Sermon: Christ the Prophet

Our Weds. Advent Services are focusing on Christ the Prophet, Christ the Great High Priest, and Christ the King:

Christ the Prophet: December 3, 2008
Office Hymn: Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord (LSB 352)
Text: Deut. 18:15-22; Acts 3:22-26


What the father’s most desired, What the prophets’ heart inspired,
What they longed for many a year, Stands fulfilled in glory here. (stanza 2)

The fulfillment that Jesus Christ brought in His flesh also fulfilled the prophetic office. That doesn’t mean that we can’t speak of a prophetic voice in the church today. It does mean that the true prophetic voice today will proclaim Christ in the flesh. He came as Prophet, Priest and King! Jesus is The Prophet.

What difference does that make? God’s prophets speak the truth and nothing but the truth! God’s prophets are spokesmen of the “Word”. Helpful in seeing this are the texts which say, “The Word of the Lord came to the prophet” or “Thus says the Lord” from the prophet’s lips.

False prophets told their hearers what they wanted to hear – like the prophets in Jeremiah’s day who said, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace”. God’s prophets told their hearers what He wanted them to hear. They spoke against pagan influences on the kings of Israel and suffered for it! They spoke oracles of judgment and captivity on idolatrous Israel and suffered for it!

The prophets of God have spoken from Adam down to John the Baptizer. This office has included Abraham and Moses and Elijah and Isaiah. The prophets of God have pointed ahead, foretelling the Messiah who would come as THE PROPHET – THE WORD FROM GOD – THE WORD OF GOD IN THE FLESH. In many and various ways God spoke to His people of old by the prophets, but now in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.

As we prepare this Advent season to celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God to redeem us, God help us to contemplate and give thanks for the fact that Jesus came as The Prophet. He who is God’s Word came to speak God’s Word – fully and finally and forever. We are to expect no other word from God than the Word made flesh!

He came to speak a word of repentance – like John the Baptizer. Jesus spoke more about the final judgment and the eternal punishment of hell than anyone else in the New Testament. He never offered a fake peace like the false prophets of Jeremiah’s day. But graciously He also came to suffer the judgment and wrath of God in our stead.

By His sacrifice, The Prophet can speak peace to us who have no peace apart from Him. It is peace the angels sang at His birth! It is peace purchased through the blood of His cross! It is peace He spoke behind locked doors on the morning of the third day. He is The Prophet who sent out apostle’s saying, “he who hears you hears me.” He is The Prophet who gives to His church pastor/teachers today through which His voice is still to be heard.

He who spoke the seas into being spoke new life into you through the washing of Holy Baptism. He who spoke light into being speaks the light of life to you even in the darkness of this dying world. As Lazarus found out, the voice of The Prophet pierces even the realm of death.

Amid all the charming voices and deceiving voices that tickle your ears this Advent season, amid all the claims and counter claims of our decaying culture, there is one voice that speaks that which is true into your ears. You can trust what Christ The Prophet says. Heaven and earth will pass away but His words will never pass away.

He speaks to you of strange blessedness; “blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. He speaks to you of carrying your cross. He speaks to you of heavenly things – “seek first the kingdom of God”. He speaks to you of earthly needs – “give us this day our daily bread”. He speaks to you of loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you. He speaks to you of His rest and refreshment, “come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. He speaks to you of having prepared a place for you to dwell with Him. He speaks to you of not “just waiting” but of waiting for Him – for He will come again for you. In the Name of Jesus - Amen.