Jesus, The Priest-King 3-8-26 AM

I.            Jesus serves but also conquers (Ps. 110:1-3).

a.      In verse 1, we see kingship.

           i.      There is enthronement, which entails authority.

           ii.      His enemies will be brought under control.

b.      In verse 2, there will be rule in the midst of his enemies – rule while the opposition still exists.

c.       In verse 3, we see that the those who subject themselves to the king do so willingly – the NKJV says “Your people shall be volunteers in the day of your power.”

d.      These things are important to notice because the New Testament plainly uses Psalm 110 to say, “This is Jesus” – especially verse 1.

           i.      Jesus uses it about Himself (Matt. 22:41-46).

           ii.      Peter quotes it at Pentecost to get them to see Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 2:34-36)

           iii.      The book of Hebrews cites it more than once (Heb. 1:13 – to show the superiority of the Son; Heb. 10:12-13).

           iv.      Paul alludes to it in the great resurrection chapter (1 Cor. 15:25).

e.      This main point says that Jesus serves as well as conquers.

           i.      Ps. 110:1-2 shows Jesus as the conquering King – enemies are subdued, reigning on a throne, with complete victory.

           ii.      Ps. 110:3 shows His reign produces willing surrender of a people to be His, who offer themselves.

           iii.      This is how Jesus described His own Kingship (Mk. 10:45).

           iv.      The conquest is through the cross (Col. 2:13-15).

f.        In WWII, there was a tremendous victory we know as D-Day.

           i.      This victory set the final outcome of the war in motion.

           ii.      However, we know there were still many more battles to be fought.

g.      Later, there is the final day of that part of the conflict, known as V-E Day.

h.      Psalm 110 pictures for us that “already but not yet” reality.

           i.      Jesus reigns now in the midst of His enemies.

           ii.      His victory is certain even while spiritual conflict still continues.

i.        Jesus served us on the cross while also conquering death.

II.            Jesus intercedes but also reigns (Ps. 110:1, 4).

a.      Jesus is enthroned at the Father’s right hand in verse 1.

b.      Verse 4 brings thrilling news that Jesus is also a priest forever after the order, or likeness, of Melchizedek.

           i.      Kings and priests were separated for a reason.

           ii.      Power and access together is dangerous in sinful hands.

           iii.      God swears an oath – this Priest-King is trustworthy, permanent, and final.

c.       The book of Hebrews builds the priesthood of Jesus almost entirely on this line of thought.

           i.      Heb. 5:5-6 shows Jesus did not appoint Himself as priest; God did.

           ii.      Heb. 7:17 quotes Ps. 110:4 to argue Jesus is a priest forever.

           iii.      Heb. 7:21 quotes the oath language to show the certainty and superiority of the priesthood of Jesus.

d.      Jesus is reigning now.

           i.      All authority has been given Him (Mt. 28:18).

           ii.      Peter showed in Acts 2:34-36.

e.      Jesus is also interceding now; doing the work of a priest.

           i.      Heb. 7:23-25.

           ii.      Rom. 8:34.

           iii.      1 John 2:1-2.

f.        In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus tells Peter that He has prayed for him, that his faith would not fail.

           i.      Peter stumbles, doesn’t he?

           ii.      But he is not destroyed.

           iii.      That is priestly intercession.

g.      Think about that in terms of Psalm 110 – Jesus is not interceding from weakness – He is interceding as the enthroned King!

h.      Sometimes when we stumble and fall, we might think “I’m done. God can’t use me anymore. I’ve used up God’s patience.”

          i.      Remember Psalm 110 and the book of Hebrews combined.

          ii.      Together they show us our hope is not in our strength.

          iii.      Our hope is that we have a Priest-King who is permanent is presently interceding for us.

i.        Right now, Jesus reigns from the throne and He speaks our names from that throne.

III.            Jesus saves but also judges (Ps. 110:5-7).

a.      Verses 5-6 tell us that Jesus will strike through, or execute kings and fill the land with dead bodies.

           i.      This is not soft language.

           ii.      The Priest-King will deal with evil publicly and finally.

b.      Verse 7 tells us that Jesus will be relentless in His pursuit and will have certain victory – He will only pause to press on the fight.

c.       There are several New Testament passages that connect Jesus to judgment.

           i.      John 5:22-29.

           ii.      Acts 17:31.

           iii.      2 Cor. 5:10.

d.      It is also important to note that while Jesus judges, He also brings salvation.

           i.      The priesthood of Ps. 110:4 is what makes Ps. 110:5-6 good news for those who repent.

           ii.      Heb. 7:26-27 – Jesus offers Himself once for all.

           iii.      Heb. 10:12-14 – after offering one sacrifice, He sat down and His people have Him as Priest.

           iv.      This passage shows a completed sacrifice and subdued enemies, just as Ps. 110 foretells.

e.      This idea of saving but also judging is not new to God.

           i.      We see it in the account of His people leaving Egypt.

           ii.      God saves those under the blood and judges those that are not (Ex. 12).

           iii.      Israel is saved going through the Red Sea and Egypt is judged in the Red Sea (Ex. 14).

f.        That is Psalm 110 in motion – the Priest-King saves truly and the Priest-King judges truly.

g. The Priest-King will either be our refuge from judgment – or our Judge.