, “And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face…” God spoke to Moses face to face, as it were. And Moses was faithful to communicate the word of God to the people.

John the Baptist, the relative of Jesus, and his forerunner, was also a prophet. In fact, he is to be regarded as the greatest of the prophets of old. Why? Because he had the distinct privilege of announcing the arrival of the kingdom of God. He preached, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2, ESV). He was blessed to point at Jesus and to say, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, ESV). In a sense, this is what all of the prophets did. In different ways, they pointed forward to Christ and his kingdom. But John the Baptist was blessed to announce his arrival and to prepare the way for his ministry. 

What was the job of these prophets of old? What work did they do? In brief, they declared the word of God to the people. Most often, they preached the law and the gospel. They would apply the law of Moses to the people and urge them to turn from their sins and to God. So then, the prophets were preachers. Sometimes, they would foretell the future. Being inspired by God, the prophets would sometimes warn of impending judgment. And as I have just said, the prophets would also point forward to the Messiah, the arrival of his kingdom, and to the New Covenant that he would mediate. 

The Old Testament contains many prophecies about the coming Messiah. I’ll mention Jeremiah 31:31 mainly because it is so clear.  Jeremiah prophesied, “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:31–34, ESV).

What did the prophets of old do? What was the work of their office? The prophets of old preached the law and the gospel to God’s people. The prophets of old also prophesied concerning the future, especially concerning the arrival of Christ, his kingdom, and the New Covenant.  

The second thing I would like you to consider is that long ago it was promised a great prophet would one day arise from within Israel.

Deuteronomy 18:15 is important. Here we find the words of Moses. He spoke to the people of Israel, saying, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—” (Deuteronomy 18:15, ESV). As I have just said, many prophets would arise within Israel from Moses’ day onward. But in this passage, Moses speaks of “a prophet” and says, “it is to him you shall listen.” From that day forward the people of Israel were to live with a sense of expectation and wonder as they awaited the arrival of this great prophet.  

This leads to our third consideration concerning Christ’s prophetic office. Though Jesus Christ was not the first prophet, he is by far the greatest of the prophets. 

I’ll start by reminding you of the story found in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36 about Jesus being transfigured up on the mountain in front of Peter, James, and John. These three disciples of Jesus saw him glorified in front of them. And who appeared with Jesus? It was none other than the great prophets of old, Moses and Elijah. And do not forget what God said. In Matthew 17:5 we read, “Behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’” (Matthew 17:5–7, ESV). So, over a thousand years earlier Moses spoke to Israel, saying, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—” (Deuteronomy 18:15, ESV), and up on the mountain, Jesus was glorified with Moses and Elijah at his side and God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The message could not be more clear. Jesus Christ is the great prophet of whom Moses spoke (see Acts 3:22–26). Jesus is like Moses in that he is a prophet and a mediator of a covenant – Moses of the Old and Jesus of the New. Jesus is not like Moses in that Moses was a servant in God’s house whereas Christ is the Son of God. Moses was a great prophet of God but Jesus Christ is a much greater prophet. 

Listen to Hebrews 1:1-2. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” (Hebrews 1:1–2, ESV)

Hebrews 3:5-6 says, “Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” (Hebrews 3:5–6, ESV)

Prophets speak to God’s people on behalf of God. In other words, prophets reveal God and God’s will for our salvation. Many faithful prophets lived during and before the time of Christ, but Jesus Christ is a prophet of a different kind. He is not a servant in God’s house, he is God’s Son. In other words, God did not merely give Christ the words to speak to his people, Christ is the eternal Word of God incarnate.  

Listen to John 1:1-3. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1–3, ESV). John 1:14 then says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, ESV). And John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known” (John 1:18, ESV).

Can you see why I have said that Jesus Christ is a prophet of a different kind? He is no mere man speaking the words of God to the people of God. No, he is the eternal Son or Word of God incarnate. One of the key purposes of his mission was to reveal the Father to us and to make known the way of our salvation. This he has done supremely and most perfectly.   

Listen to the Word of Christ in John 15:15: “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15, ESV). Listen to the words of Christ in John 17:6-8. He prayed to God, saying, “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 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” (John 17:6–8, ESV). 

The prophets of old spoke the word of God to the people of God as servants. Jesus Christ is a prophet of a different order or kind. He speaks the word of God to us as the eternal Son who came down from the Father. His word is the supreme word. His word is the final word. All prophecies uttered before and after his incarnation are from him (through inspiration) and have reference to him (he is the fulfillment).  

The fourth and final thing I would like you to consider about Christ’s prophetic work is that in this office, Christ the Redeemer meets our need. 

If we are to know God truly, God must reveal himself to us. How much more do we stand in need of God’s revelation now that we have fallen into sin? Adam was created with true knowledge, remember? But now that we have fallen, our minds are darkened because of sin (see Ephesians 4:18). We need God’s word if we are to know God and the way of salvation. Jesus Christ is the Word of God. He reveals to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation, our catechism says. 

