Knowing Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest, King (John 12:12-36)

Prophet. Priest. King.

Somewhere in the 1990s, I was introduced to Christ’s “triple office.” Providentially, it was not a pastor or a theologian (John Calvin made much of Christ’s triple office) who told me that Christ was and is a prophet, priest, and king. Rather, it was by a Christian rock band, whose ministry continues today. That band was and is The Smalltown Poets.

In their song, by the same title, they lamented the fact that the presidents and potentates of this world gave them little interest. As with most of us, the children of God do not text with tycoons or golf with governors. But what we lack with the world, we recover in the Word Incarnate. As the Smalltown Poets sang, “My closet's a shrine to an old friend of mine, here I talk all the time with a prophet priest.” And again, when “misperceived by some head of state, hey, that’s great.” Why?

'Cause I talk to a prophet who tells me the truth
And I dine with a king at my home in Duluth [GA]
Better yet I'm in touch with a much needed friend
Who hears my confessions and pardons my sin.

Indeed, what a wonderful comfort that Christ is our prophet, priest, and king. And this Sunday, we will see Jesus in all of his prophetic, priestly, and royal glory.

In John 12:12–36, Jesus comes to Jerusalem as a king, but instead of reigning, he prophesies that he will offer the final sacrifice. Marvelously, he is the long expected prophet, priest, and king.

This Sunday, we will consider each of those offices and how Jesus fulfills them all.

To prepare for Sunday, take time to read John 12. Pray that God would magnify Christ in our our midst, and that as he is lifted up, we would be drawn to him.

As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday and worshiping our prophet, priest, and king.

For His Glory and your joy in Christ,
Pastor David
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Discussion & Response Questions: John 12:12 – 36
Are you familiar with Christ’s triple office — prophet, priest, and king? How does this triple office help us know Christ?
Where do we see these attributes in the Bible? In John? In John 12?
Why is the structure of John 12:12–36 hard to find? Why should we read these verses together?
What stands out in John 12:12–19?
What is the festival context for Jesus’ “triumphal entry” on Palm Sunday?
How is the Old Testament being used in this event? What is significant about the crowd’s use of Psalm 118? What are the implications of Zechariah 9:9’s fulfillment?
How do the Pharisees characterize the situation (v. 19)? How does this relate to the previous chapter?
What is the main point of John 12:20–36? How does the impending death of Christ reform our understanding of kingship?
What does Jesus say about his death? What do we learn about the cross in these verses?
What truths do we observe about Christ from this text?
How ought we to respond to these truths?