Jesus - the King, the High Priest and the perfect Passover sacrifice.
Napolean Hill, writer of "Think and Grow Rich", in his 1960 book, writes about how Henry Ford discovered an innovative V-8 engine which is used in aeroplanes and many other automobiles. Such a genius, years ago, while on his way back home in his car, saw a model T-Ford car broke down on the side of the road. The car owner was intensely working out on the car, unsuccessfully trying to get it started. Henry Ford pulled over to help this man. He looked at the engine, worked on it for just a minute and told the T-Ford owner to start it up now. The car immediately started with no problem. The owner of the car asked in amazement, "how did you fix the car so quickly and how did you know what it needed?" The man answered, "I am Henry Ford. I built this car. I know what makes it work."
We were been listening to this sermon illustration since long time from now. Whether Henry Ford did this or not is insignificant. But his geniusness made him an owner as well as an expertise in the field of mechanism too.
The author of "The Epistle to the Hebrews", writes concerning Jesus as the King as well as the High priest. "For this Melchizedek, king of Salem (Jerusalem), priest of God Most High.." (Hebrews 7:1, Genesis 14:18). Drawing parallels between Melchizedek and Jesus Christ, the author tries to prove that indeed Jesus Christ is the true King as well as the true High priest. Flavius Josephus, in his "The Wars of Jews", Book 7.10.1.438, writing about Melchizedek says, "..was a potent man among the Canaanites, and is on our tongue called [Melchizedek], the Righteous King for such he really was; on which account he was [there] the first priest of God, and first built a temple [there], and called the city Jerusalem, which was formerly called Salem".
Even before somebody was appointed to be a king, God wanted himself to be the King first, even before somebody was appointed to be a high priest, God himself was the High priest.
Truly Jesus is the King. It was the Lord who wanted to be the King over the rescued people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. "When the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah" (1Samuel 8:4), they asked to appoint a king to judge them the same way as all the other nations have (v5). Considering this as a wrong move, Samuel prayed over to the Lord, and the Lord told him, "they have rejected me as their king" (1Samuel 8:7).
Since Jesus and the Lord are one and the same, as we know this from Jesus words itself, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30), and answering to Philip's question, to show them the Father, Jesus replies, "he that has seen Me has seen the Father.. Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?" (John 14:9, 11).
●After his arrest, Jesus was questioned by the high priest, "Are you the Messiah/Christ", (Matt 26:63, Mk 14:61, Lk 22:67) to which Jesus answered "I am", (Mk14:62), and continued even "if I tell you, ye will not believe", (Lk 22:67).
●Then in the council, they asked, "Art thou the Son of God? And He said unto them, Ye say that I am" (Lk 22:70).
●Then Jesus was presented before the governor Pilate. Pilate questions Jesus, "Art thou the King of Jews?" (Matt 27:11, Mk 15:2, Lk 23:3, Jn 18:33), to which "Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world, ..my Kingdom is not from here"". To this Pilate asked again, "You are a king then?", Jesus answered, "You say that I'm a king" (Jn 18:36,37).
●Before taking Jesus for Crucifixion, "they (soldiers) put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of throns and set it on him. ...put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. ..And they knelt down before him and ...began to salute him, ..mocked him: Hail King of the Jews". (Matt 27:28,29; Mk 15:17,18; Jn 19:2,3).
●It doesn't end there, the soldiers stripped (Matt 27:28) of Jesus clothes and clothed (Jn 19:2) [dressed (Matt 27:28; Mk 15:17)] him with Scarlet (Matt 27:28) [gk kokkinos; {and also called gk chalmus}]; or with Purple (Mk 15:17; Jn 19:2) [gk porphura, porphuros] robe. Apart from the origin and making of this cloth, which looks like crimson or purple or reddish purple in colour, which represents the one who wore it as a person of high rank with an indication that he was assuming a magistracy and a wealthy person.
●Adding to this, a "titilus", a wooden placard which was placed above the cross reading, "This is Jesus, the King of the jews", (Matt 27:37, Mk 15:26, Lk 23:38, Jn 19:21). Although all the gospels say it differently, because of the three different writings on the titilus in three different languages, Aramaic, Latin and Greek (Jn 19:21), highlighting the word "King".
