Jesus: The Divine King and Compassionate Priest

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus is Both Divine and Human King

Jesus is not just a descendant of David, but is both fully human and fully divine, enthroned at the right hand of God and ruling with authority that surpasses all earthly expectations. He does not fit into the boxes we create for him, but instead calls us to surrender to his agenda and recognize his true identity as the Messiah we need, not just the one we want. When we try to make Jesus into our own image or limit him to a role that serves our desires, we miss the fullness of who he is—our Lord, our King, and our God. [01:04:05]

Psalm 110:1-2 (ESV)
The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!

Reflection: In what ways have you tried to fit Jesus into your own expectations or agenda, and how might you open your heart to who he truly is as both divine and human King?

Day 2: Jesus is the Just King and Compassionate Priest

Jesus uniquely combines the roles of king and priest, embodying both perfect justice and boundless compassion. As king, he represents God to the people, enacting justice and righteousness; as priest, he represents the people to God, offering mercy, forgiveness, and advocacy. On the cross, these two roles meet—God’s justice is satisfied and his mercy is poured out, making Jesus the only one who can truly judge and yet also intercede for us with gentleness and understanding. [01:10:18]

Psalm 110:4 (ESV)
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to experience both the justice and the compassion of Jesus, and how can you invite him to be both your King and your Priest today?

Day 3: Jesus Transforms Us to Be Royal Priests

Through Jesus, we are not only forgiven but transformed into a royal priesthood—people who boldly proclaim his kingdom and compassionately serve others. We are called to live as citizens of his kingdom, representing him with both courage and love, proclaiming the good news and caring for the marginalized, the poor, and those who are different from us. This new identity empowers us to live differently, reflecting the beauty and mission of Jesus in our world. [01:21:04]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can boldly encourage or compassionately serve this week as a reflection of your calling as part of God’s royal priesthood?

Day 4: Jesus Fills the World with New Life, Not Death

Unlike earthly deliverers who conquered by force, Jesus fills the world not with destruction but with new, transformed lives—his body, the Church. He turns enemies into friends, brings the dead to life, and calls us to join his mission of spreading hope, love, and reconciliation. Our participation in his kingdom is not about power over others, but about being agents of his resurrection life wherever we go. [01:20:26]

Ephesians 1:20-23 (ESV)
…that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can bring new life or reconciliation into a relationship or situation that feels broken or hostile?

Day 5: Surrendering to the True Jesus

To truly follow Jesus, we must let go of our attempts to control or define him and instead surrender to his will, seeking to know him as he truly is. This means opening our hearts to be transformed, allowing our perspectives to shift, and passionately pursuing a relationship with the living Christ who is both greater and more beautiful than we can imagine. As we do, we reflect his kingdom and invite others to encounter the real Jesus through our lives. [01:24:51]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God inviting you to surrender more fully to him, and what step can you take today to respond to that invitation?

Sermon Summary

Psalm 110 stands as a hidden treasure in the Old Testament, a passage that shaped the very foundation of the early church’s understanding of Jesus. While it may not be the most quoted or embroidered verse in our homes today, it was the heartbeat of the New Testament writers, referenced more than any other Old Testament passage. This psalm reveals the true identity of Jesus: not just as a descendant of David, but as David’s Lord—both fully human and fully divine. He is the King who sits at the right hand of God, sharing in God’s authority and power, and yet He is also the compassionate High Priest, forever interceding for us.

The psalm’s opening lines challenge our tendency to put Jesus in a box of our own making. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day wanted a Messiah who would fit their political and cultural expectations, but Jesus refused to be reduced to their agenda. He is not simply a good teacher or a symbol of love; He is the living, personal God with His own will and kingdom. To follow Him is to surrender our own agendas and align ourselves with His.

Psalm 110 also unveils the paradox at the heart of the gospel: Jesus is both King and Priest. In Israel’s history, these roles were always separate—kings ruled with justice, priests offered compassion and intercession. Yet in Jesus, these two offices are united. He is the just ruler who enacts God’s judgment, and the merciful priest who advocates for us, offering forgiveness and grace. On the cross, justice and mercy meet perfectly: sin is punished, but sinners are forgiven. The cross becomes both the throne of God and the altar of His mercy.

