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Airline, Aviation and Aerospace Christian FellowshipsTalk 4 of 4

The Links Hotel7-11 November 1990

Conference Theme: The Mind of Christ

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In this series of talks on “The Mind of Christ” we have thought, first, about the image of Jesus in our minds.Following that point we then asked about the image of Jesus presented by the Gospel writers.In the second talk we drew that discussion to what was argues as the most adequate image of Jesus, that presented by the writer of the Gospel of John.Here we found an image that contained all of the others without contradiction and in line with the hopes and expectation of Israel for a coming prophet, priest, and king who would surpass all of the others God had given to His people.

Having alerted ourselves to the importance of our conception of the image of Jesus which we have in our minds, in the third talk we turned to three areas in which we might perceive the mind of Christ at work, affirming the truth of being, our ways of knowing, and forms of activity.We delved only briefly and tentatively into each of these areas, asking what it meant to develop the mind of Christ in these areas.

In this final lesson we will focus upon what Christ calls us to be, i.e., what the will of the mind of Christ is for us.For it is, to be like Him.To be like Him means that we are to do the things that He is called to do with Him, under Him, and as His co-workers.

We noted earlier that He was seen to be Israel’s true prophet, her true priest, and king.These three ideas, prophet, priest and king, called the three offices of Christ, have received sustained theological treatment in different points in the church’s history, particularly in the early church and then during the Reformation with Erasmus, several of the Reformed, and in the Polish Reformation.It might even be said that after the Reformation this theological vision found visible and structural social embodiment in seventeenth century New England where the school house, congregational church, and town meeting hall, each representing, respectively, the corporate work of Christ through His saints as prophet (teacher), priest and king.

A.Three OT Ascriptions:

The ascription to Jesus of these three offices originates with thinking embedded in the Hebrew Scriptures.For example, there is the expectation that another prophet would come, a Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one like Elijah (Malachi 3:5-6).This expectation is carried into the Gospels (e.g. Matt. 16:14).The vision of a priest whose work would surpass the Aaronic priesthood begins with the mysterious personage of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18), is picked up in Psalm 110:4, and again in Hebrews 5:6-10; 6:20; and 7:8.Finally, Isaiah 9:7 and 11:1 pick up a theme central to the Davidic kingship (II Samuel 7), that an heir would come to the throne of David whose kingdom would have no end.

Question: If you are unfamiliar with the texts given above, take some time to study them in order to understand the expectations that would be seen to be fulfilled in Jesus.

B.Jesus as Prophet, Priest and King

Jesus was seen to be the fulfilment of each of these hopes in Israel’s history.In other words, He was to discharge the offices of prophet, priest and king.However, before He fulfilled these functions His person and future ministry was subjected to testing.The focus for this is seen in the temptation of Jesus as recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, 4:1-11.Although from one point of view, i.e. His identity by divine nature, Jesus did not have to undergo such temptation, Jesus’ refusal to protect Himself and to guard His own prerogatives made possible (Phil.2:5-11) His assumption of these offices in a way that made them both efficacious for us as well as a model of His will for us.

In other words, by refusing to make bread out of stones, Jesus both pointed to a higher spiritual reality of which we stand in need and He also began the process whereby He would become our bread.Second, by refusing to follow the advice of Satan, throwing Himself down and trusting Himself to a miraculous deliverance, He pointed to a deeper reality in Scripture thus proving Himself to be the true teacher.As He put Himself under the word, He became master of it.Finally, by refusing to bow to Satan in order to receive all the kingdoms of the world, Jesus acknowledged the pitfalls of all idolatry.By honouring God first in all things, Jesus was made the instrument by which God’s rule and judgement would be known.

Questions:Study the following sets of passages:

1. Jesus as Priest (Matt. 4:2-4) and compare Hebrews 7 & 8

2. Jesus as Prophet (Matt. 4:5-7) and compare Matthew 16:13-20 and John 8:12-59; 10:1-21.

3. Jesus as King (Matt. 4:8-11) and compare Revelation 1:5-8.

C.The Christian as Prophet, Priest and King

If we are to know the mind of Christ and become built up into His image, then what Christ is so are we.The temptations and lessons experienced by Him are those which will be ours as well.

In other words, if we are to exercise the office of priests, we must first know what it means to be broken and find in Him our fullness and wholeness.Apart from such lessons our priestly activity stands in danger of portraying only a condescending attitude.

Second, until we have experienced the trust of Christ in our lives and learned to walk in it, the truth that we preach to others will only come across as puffed up knowledge apart from love.

Finally, until we have made Christ the King of our life and submitted to His rule, any way in which we attempt to rule over others will only breed resentment and anger.

Questions:Study the following sets of passages.As you do, ask yourself what it means for you to follow in Christ’s steps.What needs to happen in your life if you are to assume the offices Christ has called you to and appropriate the gifts He has given to you?

1.The Christian as Priest involved in intercession (I Cor. 7:5; II Cor. 13:9; even with those who are sick, Js. 5:15)

2.The Christian as Prophet given specific gifts (I Cor. 12-14)

3.The Christian as King envisioned in I Peter 2:9-10; Rev. 1:6 (and cf. Dan. 7:25), but note Matt. 20:25

As we conclude these lessons on “The Mind of Christ” turn for a final time to the letter to the church at Corinth and meditate on Paul’s instruction in II Cor. 3:1-2, 17-18.