The Coming Messiah: Micah 5:1-5

This Sunday we will have the honor to study one of the greatest Old Testament prophecies concerning the birth of the long awaited Messiah. In fact, Micah 5:1-5 has been identified as one of the single most important prophecies in the Old Testament. It is important to remember the prophets proclaimed the Messiah would embody the function of Prophet, Priest, and King. As we worship Jesus this Advent season my prayer is that we grow in our understanding of Jesus, the long awaited Messiah.

The three offices: Prophet, Priest, and King
These were the “anointed” offices - called and appointed by God and each helped establish and maintain God’s covenant with his people. Christ was the anointed One - Messiah – the ultimate prophet, priest, and king.

Christ alone is our Prophet.
The prophet is the person commissioned by God to reveal the thoughts and speak the
words of God to the people.
1. We need a prophet - we don’t know what God is thinking unless he reveals it to us.

• Isaiah 55:8-9 - The very thoughts and ways of God are much higher than ours.
• Ephesians 4:17-18 - As Christians, our life should be different than the Gentiles: they walk in the futility of their minds. They were darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of ignorance that is in them due to their hardened hearts.

2. Jesus is the Prophet

• 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.

Christ alone is our Priest
1. We need a priest to represent us to God because of our guilt

• Hebrews 5:1 - For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
• “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2

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2. Jesus is our High Priest

• “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

Christ alone is our King
1. We need a King - to rescue us and reign over us.

• For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son - Colossians 1:13

2. Christ is our King

• The Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in His own time…He who is blessed and the only Sovereign One, the King of kings and Lord of lords. - 1 Timothy 6:15

Think about it…
God sent us the Prophet. Do you listen to him? Do his words land on your heart as the absolute truth or do you merely consider his words and then do what pleases you? In what areas are you not seeing or thinking clearly? How would knowing God’s thoughts be helpful in this situation?

God sent us a Great High Priest. Are you standing in him? Is He the High Priest that you go to in order to get to God? In what ways do you struggle with condemnation, shame or guilt? How does Christ as your High Priest provide a remedy for this? How does knowing him as High Priest address your guilt? your God-given identity as a Christian?

God gave us the King of Kings. What’s your reaction to the thought of a “sovereign king” who has the right to rule and reign over his people - over you? Is he King over our heart? Have you found the new joy of living submitted to a gracious, merciful, slow to anger, all-powerful king? Where do you struggle with submission to God’s word and yielding to the authority of Scripture?