How does acknowledging Jesus as a prophet impact our understanding of His teachings? Setting the Scene in John 9 “Then they asked the blind man again, ‘What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’” (John 9:17) A formerly blind beggar identifies Jesus not merely as a wonder-worker but as a prophet—one who speaks for God. From this confession flows a richer grasp of every word Jesus utters. A Prophet Speaks the Very Words of God Deuteronomy 18:15—“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.” • Jesus fulfills this promise; acknowledging Him as prophet means recognizing His teaching as God’s own voice. Hebrews 1:1-2—“God, having spoken long ago to the fathers by the prophets…has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” • The prophetic mantle underscores that Christ’s words carry divine, final authority. Authority Demands Obedience Matthew 7:24—“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” • If Jesus is the prophetic spokesman of God, ignoring Him is spiritual foolishness. John 12:48—“The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” • His teachings are not suggestions; they will be the standard of judgment. A Prophet’s Call to Repentance Luke 13:3—“Unless you repent, you will all perish as well.” • Prophets expose sin and summon change; Jesus does the same, urging immediate repentance. John 8:11—“Go and sin no more.” • His command carries the same prophetic weight as Nathan’s rebuke to David (2 Samuel 12). Foretelling and Fulfillment Mark 8:31—He “began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer…be killed, and after three days rise again.” • Prophets validate their message through fulfilled prediction. The resurrection stamps every prior teaching with divine certification. Luke 24:44—“Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” • Recognizing Jesus as prophet ties His life to the entire prophetic stream of Scripture. More Than a Prophet—Yet Never Less John 6:14—The crowd said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” John 20:28—Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God!” • Starting with “prophet” rightly elevates His words; moving to “Lord” and “God” exalts His person. Both truths stand together. Living It Out Today Read the Gospels expecting divine instruction, not mere biography. Obey promptly; delay is disobedience to God’s own speech. Trust confidently; every promise Christ made is as certain as those already fulfilled. Share boldly; proclaiming His teaching is relaying God’s prophetic message to a world still blind. |
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