Be Encouraged to Ministry by the King-Priest

“Take even silver, and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak the high Priest, and speak unto him, saying, ‘Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, and saith, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch, and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the Temple of the Lord. Even he shall build the Temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne, and he shall be a Priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both”’” (Zechariah 6:11-13, Geneva Bible).

In the midst of a pretty discouraging time for God’s covenant people, He highlighted one of His faithful servants by the preaching of the prophet, using Jehozadak’s dedication to the Lord’s ministry as an illustration of the coming King-Priest Jesus Christ, the object of their faith, the hope of their confession, and their righteously-ruling Savior. “For this Melchizedek was King of Salem, the Priest of the most high God...after the similitude of Melchizedek, there is risen up another Priest, which is not made Priest after the Law of the carnal commandment, but after the power of the endless life. For He testifieth thus, ‘Thou art a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek’...this Man, because He endureth ever, hath a Priesthood, which cannot pass from one to another. Wherefore, He is able also perfectly to save them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth, to make intercession for them. For such an high Priest it became us to have, which is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:1,15-17,24-26).

Is He your Savior (Priest) and Lord (King) today?

May His rule and mediation/intercession/ministry be evident in your life to His glory! “Therefore give even all diligence thereunto: join moreover virtue with your faith: and with virtue, knowledge: And with knowledge, temperance: and with temperance, patience: and with patience, godliness: And with godliness, brotherly kindness: and with brotherly kindness, love. For if these things be among you, and abound, they will make you that ye neither shall be idle, nor unfruitful in the acknowledging of our Lord Jesus Christ...wherefore, brethren, give rather diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. For by this means an entering shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: to Him be glory both now and for evermore. Amen” (2 Peter 1:5-8,10,11; 3:18).

Our faithfulness to the King-Priest Jesus may not give us great victories clearly seen by the entire Christ-hating world, but He may use your service to point His people to His own glory. By ministering to His people, you minister to Him. We serve not ourselves, but His kingdom, when we grow in knowledge/imitation of His character in obedience to His commands over our lives. He is building His Temple through you, brothers and sisters. Get your eyes off the discouragements of the world and onto Him. See your King-Priest and allow Him to fill more and more of your vision, words, thoughts, motivations, actions, and purpose. Exalt Him with all you are by faith. May you be Jehozadak wherever He has you...an illustration of His own eternal and powerful ministry in the midst of a dark and overwhelming world.

To Him be the glory both now and forevermore!