●Even at the verge of his life, Jesus was trying to fullfill all the prophecies concerned about him (Jn 19:28). Fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah 9:6-7, and Daniel 7:13-14, Jesus in his clear conscience accepts though passively, that He has a Kingdom of his own and He is the King of that Kingdom. Revelation 21st to 22:5 Chapters defines how His Kingdom is going to be and in His Kingdom He is exalted as "the Lord of lords, and the King of kings", (Rev 17:14).
To this end it was easy to prove with the help of biblical passages that Jesus is King.
On contrary to purple or scarlet robe, when Jesus was presented before Herod Antipas, "..Herod with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked him, dressed him in bright clothing / gorgeous robe, and sent him back to Pilate" (Lk 23:11). This gorgeous cloth in greek is, "lampros", which meant shining, bright, radiant, resplendent, clear, white, dazzling raiment. The meaning of white is derived from the fact that whiteness arises from composition of the luminous rays of all other colors.
I'm trying to construct a connection between the bright or gorgeous clothing with the priestly garments of the Old Testament.
Exodus 28:5,6 reads regarding the Priestley garments, "Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen". Lenin in Hebrew is "ses" and in Chaldee dictionary is "shesh", which is rendered as alabaster as well, a fine grained translucent variety of gypsum; and the Chaldee dictionary is more clear in deriving it's meaning, bleached stuff, i.e. white lenin or by analogy marble.
Till now we have analyzed about the kingly and the priestly garments. We have also analyzed how Jesus is true King. Now let's dive a little deeper how we can derive to the true meaning of Jesus Priestlyhood and how the sufferings of Jesus Christ before his Crucifixion are related to his priestlyhood.
Other than the Sanhedrin, Jesus was judged before Pilate, the governor of Judea and Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Jesus was taken to governor's "Common Hall" (Matt 27:27) / "Praetorium" (Mk 15:16) / "the Judgement Hall" (Jn 18:28), where all speak of one place in common. It is better for us to understand a little more about this place before we go any further.
Although the prominent city of Judea is Jerusalem, "the residence of the procurator or governor was at Caesarea (Maritama). On special occasions especially during the chief feasts, when, on the account of the crowds of the people that streamed into Jerusalem, particularly careful oversight was necessary, the procurator went up to Jerusalem, and resided then in what had been the palace of Herod. The Praetorium at Jerusalem, in which Pilate was staying at the time of the trail and condemnation of Jesus Christ, is therefore just the well known palace of Herod, on the west side of the city", writes Emil Schurer and John Macperson in "A history of Jewish people in the time of Jesus Christ".
Spiros Zodhiates, in his Greek dictionary, writing about the meaning of Greek "Praitorion", or Latin Praetorium, "the great and magnificent palace of Herod at Jerusalem built at northern part of the upper city, westward of the temple and overlooking it, ..In this palace the Roman Procurators whose headquarters were probably at Caesarea Maritime, took up their residence when they visited Jerusalem".
Herod the Great has built the Herod's palace, which today is called Tower of David, it is also a garrison where soldiers stationed. Herod also built Antonia fortress in honour of "his friend, and the Roman ruler, and then gave it the name of the Tower of Antonia".
Probably you might be thinking why am I going through all this extensive study on a place, and what is this in connection with the subject of priestlyhood?
Please bear with me for a little more of this eloberate study, I'm sure you will be more excited of knowing this for good.
Now let's jump in..
