Christ Our Mediator (3)

 The Prophetical Office of Christ 

Chapter 1 – General Observations

Stevenson makes three observations. First, the prophetic office of Christ is necessary because the provision of salvation involves the communication of supernatural revelation. Also, the state of sin had caused sinners to be unable to receive even expressions of mercy from God in his absolute character, as was seen when he gave the law at Sinai to the Israelites. It was that inability that had led to the Lord promising to send them a prophet like Moses (Deut. 18:15-18). Knowledge of God is only given through his Son (John 1:18; Matt. 11:27).

Second, Jesus is suitable for the work of prophet. Since he is God, he has ‘the most perfect knowledge of his nature, perfections, and purposes’. Because he is man, his instructions, while ‘sanctioned by all the authority of the Son over his own house’, ‘are softened and sweetened by the mild graces of human nature’. We can see this when we contrast what occurred at Sinai with what took place when he expounded that law in the Sermon on the Mount, or by contrasting Sinai with what takes place now with him as the mediator (according to Hebrews 12:18-24).

The Father has given to Christ the Holy Spirit. This was prophesied by Isaiah (Isa. 11:2-3) and confirmed when he came (John 3:34). The Spirit was not only given for his own ministry, but also because through him the Spirit would be given to all the members of his mystical body. He had the Spirit from conception, and ‘as his physical powers expanded, they were continually filled up by new communications of the Spirit in his grace and gifts.’ He received the Spirit in a special way at his baptism when he commenced his public ministry.

Stevenson also observes: ‘There must have been a wonderful change produced in our Lord’s human nature, both with respect to the expansion of its physical powers, and the increase of official gifts, in his resurrection and ascension to glory, – a change suited to the high station to which he was exalted in that nature at God’s right hand, and the extensive powers assigned to him as the king of the church and head over all things for her benefit; but this also is referred to his unction with the Spirit. He “was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead;” and by this consummating act of the Spirit, in furnishing the human nature of Christ was official gifts, he is represented as raised about all other official persons who had ever appeared in the church, and to have been made both Lord and Christ.’

Third, his prophetic office has glory because of how long it will exist and how far it will reach. Regarding its existence, it began shortly after time itself with the publication of the promise of deliverance made after the Fall. He continued to speak through the patriarchal and Mosaic periods through prophets. ‘It was from him they received their commission, from him they derived their instructions, and it was to him they were indebted for their success.’ He spoke during his time on earth, and he continues to speak having ascended to heaven. ‘The grand end of our Lord’s administration as a prophet on earth, was the manifestation of God’s name, or the unfolding of his character, attributes, and purposes; and he could, when about to leave the world, appeal to his Father, that in this important work he had acted faithfully; but the continued prosecution of the same work, though not exactly in the same manner, after his resurrection and ascension to glory, was also the matter of his vows’ (John 17:25-26). And while his method of administration will be changed at his second coming, he will continue the office forever.

As far as the reach of his prophetic office is concerned, it exceeds that of all previous prophets ‘both with respect to the matter and the objects of it’. They spoke partially and mainly to one nation. He speaks the whole counsel of God and extends to people of every nation.