(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says Yahweh. Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says against the shepherds who feed my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and have not visited them. Behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings,” says Yahweh. “I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they will be fruitful and multiply. I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, neither will any be lacking,” says Yahweh.
“Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh,
“that I will raise to David a righteous Branch;
and he will reign as king and deal wisely,
and will execute justice and righteousness in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved,
and Israel will dwell safely.
This is his name by which he will be called:
Yahweh our righteousness.”
(Jeremiah 23:1-6)
“Yahweh says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”
Yahweh will send out the rod of your strength out of Zion.
Rule among your enemies.
Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array.
Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
Yahweh has sworn, and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
The Lord is at your right hand.
He will crush kings in the day of his wrath.
He will judge among the nations.
He will heap up dead bodies.
He will crush the ruler of the whole earth.
He will drink of the brook on the way;
therefore he will lift up his head.”
(Psalm 110)
“For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. So also Christ didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.” As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.”
(Hebrews 5:1-10)
False prophets and kings who led the people astray were targets of judgment. They knew better, but they chose the things they wanted instead of what was right and good. They proclaimed a false message. Taking their wants and claiming they were the Lord’s words. God wasn’t standing for it. If they wouldn’t shepherd His people, He would provide a shepherd to do it. God called out and told them Messiah was coming. Proper teaching, an everlasting position, and part and parcel of what He had always promised humanity: salvation and restoration.
David looked forward to it. According to Jesus, even as far back as Abraham people had been looking forward to it (John 8:56). There was a king coming. A mighty king of righteousness. But Messiah wouldn’t JUST be a king. Messiah would be something else: a king and a priest. These were two very different bloodlines. Two different tribes of Israel (Levi and Judah). They could not do the job of the other. But in Jerusalem in times past there HAD been a king who was also a priest (Genesis 14:18–20). This was the model for Messiah. Not a Levite. Not a Judean king. But a king and a priest who had both roles and performed both tasks. An all-encompassing shepherd.
Jesus became our Messiah. He became our priest and He became our king. He is able to stand and perform both roles for us. He understands what we go through. He doesn’t need to offer for Himself, as He never sinned, but can serve us all the time in all situations. Always ready, always on, always there. He is also our King, leading us to victory. Commanding us. Guiding us. And being the ultimate example for us. He doesn’t move from one role to another. He is both roles at the same time. He is able to bring us salvation because of that. Because of what He went through. Because of the unique position that He holds that no one did before Him, and as the eternal Son of God, no one will because there is no ‘after’ Him. He is Messiah. He is King. He is Priest. He is Jesus, the promised shepherd of ALL God’s children – Jew and Gentile.
Summary
In Jesus, we are called to be just as He is: “and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:6). In Jesus, we are to have the same ministry. Offering up prayers, blessing one another with gifts (not just material ones, but also time and emotional support), and discipling (shepherding) one another into a deeper relationship with the Lord. We are to follow His example. We are to let Him live through us, not just in us. We are to be the Light to this world because Jesus is shining through us. We are to be leaders, guiders, and examples. We overcome because He overcame. We can rule over our dead nature because of Jesus and the strength He gives us. We can help each other. Minister to each other. Jesus is Messiah, and we are His.
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