Onomaticon: Prophet, Lamb of God, and High Priest
Prophet
So many times we hear of great preachers and prophets and what they have accomplished during their amazing lives here on earth. But there is one Prophet that is over all the rest: Jesus.
Matthew 21:11 recounts, “The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’” Prophet in the Webster’s Dictionary is defined as “A person regarded as, or claiming to be, an inspired teacher or leader.”
Jesus is, was, and forever will be our teacher and leader, or what is called a Prophet. He was the inspiration for all the prophets of the Old Testament, who foretold His coming. Even if we have our teachers and leaders here on earth, we must remember that we serve a great and mighty Teacher and Leader. He knows all there is to know! He truly is the Great Prophet!
Lamb of God
The Lamb of God. When I hear this name, my mind goes to little fluffy animals that prance around in the green meadow. But Jesus was also referred to as the Lamb of God — in John 1:28 we read that “the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God , who takes away the sin of the world!’”
Lambs were used at that time as a sacrifice. When I think of a lamb I think of a soft white coat. Innocence. Beauty. Why would something like that be sacrificed? They were sacrificed to show that the people wanted to give something perfect. But Jesus was the only perfect sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:13-14 says, “The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
Lambs and bulls could not do all that God wanted to do. Jesus was the only pure and spotless sacrifice, innocent and perfect. The Lamb of God.
High Priest
A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites. In particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities. Priests have administrative power as well as spiritual power. Hebrews 6:20 says “Here Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever.”
Jesus is the priest above priests. Even with as much authority as a priest has, Jesus overrules their authority by a long shot and takes over that “small” role. God is above all men, priests, popes, governers, and even presidents! Some people might not like that there is a priest that is higher than all the rest, but I guess that just ensures that no one can rise to complete power, no matter what! There is no realm where a person can override the authority of Jesus, our High Priest!
Nobody like Him. He’s above all but loved us enough to be our innocent and beautiful sacrifice. Good descriptions.