Priest and king combined
Opening Prayer
You are holy, God. Thank You for the unspeakable gift of opening the way into Your holy presence.
Read Zechariah 6:9-15
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[9] The word of the LORD came to me: [10] “Take silver and gold from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon. Go the same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. [11] Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jozadak. [12] Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD. [13] It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’ [14] The crown will be given to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the LORD. [15] Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the LORD, and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the LORD your God.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How is Jesus reflected here?Here is the eighth, and the last, of Zechariah’s visions. Jews who have returned from Babylon bring silver and gold. These two metals, shaped into one crown, are placed on the head of Joshua, the high priest (11). The line of King David ended with Zerubbabel, while the high priestly role continued. So the crowning of Joshua is a sign of the unifying of the priestly and royal functions—a priest shall rule on his throne (13). The coming Davidic king would also be a priest, great David’s greater son. Jesus came as a king with a kingdom unlike any other. He was hailed as a king as he rode into Jerusalem. He died with the name “King of the Jews” above his head. The writer to the Hebrews acknowledges his kingly origins (Heb. 7:14). But he was also a high priest, even though he did not come from the priestly tribe of Levi (Moses and Aaron). Find time to read Hebrews 7:11–28 and reflect on how Jesus, who has a “permanent priesthood” (24), fulfills all that is required of a higHere is the eighth, and the last, of Zechariah’s visions. Jews who have returned from Babylon bring silver and gold. These two metals, shaped into one crown, are placed on the head of Joshua, the high priest (11). The line of King David ended with Zerubbabel, while the high priestly role continued. So the crowning of Joshua is a sign of the unifying of the priestly and royal functions—a priest shall rule on his throne (13). The coming Davidic king would also be a priest, great David’s greater son.Jesus came as a king with a kingdom unlike any other. He was hailed as a king as he rode into Jerusalem. He died with the name “King of the Jews” above his head. The writer to the Hebrews acknowledges his kingly origins (Heb. 7:14). But he was also a high priest, even though he did not come from the priestly tribe of Levi (Moses and Aaron). Find time to read Hebrews 7:11–28 and reflect on how Jesus, who has a “permanent priesthood” (24), fulfills all that is required of a high priest.
Apply
Do you see Jesus more as a king or as a priest? Why does it matter that Jesus performs both roles?
Closing prayer
Lord, I bow before You, King, Priest and the sacrifice who was offered to save the world.
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