King David was a military leader and a spiritual leader. Throughout the Old Testament, priests have a role to help connect people to God, showing the people the way to right relationship with God and offering sacrifices on behalf of the people. The kings of the Old Testament reign under the authority of God, and the best kings follow God’s laws and encourage the people to do the same.
King David was not perfect. Only Jesus was perfect. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the perfect king, King Jesus. The Psalms declare his glory. Jesus was truly priest and king. As priest, he connects us to God. As king, he directs the affairs of our life in line with God’s Word. The Psalms tell King David (and all earthly kings) how they should live, and the Psalms tell us how King Jesus lived.
Psalm 110
1 This is the declaration of the LORD to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” 2 The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion. Rule over your surrounding enemies. 3 Your people will volunteer on your day of battle. In holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, the dew of your youth belongs to you. 4 The LORD has sworn an oath and will not take it back: “You are a priest forever according to the pattern of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his anger. 6 He will judge the nations, heaping up corpses; he will crush leaders over the entire world. 7 He will drink from the brook by the road; therefore, he will lift up his head.
Jesus is King. The first three verses of Psalm 110 teach us that Jesus reigns from Mt. Zion (aka, Mt Calvary in Jerusalem). His enemies that he defeated on the cross (Satan, the demons, death, grave, hell) all are underneath Jesus’ feat. People volunteer to serve in Jesus’ kingdom. Wise people submit to his authority as king of their lives, because he is the perfect King and he knows what is best for each of us in every situation of life.
Jesus in Priest. Verse four tells us that Jesus is a priest according to the pattern of Melchizedek. Genesis 14, Hebrews 5 and Hebrews 7 are three chapters of the Bible that describe Melchizedek. He was a the priest of Salem (that is, priest of Jerusalem) and a priest of the Most High God. He was not a descendent of Aaron or Levi. His priesthood was superior to theirs. Jesus is the most superior of all High Priests, because truly his blood was shed to bring us into right relationship with God.
Jesus is Conqueror. Through his death on the cross and his glorious bodily resurrection, Jesus proved to be God-in-the-flesh and our victorious Lord. At the end of time he will reign as true King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is above all nations. And, he is the one who conquers every foe that comes against us, including sin, temptation, fear, greed, laziness, rebellion, guilt, and every other foe. Jesus, our priest and king, will help us to conquer every enemy that the devil throws against us. Jesus is the conqueror.