Who Are We

Thursday January 22, 2015

Zechariah lived out a twofold identity as both priest and prophet. The grandon of the priest Iddo and the head priest of his family (Zechariah 1:1; Nehemiah 12:1,16), he was prophetically called to encourage the people of Judah with God´s words (Zechariah 1:13-17). In addition, he told them to repent (vv. 3-4), renew their efforts for God (8:12-13) and follow His ways (7:8-10).

The vital mission of Zechariah reveals a portion of the threefold mission of every believer in Jesus -  to be a prophet, priest and king. Tim Keller writes about this tri-fold purpose in his book Center Church : Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City. Here are the points Tim presents :

1. Every believer is a prophet. Joel 2:28-29 describes the time when the Holy Spirit would come on all believers and they would prophesy. This took place on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13). And now all believers are called to prophesy - to clearly present GOd´s truth to others so they might repent and follow Him.

2. Every believer is a priest. Peter wrote that believers in Jesus are "royal priests" (1 Peter 2:9). Following the example of Jesus our "great High Priest" (Hebrews 4:14-16), we´re to minister to others in loving and sympathetic ways.

3. Every believer is a king. Scripture reveals that we reign with Jesus as both kings and priests (Ephesians 2:6; Revelation 1:5-6). And all believers should therefore battle against the world, the flesh and the devil, while also speaking the truth in love to fellow believers (Ephesians 4:15).

Zechariah was careful to reveal God´s words during his time on earth. As prophets, priests and kings established in Jesus, may we do the same during ours! - Tom Felten

Read
Zechariah 1:1-17
In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo :
"The Lord was very angry with your forefathers. Therefore tell the people : This is what the Lord Almighty says : 'Return to me,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'and I will return to you', says the Lord Almighty. Do not be like your forefathers, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed : This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.' But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Where are your forefathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your forefathers?"
"Then they repented and said, 'The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.' "
On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo.
During the night I had a vision - and there before me was a man riding a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.
I asked, "What are these, my lord?"
The angel who was talking with me answered, "I will show you what they are."
Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, "They are the ones the Lord has sent to go throughout the earth."
And they reported to the angel of the Lord, who was standing among the myrtle trees, "We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace."
Then the angel of the Lord said, "Lord Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years?" So the Lord spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.
Then the angel who was speaking to me said, "Proclaim this word : This is what the Lord Almighty says : 'I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they added to the calamity.'"
"Therefore, this is what the Lord says : ' I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,' declares the Lord Almighty.
"Proclaim further : This is what the Lord Almighty says: ' My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.' "

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God´s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God´s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will

Question to Ponder
How does it affect you to realise that you´re a prophet, priest and king in God´s eyes?
Which of these three roles do you need to grow in? 
How will you do so?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue