Signs and Wonders: Jesus' Ministry and Its Message

II. Christ the Anointed Priest

I. Jewish Priesthood
Jewish priests: Israel's "worship leaders" and public health officials
Priests conserve Israel's holiness
Priests sacrifice, and are a sacrifice (Numbers 8:5-22)
The sacrifice for sin: Blood, where the life is (Ex. 12:12, 24:8, Heb. 10:3-4)

II. Jesus the Priest
At baptism: "You are my Son" (Ps. 2:7, Heb. 5:5)
His representative repentance is like the high priest's intercession
His priestly mission (Heb. 9:14, 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
Satan's vision of priesthood: Put God to the test

(Luke 4:9-12, Ps. 91, Deut. 6:16, Ex. 17:2-7)

Beginning of Jesus' priestly ministry

(Luke 4:31-37, Mark 1:40-45, John 2:18-22?)

Priestly highlights: Exorcism, healing, cleansing, forgiving sins

(Matt. 8:1-4, Mark 2:5-11, Heb. 10:1-10)

Climax: Cross (Heb. 9:14, 10:12-13, 1 Cor. 11:23-26)

III. Not a Priest?
Problem: Jesus is not a Levite (Matt. 1, Heb. 7:14)
Solution: Melchizedek (Heb. 7:3, Gen. 14:17-20)

IV. A Kingdom of Priests: Jesus the Priest, Continued
Jesus' work as priest continues (Heb. 7:23-25, Rom. 8:34, Heb. 9:24)
It continues through us (Isa. 61:6, in Rev. 1:5-6, Rev. 5:10, 1 Pet. 2:5, 9)
"The power of the keys"

(Rev. 1:18, Matt. 16:18-19, John 20:23)

(cf. the Seal of the Vatican)

V. The Climax of Priesthood
Jesus is the temple of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22, 27)