During his ministry on earth, Jesus Christ was a prophet. From the time God accepted his sacrifice on our behalf he has been a priest. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that because he is a priest “he is able to save to the uttermost [however long in time we need saving] all who come to God through him, since he is alive forever to intercede for them.”
Ask most people if they know how the life of Jesus ended and they’ll say, “When he died on the cross.” But ask them how the life of Jesus continued and most will admit they don’t know. The idea that Jesus is alive, and has been ministering in prayer and power for nearly 2000 years, just doesn’t occur to most people. This is because we cannot know him as our priest until we know him as our Saviour.
This needs to be understood with the heart rather than the head, and by faith rather than reason. The Lord’s death was redemptive in that it was to save the human race from sin. His ministry since then has been on behalf of those who have believed that he died on their behalf and through that have been forgiven. Those who are not Christians don’t ‘get’ the Lord’s present ministry as a High Priest, one who continues to save those who believed in him by praying to God on their behalf.
“If anyone sins, we have one who pleads our cause (an advocate) with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.” It’s amazing that Jesus died to save us, and awesome that he lives to keep us safe! When Christians sin (we shouldn’t but now and then we do) and confess our sins to God, we have an advocate who presents the case for our forgiveness (1 John 2:1, 2).
On earth Jesus was a Prophet, in heaven he is a Priest, and on his return will be a King – not just a prophet but The Prophet; nor just a king but The King of kings; nor just a priest but our High Priest! Better make peace with him while you still can (Psalm 1:12). As your personal Saviour first of all.