There is a connection with the buildings of Herod the Great with the Priestlyhood of Jesus [atleast from my understanding]. As read above we know that the "Tower of David" and "Antonia fortress" are connected with the suffering and the judgement of Jesus. In one of the buildings Herod Antipas stayed, while Pilate came from Caesarea Maritime and stayed in the other building. Both are in Jerusalem for the Passover festival, one with political reasons and the later with the duty of an Overseer. It is ambiguous where both Herod Antipas and Pilate had stayed. Some theologians say that Herod Antipas stayed in Antonia fortress while as per the above quoted reading governor Pilate stayed in Herod's palace (Tower of David). But some Study Bibles suggest that Pilate stayed at Antonia fortress, because he has come to Jerusalem on duty as an Overseer to watchover that no disturbance might take place in the Passover festival, because millions of people throng in the premises of the Temple and in the city Jerusalem as well. Eusebius, the Church Historian, "numbers that there might be three million, in the Temple who are eligible for giving sacrifices other than people with leprosy and menstrual women". To oversee such a vast crowd, Pilate had to stay very close to the Temple. Antonia fortress is one such building which is almost attached with the Temple and a ready garrison with full of soldiers, who are ready to rush in through an opening into the Temple when needed. And my convection is that Pilate stayed in Antonia fortress, because Pilate had sent Jesus for flogging (Matt 27:26; Mk 15:15; Jn 19:1), before handing over him to be crucified.
The crux of the subject is that Jesus has to be connected with the duty of a High Priest before himself becoming a perfect Passover sacrifice to the Lord. Without a High Priest there will be no sacrifice. So Jesus has to have a definite connection with Priestlyhood before going to Golgotha, which is He (Jesus) has to be donned with Priestly garments. As read above "Herod with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, mocked him, dressed him in bright clothing / gorgeous robe, and sent him back to Pilate" (Lk 23:11), which we have connected this with priestly garments in Exodus 28:5,6. But while Pilate had sent over Jesus to be flogged at Antonia fortress, soldiers clothed Jesus with scarlet (Matt 27:28) or with purple (Mk 15:17; Jn 19:2) robe, which is a representation of highly order. How can we justify now Jesus with Priestly garments before going to be crucified at Calvary.
To justify this fact one has to go through an extensive study of the below reading from the writings of Josephus -
"Now on the north side [of the temple] was built a citadel, whose walls were square, and strong, and of extraordinary firmness. This citadel was built by the kings of the Asamonean race, who were also high priests before Herod, and they called it the Tower, in which were reposited the vestments of the high priest, which the high priest only put on at the time when he was to offer sacrifice. These vestments king Herod kept in that place; and after his death they were under the power of the Romans, until the time of Tiberius Caesar; under whose reign Vitellius, the president of Syria, when he once came to Jerusalem, and had been most magnificently received by the multitude, he had a mind to make them some requital for the kindness they had shewn him; so, upon their petition to have those holy vestments in their own power, he wrote about them to Tiberius Caesar, who granted his request: and this their power over the sacerdotal vestments continued with the Jews till the death of king Agrippa; but after that, Cassius Longinus, who was president of Syria, and Cuspius Fadus, who was procurator of Judea, enjoined the Jews to reposit those vestments in the tower of Antonia, for that they ought to have them in their power, as they formerly had. However, the Jews sent ambassadors to Claudius Caesar, to intercede with him for them; upon whose coming, king Agrippa, junior, being then at Rome, asked for and obtained the power over them from the emperor, who gave command to Vitellius, who was then commander in Syria, to give it them accordingly. Before that time they were kept under the seal of the high priest, and of the treasurers of the temple; which treasurers, the day before a festival, went up to the Roman captain of the temple guards, and viewed their own seal, and received the vestments; and again, when the festival was over, they brought it to the same place, and showed the captain of the temple guards their seal, which corresponded with his seal, and reposited them there. And that these things were so, the afflictions that happened to us afterwards [about them] are sufficient evidence. But for the tower itself, when Herod the king of the Jews had fortified it more firmly than before, in order to secure and guard the temple, he gratified Antonius, who was his friend, and the Roman ruler, and then gave it the name of the Tower of Antonia."
The Works of Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, Book 15, Chapter 11.4.403-409.