Finally, this psalm calls us to transformation. Jesus is not a deliverer who fills the world with defeated enemies, but one who fills the world with new life—His own body, the church. As His followers, we are called to be both royal and priestly: boldly proclaiming His kingdom and compassionately serving those around us. Our mission is to reflect the beauty of Jesus, living as citizens of His kingdom and advocates for His mercy in a world that desperately needs both truth and grace.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, the true King who sits at God’s right hand. This challenges us to move beyond a domesticated or depersonalized view of Jesus. He is not simply a figurehead or a moral example, but the living Lord who calls us to surrender our lives and agendas to His greater kingdom. [64:05]
2. The union of King and Priest in Jesus reveals the fullness of God’s character. In Him, justice and mercy are not in competition but are perfectly held together. He is the judge who enacts justice and the priest who offers compassion and forgiveness, showing us that true leadership in God’s kingdom is both strong and tender. [70:18]
3. The cross is where God’s justice and mercy meet. On the cross, Jesus bears the punishment for sin, satisfying divine justice, while simultaneously offering forgiveness and new life to all who trust in Him. This “great exchange” is the heart of the gospel and the foundation for our hope. [74:48]
4. Jesus transforms His followers into a royal priesthood. We are called to live as both kings and priests: boldly proclaiming the good news of His kingdom, and compassionately serving and advocating for the marginalized and broken. Our lives are to be marked by both courage and kindness, reflecting the character of Christ. [81:04]
5. True discipleship means refusing to put Jesus in a box and seeking to know Him as He truly is. We are invited to continually open our hearts to the real Jesus, allowing Him to challenge, transform, and lead us. Our mission is to embody His kingdom—proclaiming truth, showing mercy, and living with a passion that points others to the beauty of Christ. [84:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - Jesus, Lamb of God: Opening Worship
[05:05] - Trading Sorrows for Joy
[11:57] - Entering God’s Presence
[15:01] - The Spirit of the Lord and Healing
[20:25] - Service Introduction & Acts 17 Reflection
[22:09] - “You Are Worthy of Your Name” Worship
[27:57] - The Battle Belongs to God
[32:06] - Posture in Worship & Freedom
[33:47] - God With Us: Worship and Testimony
[39:06] - Greeting, Announcements, and Offering
[42:36] - Meet Elder Jordan Bleecker
[46:16] - Encouragement for Elders & Community
[50:43] - Introduction to Psalm 110
[54:32] - Reading and Exploring Psalm 110
[56:25] - Jesus: Divine and Human King
[65:57] - Jesus: Just King and Compassionate Priest
[75:26] - Jesus: The Transformative King
[81:04] - Our Calling: Royal Priesthood
[84:14] - Prayer and Closing Challenge
[85:51] - Standing in God’s Love: Closing Worship
[89:12] - Prayer Ministry & Farewell

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 110 (ESV) —
> 1 The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
>
> 2 The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!
>
> 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.
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> 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
>
> 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.
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> 6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth.
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> 7 He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 110, what two roles does the Messiah hold, and how are they described in the passage? ([55:13])
In the sermon, what was the significance of David calling the Messiah “my Lord” instead of “my son”? ([01:01:31])
How did the religious leaders of Jesus’ day react when Jesus quoted Psalm 110 to them, and why? ([01:02:45])
What is unique about the “order of Melchizedek” mentioned in verse 4, and how does the sermon explain its importance? ([01:06:38])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, as highlighted in Psalm 110 and the sermon? How does this challenge common views of Jesus today? ([01:04:05])
The sermon describes Jesus as both a just King and a compassionate Priest. How do these two roles work together in the person of Jesus, and why is it significant that they are united? ([01:10:18])
The cross is described as the place where God’s justice and mercy meet. What does this “great exchange” mean for our understanding of forgiveness and hope? ([01:14:48])
The sermon says that Jesus transforms his followers into a “royal priesthood.” What does it mean for believers to live as both kings and priests in their everyday lives? ([01:21:04])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us not to put Jesus in a box or make him fit our own agenda. Are there ways you have tried to make Jesus fit your expectations or preferences? What would it look like to surrender your agenda to his? ([01:04:05])
Jesus is both King (with authority and power) and Priest (with compassion and mercy). Which side do you tend to emphasize more in your own faith, and how might you grow in embracing both? ([01:10:18])
The cross is where justice and mercy meet. Is there an area in your life where you struggle to accept God’s forgiveness or to forgive someone else? How does the “great exchange” on the cross speak to that struggle? ([01:14:48])
The sermon says that Jesus fills the world not with defeated enemies, but with new life—his church. In what ways can you help bring new life to your community or relationships this week? ([01:19:44])
As part of a “royal priesthood,” we are called to both boldly proclaim God’s kingdom and compassionately serve others. What is one specific way you can proclaim truth or show mercy to someone in your life this week? ([01:21:04])
The early church was shaped by Psalm 110’s vision of Jesus. How might your own understanding of Jesus change if you saw him as both your King and your Priest every day? ([01:24:51])
The sermon invites us to reflect the beauty of Jesus by living as citizens of his kingdom and advocates for his mercy. What is one area of your life where you want to better reflect both truth and grace? ([01:24:51])

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