CHRIST GLORIFIED BY THE FATHER
Tuesday – October 3, 2017
I am sure that you are noticing that God is using lots of Scripture space to talk about our High Priest, Christ Jesus. This is not me “dragging” it out but God driving this very important Truth home, hopefully deep within our heart. Much is made of the idea that since Calvary and the tearing of the veil (represents sinful flesh) separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place each of us have come into the presence of our Father. While that is the Truth, it is also true that we did not and could not come alone, Christ is always with us. Now let’s take a few moments to slowly and thoughtfully read our primary text from the wonderful Book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 5:5-10 (KJV)
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Isn’t the Word of God wonderful!? Who is Christ? Is that Jesus’ last name? Recall that depending upon the context the word “Christ” can be interpreted as Messiah, the Anointed One, and/or the Anointing. Jesus’ earthly ministry was in unison with the Holy Spirit (The Anointing). The Holy Spirit was present at the initiation of the New Blood Covenant with Abram, He was at the Cross, He went into Hell with Jesus, He was with Jesus in Paradise (Bosom of Abraham) and He is the Power of the resurrection and restoration of Jesus as God. It is the same with us, He (The Holy Spirit) is the one that quickened our dead soul, in our submission (humbled under the mighty Hand of God) He is the One that gives us victory, He is the one that supplies the Power for our God directed ministry, and He is the One who will transform our mortal bodies at the resurrection to be as our Lord. Of course, the Holy Spirit does much more but that short list should give us a reason to burst with joy. Back to my original question, from our text (Hebrews 5:5), who is the word “Christ” referring to specifically? In this case we are referring to the Anointed One which is Jesus empowered of the Holy Spirit.
Our text tells us that Christ did not appoint Himself to be our eternal High Priest but He was appointed by the Father. We know that by context, Hebrews chapter one, and Psalm one-hundred ten. What about this phrase; “Christ glorified not himself”? The glory of God is always observable in the natural and is a manifestation of God the Holy Spirit. Examples would be the cloud that led the Israelites by day and the fire that led them by night. The tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost is another example. The healings recorded in Scripture are manifestations of the glory, the goodness, of God. The manifestations of the glory of God are always good and are a manifestation of the Glory of God which is the Holy Spirit. Let’s take a look at this in a few other Bible translations and we will see that the bottom line message is that Jesus did not exalt or promote Himself but He was promoted or exalted into this position by the Father.
Hebrews 5:5 (AMP)
5 So too Christ (the Messiah) did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed and exalted by Him Who said to Him, You are My Son; today I have begotten You;
Hebrews 5:5 (GW)
5 So Christ did not take the glory of being a chief priest for himself. Instead, the glory was given to him by God, who said, “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”
Hebrews 5:5 (MSG)
5 Neither did Christ presume to set himself up as high priest, but was set apart by the One who said to him, “You’re my Son; today I celebrate you!”
Given our understanding that the glory of God or being glorified is always good and is a lifting up or if you will a promotion, let’s look at what Jesus said to the Father as He prayed just a few hours before the Cross.
John 17:1-5 (KJV)
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
Jesus knew He was returning to Heaven, for all intents and purposes His job in the earth was done, although not done physically in time, it was done. He is speaking His future which is for Him to be returned to the Throne of Heaven as God. He has honored, promoted, exalted the Father through His earthly ministry and now it is time for the Father to perform the Word established from the foundation of the world concerning Jesus.
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
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