And with almost the same content in another book from same source -
"But Vitellius came into Judea, and went up to Jerusalem. It was at the time of that festival, which is called the passover. Vitellius was there magnificently received, and released the inhabitants of Jerusalem from all the taxes upon the fruits that were bought and sold: and gave them leave to have the care of the High Priest’s vestments, with all their ornaments; and to have them under the custody of the priests in the temple. Which power they used to have formerly: although at this time they were laid up in the tower of Antonia, the citadel so called: and that on the occasion following. There was one of the [High] Priests, named Hyrcanus; and as there were many of that name, he was the first of them. This man built a tower near the temple: and when he had so done, he generally dwelt in it; and had these vestments with him: because it was lawful for him alone to put them on: and he had them there reposited when he went down into the city; and took his ordinary garments. The same things were continued to be done by his sons, and by their sons after them. But when Herod came to be King, he rebuilt this tower, which was very conveniently situated, in a magnificent manner: and because he was a friend to Antonius, he called it by the name of Antonia. And as he found these vestments lying there, he retained them in the same place: as believing that while he had them in his custody, the people would make no innovations against him. The like to what Herod did, was done by his son Archelaus, who was made King after him. After whom the Romans, when they entred on the government, took possession of these vestments of the High Priest; and had them reposited in a stone chamber, under the seal of the priests, and of the keepers of the temple: the captain of the guard lighting a lamp there every day. And seven days before a festival they were delivered to them by the captain of the guard. When the High Priest, having purified them, and made use of them, laid them up again in the same chamber where they had been laid up before, and this the very next day after the feast was over. This was the practice at the three yearly festivals, and on the fast day. But Vitellius put those garments into our own power, as in the days of our forefathers; and ordered the captain of the guard not to trouble himself to enquire where they were laid, or when they were to be used. And this he did as an act of kindness, to oblige the nation to him."
The Works of Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Chapter 4.3.90-95.
From the above reading, you should have almost got my point, that the Antonia fortress was the place where the High Priest's garments are kept. According to the Gospel of John, the Passover festival was on that very day (Jn 18:28), and the following day after crucifixion is mentioned as preparation day (Matt 27:62, Mk 15:42 and Lk 23:54). So the flogging of Jesus took place in Antonia fortress where the priestly garments are kept. Though Jesus hasn't worn them, the garments were there in the fortress while Jesus was getting whipped. Spiros Zodhiates, writing under "archiereús [749]", says that "When, however, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies on the day of atonement, he laid aside his ceremonial robes and wore only lenin garments - coat or tunic, breeches, gridle, and turban (Lev. 16:4, 23, 32)." We are certainly aware that Jesus' clothes were stripped off before His flogging and before His crucifixion on the Cross too. It was almost like Jesus was facing the priestly garments that were kept aside by the High Priest before entering the Holy of Holies at the time of His flogging. And this is where Jesus had a connection with the priestly garments. And from there on onto Calvary He became a perfect Passover sacrifice.
The Epistle to the Hebrews, 7th chapter ratifies that Jesus is the High Priest and the Passover lamb, "Even though the Law of Moses says that the priests must be descendants of Levi, those priests cannot make anyone perfect. So there needs to be a priest like Melchizedek, rather than one from the priestly family of Aaron. ..Everyone knows He came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never said that priests would come from that tribe. All of this becomes clearer, when someone who is like Melchizedek is appointed to be like priest. That person wasn't appointed because of his ancestors, but because His life can never end. The Scriptures say about Him, You are a priest forever, just like Melchizedek. ..There have been a lot of other priests, and all of them have died. But Jesus will never die, and so He will be a priest forever! He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because He always lives to speak to God for them. ..he is better than any other high priest. Jesus doesn't need to offer sacrifices each day for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. He offered a sacrifice once for all, when He gave Himself. The Law appoints priests who have weaknesses. But God's promise, which came later than the Law, appoints His Son. And He is the perfect High Priest forever." (v11-28).
1Corinthians 5:7 says, "For Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed".
1John 2:1-2, "..we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." An advocate who intercedes for us (Heb 7:25).
Hence, Jesus is our King, our High Priest and our only perfect Passover sacrifice too.
We still have Hope.
*All the Scriptures taken from KJV, NIV, CSB, and CEV.
*Pictures from NIV Life Application Study Bible.
