The War of the Priesthood

Here is the revised introduction to my upcoming book on the priesthood. This intro offers an overview of Jesus' conquest over Satan and how the priestly work of Jesus was established from his birth.

When our Jesus entered the scene of first-century Palestine, he entered it nakedly as a babe sheltered by a manger. He humbled himself by dressing in human flesh for us and our salvation (Gal. 4:4). He was born of a virgin in total dependence on motherly nurture and trained in Israel's history and liturgy from his earliest days. Thus, he grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man (Lk. 2:52). He embodied the theology of Israel and Israel's God. The nurture and admonition he received built a particular disposition--a template for warfare against everything that opposed the worship of Yahweh. He was Israel’s great defender; indeed, he was the true Israelite from the line of David. As the hymn-writer says, “David’s Son, yet David’s Lord.”

The God-Man matured for Israel’s sake. For 30 years, he pursued righteousness, submitting to the laws of his forefathers in circumcision (Lk. 2:21), celebrating the history of his people at Passover (Lk. 2:41) and following his father’s profession as a carpenter (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). Now, he must be about his father’s business.

His cousin, John the Forerunner, comes from the desert to prepare the way for this catechized Israelite. To confirm his calling as the ordained priest of Israel, Jesus was baptized by the greatest of all prophets (Lk. 7:28). When he went into the water, the Spirit descended upon him like a dove, the heavens opened, and all heavenly grace was poured on Israel’s King. In baptism, Jesus put on royal clothing, with two royal witnesses affirming his call—The Father and the Spirit. The Triune God gathered for Israel’s most noble ordination service.