Articles
Pictures Of Jesus
The Psalmist gives us different pictures of Jesus. Each is important for us. Just who is this Jesus? That was the question in His day, and is the question in our day. David tells us that Jesus is King, Priest, and Judge of all the earth. Psalms 110 is one of those Psalms that helps us see Who He is.
This particular Psalm is Messianic. It speaks of David’s Lord. It is prophetic, written 1,000 years before Christ. It only contains seven verses, and yet they are packed. Psalm 110 is the Old Testament passage most frequently quoted in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit, who inspired the New Testament writers, thought this psalm to be that important!
First, Jesus is King. He is Lord and sits at the right hand. This refers to the position of Christ after His resurrection and ascension into heaven. Following His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven where He was seated at the right hand of the Father, far above all rule and authority (Eph. 1:20-22). As a proof (to Israel) of His exaltation, He sent the Holy Spirit upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:32-36). His ascension into heaven and the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit was positive proof that God had made “this Jesus whom [they] crucified both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). The one sitting at the right indicates authority or rule. Jesus, the Messiah, is risen and ascended. He sits as Lord over all at the right hand of the Father.
Second, He is Priest (v. 4). When the Lord God says something, it’s important. When He swears something, it is doubly important. When Scripture adds, “and will not change His mind,” we need to sit up and take notice! What is it that God wants us to see? That He has declared His Messiah to be “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek”(v. 4). What does this mean? All Levitical priests served limited terms of office, but Melchizedek had “neither beginning of days nor end of life.” (Heb. 7:3) When did Melchizedek's priesthood begin? There is no history, so we don’t know. What happened to his priesthood? There is nothing recorded. He didn’t get his priesthood from his father and he didn’t give it to his son. So, his priesthood is without predecessor and without successor. Therefore Melchizedek “like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.” Melchizedek’s priesthood foreshadowed Christ’s eternal priesthood. Christ’s priesthood is unending. He passes it on to no other, but because He does not die, neither does His priesthood. The Messiah, Jesus, is not just a human priest. He is God in human flesh, the only way that sinful people can draw near to God. To think correctly about Christ, we must understand that He is a divine, eternal priest between God and man after the order of Melchizedek. God has sworn it, and won’t change His mind about it. It’s that important, so don’t miss it!
Third, He is Judge (vs. 5-7). The scene shifts from God’s throne to the battlefield. Assuming the Psalmist is still speaking about the Messiah, David uses a Hebrew way of saying that the Lord is strong in the battle against His enemies. The judgment of the Lord will be complete—it will include everybody. The judgment of Jesus is going to be just and thorough. It’s not going to be done half way.
Fourth, He is victorious (vs. 7). The Son, who is the reigning King and eternal Priest, celebrates His victory. In poetic picture, “He will drink from a brook beside the way.” The battle is won. Rest and refreshment are His. In victory He lifts up His head. He is triumphant.
Here is the takeaway: this is meant to lift us up. This should encourage us. We have a King, High Priest, and Judge who is victorious. That is our Jesus. That is our Lord. So, when we read passages that say, “Do not fear”, this is why. Our Lord reigns victoriously! We too will be victorious! He has made us more than conquerors!
Age will not defeat us. Sickness will not defeat us. Adversaries will not defeat us. Circumstances will not defeat us. There is nothing under the sun that will keep us from the victory THE SON has accomplished.
Rickie Jenkins