The little phrase, “by His Word and Spirit”, is interesting. By it we are reminded of another way in which Christ is greater than any other prophet. The prophets of old were empowered by God to speak the word of God. But they did not have the power to enable men and women to understand or believe the words they spoke. But Christ reveals to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. Not only does he have the power to deliver the message he also has the power to open the minds and change the hearts of God’s elect to make them willing and able to believe his word. This he does by sending his Word and Spirit. The little phrase, “by His Word and Spirit”, prepares us for what will learn in Baptist Catechism 33 and 34 regarding effectual calling. 

Question 28: How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of priest in his once offering up himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.

Let us now move on to Baptist Catechism 28 to consider Christ’s priestly office. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest? Answer: Christ executeth the office of priest in his once offering up himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.

Consider four things about Christ the Redeemer and his priestly work (these observations will sound familiar):  

First, Jesus Christ was not the first priest of God. 

In the days of Abraham, there was a priest of God named Melchizedek. You may read of him in Genesis 14:l17ff. He’s a bit of a mysterious figure but he is very important. We will return to him shortly. And in the days of Moses, Aaron was consecrated to fulfill the office of priest in Israel. From that day forward, it was the descendants of Aaron and Levi who were to hold the office of priest.

What work did these priests do? They ministered at the tabernacle, and later, the temple. They were to keep the temple pure. They were to offer sacrifices and prayers to God on behalf of the people. The priests were intermediaries and intercessors. The people of Israel were to approach God through the priesthood, at the temple, and through the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant. 

The second thing I would like you to consider is that long ago it was promised that a great priest would arise, not in the line of Aaron or Levi, but according to the order of Melchizedek. 

The writer of the book Hebrews makes much of this in Hebrews chapters 5 through 7. In that long passage, he quotes Psalm 110:4. This Psalm was written by King David about 1,000 years before Christ was born. This Psalm is about the promised Messiah. And one of the things it revealed was that the Messiah would be a priest. Psalm 110:4 says, “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:4, ESV). 

Two things about this verse are shocking. 

One, it revealed that the Messiah would be a priest, not in the line of Aaron or Levi, but in the order of Melchizedek, that mysterious figure mentioned in Genesis 14. The reason for this is that the Messiah would not be called to function as a priest according to the order of the Old Mosaic Covenant (see Exodus 19-Deuteronomy). As priest, he would not offer up animal sacrifices or incense at the temple. He would not be concerned with ceremonial washing or the holy days of the Old Covenant. No, as a priest, the Messiah would serve under a different Covenant – the New Covenant – and according to a different order. Melchizedek lived long before Moses. Melchizedek predated the Old Mosaic Covenant. Melchizedek ministered in the world in a time when only the Covenant of Grace was present in the world, and then only in the form of a promise. For this reason, Christ is said to be a priest, not in the line of Moses, Aaron, or Levi, but Melchizedek. Just as Melchizedek served the Covenant of Grace, so to Christ would serve the Covenant of Grace. In the days of Melchizedek the Covenant of Grace was promised. In the days of Christ, it was fulfilled. As it pertains to the priestly office, Jesus Christ has more in common with Melchizedek than Moses, Aaron, and Levi.  

Two, Psalm 110:4 says that Messiah will be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. This is shocking because the priests who descended from Aaron would serve for a time but their service would always come to an end because they would die. All of the priests of the Old Covenant order were eventually removed from office by death. But the Messiah, Psalm 110:4 revealed, would serve as a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. As I have said, Psalm 110 was written by King David about 1,000 years before Jesus the Messiah was born. From the time until the arrival of the Messiah, God’s people lived with a sense of anticipation wondering when this great priest would arrive, who he would be, what work he would do, and how he could possibly serve forever, in fulfillment of this ancient prophesy (see 1 Peter 1:10-11).

A lot more could be said about how the priestly work of Christ was anticipated under the Old Covenant. In brief, though the Messiah would be a priest, not in the order of Aaron or Levi, but in the order of Melchizedek, the priesthood of Aaron and Levi and their ministry at the tabernacle and temple under the Old Covenant did foreshadow the priesthood of Christ in many ways. The continual offering up of the blood of bulls and goats, the perpetual need for cleansing, and the cycle of priests being ordained to the office and then being removed by death, anticipated the arrival of the one who would actually atone for and cleanse from sin, who would mediate forever and ever so as to bring us into the presence of God. The book of Hebrews has a lot to say about these things, especially chapters 7 through 10.    

This leads to our third consideration concerning Christ’s priestly office. Though Jesus Christ was not the first priest, he is by far the greatest priest, and he is also the last.

