Advent: Seeing Jesus

John 12:20-21

What is Advent?  It literally means “arrival.”  It has been for centuries a time that Christians laid aside to contemplate the birth of Christ.  However, suggest Advent to most folks today and you are libel to get a blank stare.  Who has two seconds they can rub together to contemplate anything in the month of December?

How about this year we do December differently?  How about this season we see Jesus in all His fullness?

John 12:20-21 reads:  “Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast.  They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”

We would like to see Jesus!  Awesome request!  Question?  How do you see Jesus?  The old hymn “Praise Him, Praise Him” has a line that says:  “Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him!  Crown Him!  Prophet and Priest and King”  That line has always intrigued me.   Turns out… it isn’t just an impressive lyric.  It is sound theology.  It is known in theological circles as the Threefold Office of the Messiah (the munus triplex).  This simply means the Jesus while he walked this earth as Messiah, performed the three functions of prophet, priest and king.

In the Old Testament, when they appointed someone into one of these three offices, it would be symbolized by pouring oil over their head (anointing them).  Now, the term Messiah, means “anointed one.”  Jesus… Messiah… the Anointed One, is the perfect fulfillment of all three positions.

I ask you again:  How do you see Jesus?

Mark Driscoll at MarsHillChurch in a sermon stated:  “When we look at Jesus in the Gospels we often find ourselves having favorite sections:  stories, sayings, etc.  Often this is because of who we are more like:

 Prophetic People love to see Jesus preaching and teaching.  Rebuking.  Quoting the OT.  Defending the truth.  When someone says “Jesus”… they picture a fiery rebel.

 Priestly People love to see Jesus feeding the hungry, healing the sick, loving the hurting.  They love it when He describes his role as being “to seek and save the lost.”  They see Jesus primarily as Savior of men.

 Kingly People love it when Jesus talks about organizational aspects of the Kingdom… when He prizes faithfulness and talks about stewardship… about thrones and His rule from Heaven.  They see Jesus primarily as Lord.

Here is the thing… we need to appreciate the fullness of who Jesus is… despite who we are or what our preferences are.  May our heart’s cry this Advent season be:  “We would like to see, Jesus!” –  As He is, not simply as we prefer Him to be.

Hail Him!  Hail Him!  Prophet and Priest and King!