Introduction
As a prophet, Jesus Christ is “the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth,” Revelation 1:5.
Thesis
As a prophet, Jesus revealed God’s holiness and man’s sin.
Christ as Prophet: The Mission
A. The comparison of the Lord with the first prophet, Moses.
- Jesus is a prophet like Moses, yet superior, Deuteronomy 18:25, 19; Acts 3:22.
- Both Moses and Jesus were sent by God, Exodus 7-12; Deuteronomy 34:10-12; John 3:2.
- What Moses was to the Old Testament, Jesus is to the New Testament.
- Moses received the Law/Torah, but Jesus is the New Testament/Word of God.
B. The comparison of the Lord with the 8th century prophets.
- The call of the prophets were detailed; the Lord’s was called through the descent of the Holy Spirit at His baptism.
- Prophets spoke for God; Jesus spoke as God.
Christ as Prophet: The Message
A. Prophets proclaimed news about the Kingdom of God.
- The message of some Old Testament prophets: a. Amos preached about the righteousness of God. b. Hosea preached about the mercy of God. c. Isaiah preached about the holiness of God. d. Jeremiah preached about the wrath of God. e. Ezekiel preached about the glory of God.
- The message of Jesus Christ: a. In Mark, Jesus preached that the Kingdom of God was at hand, marking the end of the Law and Prophets and the beginning of the New Covenant. b. In Matthew, Jesus preached that the Kingdom of God is a time of sowing, growing, and reaping (Matthew 13). c. In Luke, Jesus preached that the Kingdom of God is fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 4:16-30; Isaiah 61:1-2).
B. Prophets performed signs of the Kingdom of God (the miracles of Jesus).
- The signs of Old Testament prophets: a. Moses: manna from heaven; water from the rock. b. Elijah: fire from heaven; prayer to control the weather. c. Isaiah: virgin with bear a son. d. Daniel: signs of the 70th week.
- The signs of Jesus: a. Jesus is the Bread from heaven; He is the living water of salvation. b. Jesus is fire from heaven; He stills the storms and walked on water. c. Jesus is the Virgin Born Son d. Jesus is the King of kings Who defeats the Antichrist.