The priests of the Old Covenant offered up the blood of bulls and goats. This animal blood could not actually atone for human sin and make one right with God (see Hebrews 10:1-4). These sacrifices did point forward to the sacrifice that Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, has offered up. And what sacrifice did Jesus offer up? He offered up his own life as a substitute for sinners. He shed his own blood for the remission of sins. ​​Christ said, “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28, ESV).

The priests of old were able to cleanse the body and make one ceremonially pure according to the conditions of the Old Covenant, but they could not cleanse the conscience. It is Christ who cleanses the conscience, for Christ actually removes the guilt of sin. This is why the writer to the Hebrews says, “and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:21–23, ESV).

The priests of old, though they were able to intercede from on earth on behalf of God’s people, were not able to reconcile people to God, for they themselves were sinners in need of cleansing. And though they fulfilled an important ministry for a time, their ministries were always cut short by death. But Christ, our great High Priest, is able to bring us to God, and he intercedes for his people continuously, for he lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death for his people, was buried, and on the third day, and was raised to life eternal and incorruptible. He ascended to the right hand of the Father where he makes continual intercession for his people. None of the priests of old ascended. They served God and his people on earth. But Christ ascended into the heavenly holy of holies. 

This is what Hebrews 10:12-14 speaks about, saying, “And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:11–14, ESV).

I could say a lot more. The priests of old were good and even great, but Christ is much greater. Christ was raised from the dead. He has ascended. His blood actually cleanses from sin. He has the power to reconcile us to God.    

The fourth and final thing I would like you to consider about Christ’s priestly work is that in this office, Christ the Redeemer meets our need. 

Because of sin, we need to be cleansed. We need to be made right with God. We cannot ascend to heaven on our own. Someone needs to take us there. Jesus Christ is the one. His blood cleanses (see 1 John 1:7). He gives his righteousness to all who turn from their sins to trust in him (see Isaiah 61:10). He reconciles us to the Father (see Romans 5:11). He intercedes for us continually (see Hebrews 7:25). 

Question 29: How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

Answer: Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling, and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.

Let us go now to Baptist Catechism 29. Question: How doth Christ execute the office of a king? Answer: Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling, and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.

Consider, briefly, four things about Christ the Redeemer and his kingly work:  

One, Jesus Christ was not the first king of God’s people. 

Under the Old Mosaic Covenant, many kings were appointed to rule within Israel. To learn about Israel’s kings, you may read 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles. The history of Israel’s kings is rather sad. It did not begin well with the choosing of Saul. Israel wanted a king like all the other nations. God allowed them to have Saul. He was a disaster because he was worldly and faithless (see 1 Samuel 15:23). Afterwards, David was anointed king. David was far from perfect, but he was a man after God’s heart (see 1 Samuel 13:14). This means he was a man of faith. This also means that he understood the kings of Israel were to rule under God’s supreme authority. David was the greatest of the kings of Israel. The nation was settled and well-established under his rule. His son Solomon enjoyed the fruits of that, but he turned his back on the LORD.  Of all the kings that descended from David and Solomon, some were faithful, but most were unfaithful. When you read the story of Israel’s kings, you will notice this theme: As goes the king, so goes the kingdom. Kings are to protect the citizens of their kingdom. They are to rule over them justly. They are to lead. When the kings of Israel (and later Judah) honored the Lord, the nation was blessed. When they dishonored the Lord, the nation was cursed.

The second thing I would like you to consider is that long ago it was promised that a great King would arise in the line of David. 

2 Samuel 7 is a very important Scripture text. In it, we find a record of what is called the Davidic Covenant. There God promises many things to King David as it pertains to his kingdom. Listen to verses 12-13. There the Lord promises David, “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12–13, ESV). In verse 16 the Lord says, “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16, ESV).

So, God promised to raise up a son from David who would rule over his kingdom forever. This should sound familiar. Just as God promised that the Messiah would be a priest who served forever, God also promised that David would have a son who would rule and reign forever. 

This combination of the priestly and kingly offices is also observed in Psalm 110 which we read earlier. Here is again: “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:1–4, ESV).

Notice a few things about this very important text: One, this king who would be David’s son would also be David’s Lord. That is why David said, “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand…” etc. The first LORD mentioned is God. And who is the second Lord mentioned? He is the king who would descend from David. So, David’s son would be greater than him. Jesus makes much of this in Luke 20:41-44. Two, this great king would be invited to sit, not on an earthly throne, but at God’s right hand in heaven. Three, this king would sit there until all his enemies were subdued. Four, many will be judged by this king, being placed under his feet. Five, his people would offer themselves freely on the day of his power. In other words, many would bow the knee to him freely and surrender to him as Lord. It is no wonder that many were eagerly awaiting the arrival of this Anointed King or Messiah. 

