Praying the Names of God - May 10

From Praying to the Names of Jesus Week Twenty-One, Day Five

The Names
Jesus is both Priest — the One who faithfully bears us into God's presence by virtue of his self-sacrifice — and Prophet — the One who perfectly communicates God's Word to us. We are called to listen to him, to trust in his work, and to take our places as part of a kingdom of priests who in Christ Jesus offer ourselves on behalf of others. As you pray to Jesus as both Priest and Prophet, ask him to help you understand the deep meaning of these titles so that you can live out their truths in your life.

Key Scriptures
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Hebrews 4:14

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. Hebrews 1:1

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Friday
 Promises Associated with His Name

Jesus as Prophet is both the Messenger and the Message, communicating God's plan and God's heart in ways that would have startled the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. That God would pare himself to the size of a human being and then walk in a world he had created, teaching people his ways and then dying to pay the debt they owed him — this was beyond the wildest of dreams, the greatest of hopes.

And yet it happened. That's why our hope in Christ will never be disappointed no matter how difficult life in this world may become. The whole point of Christ's coming was not to make us happy for a few years on this earth but to bring us to heaven, where mansions are even now being built, where tears will certainly cease, and where the dead will rise up and live forever.

Promises in Scripture

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3, NK JV

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:31-34

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:23-25

Continued Prayer and Praise

Consider that there is one mediator between God and human beings. (1 Timothy 2:5)

Understand what it meant for Jesus to be High Priest. (Hebrews 2:14-18; 5:4-6; 7:26-9:15)

Remember your priestly call. (1 Peter 2:4-5; Revelation 1:4-6; 5:10)

Draw near to God with confidence. (Hebrews 10:19-25)

Listen to Jesus' high priestly prayer. (John 17)

Remember that the common people thought Jesus was a prophet. (Luke 24:17-24; John 6:12-15; 7:37-52)

Consider that Jesus, like all prophets, will be rejected by some. (Matthew 13:54-58; Luke 13:31-34)

Listen to him. (Matthew 17:1-5; John 3:31-36; 16:12-15; Acts 3:17-22; Hebrews 3:7-14)

Remember God's promise to pour out his Spirit. (Acts 2:14-18)

For more from Ann Spangler, please visit her blogspot on Christianity.com. And be sure to check out Ann's newest books on AnnSpangler.com. To hear more from Ann Spangler, sign up today at annspangler.substack.com.

Meet your spiritual ancestors as they really were: Less Than Perfect: Broken Men and Women of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them.