This leads to our third consideration concerning Christ’s kingly office. Though Jesus Christ was not the first king, he is by far the greatest King. He is the King of Psalm 110. He is the King of 2 Samuel 7. He is the King who descended from David. He is the King who rules and reigns forever over God’s eternal kingdom. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (see Revelation 19:16). 

The New Testament Scriptures teach this in many different ways. Listen to the very first verse of the New Testament. Matthew 1:1 says, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matthew begins his gospel by telling us that Jesus Christ is the son that was promised to David as recorded in 2 Samuel 7. 

When the angel Gabriel came to make the announcement to the virgin Mary that she would conceive and give birth to a son, he said, among other things, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31–33, ESV).

Many other proofs could be piled up in support of the claim that Jesus is the Anointed son of David, the King of God’s eternal kingdom. I’ll present one more passage to you from the book of Revelation. Here we find a picture of the return of Christ and the final judgment. In Revelation 19:11 we read, “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11–16, ESV).

The fourth and final thing I would like you to consider about Christ’s kingly work is that in this office, Christ the Redeemer meets our need. 

What needs does Christ meet as our king? One, subduing us to himself. We need him to do this because we are by nature rebels and enemies of God. Two, he rules over us. Those who have Jesus as Savior also have him as Lord (see Romans 10:9). Lords rule over their people! Christ is a most merciful and kind ruler. Three, Christ defends his people. Listen to the words of Christ in John 10:25: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:27–30, ESV). Four, Christ restrains all of his and our enemies (see Revelation 20:1-3). Five, Christ conquers all of his and our enemies, the last enemy to be conquered is death. You can hear echoes of Psalm 110 in 1 Corinthians 15:25-27. There Paul writes about Christ, saying, “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For ‘God   has put all things in subjection under his feet’” (1 Corinthians 15:25–27, ESV).

Question 30: Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?

Answer: Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross, in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. 

We have learned all about the threefold offices of Christ. Baptist Catechism 26 is correct. Christ as our Redeemer executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of king. But do not forget the little phrase found at the very end of answer 26. The answer concludes with these words, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.

Question 30 explains what is meant by, in his estate of humiliation. It asks, Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist? Answer: Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross, in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. 

When we speak of Christ’s humiliation we are considering his descent from heaven. The Son of God “came down”, as it were, by assuming a human nature. He was born, and that in a low condition. He was not born in a king’s palace but to poor and lowly parents. When he was born he was placed in a manger. He was made under the law. He had to keep the laws of the Old Mosaic Covenant. He endured the miseries of this life. He was hungry and thirsty. He was despised and rejected. He lost loved ones and wept. He also endured the wrath of God as he paid for our sins on the cross. And he died. And he did not die an easy death. He endured the cursed death of the cross. Christ’s humiliation or descent did not end at the cross. His body was buried, and he continued under the power of death for a time. His soul descended to Sheol. 

Jesus Christ fulfilled the office of prophet, priest, and king in his humiliation.  

Question 31: Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?

Answer: Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

But Christ’s body did not remain in the grave, and his soul did not remain in Sheol. In fulfillment of Psalm 16:10, which says, “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption”, Christ was raised from the dead on the third day, and so his exultation began.

Baptist Catechism 31 asks, Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation? Answer: Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

Notice this, Christ continues to be our great prophet, priest, and king to this present day and will for all eternity. He gives us his word now, as our Prophet. He intercedes for us continually, as our High Priest. He subdues us, conquers his enemies and ours, rules us, and protects and preserves us continuously. This is good news and wonderful to consider. 

Conclusion 

As I move this lesson to a conclusion, I wonder if you can see how helpful it is to consider the work of Christ in terms of his threefold office of prophet, priest, and king. I’m afraid we have a tendency to think of our salvation in Jesus Christ as the mere forgiveness of our sins. Now, please do not misunderstand, it is a great blessing to have your sins forgiven (see Romans 4:8). But our redemption in Christ Jesus involves so much more. Viewing Christ the Redeemer in terms of these offices helps us to see the multifaceted benefits that Christ has earned for us through his finished work. 

I would like to conclude now by reading what our confession of faith says about the offices of Christ. Second London Confession 8.9 says, This office of mediator between God and man is proper only to Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may not be either in whole, or any part thereof, transferred from him to any other. Paragraph 10 says This number and order of offices is necessary; for in respect of our ignorance, we stand in need of his prophetical office; and in respect of our alienation from God, and imperfection of the best of our services, we need his priestly office to reconcile us and present us acceptable unto God; and in respect to our averseness and utter inability to return to God, and for our rescue and security from our spiritual adversaries, we need his kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, uphold, deliver, and preserve us to his heavenly kingdom.

Amen! Aren’t you grateful that Christ Jesus meets all of our needs? What a wonderful Savior we have. 

Well, I think that will do for this lesson. Until next time, abide in Christ.