Christ the Prophet
The Biblical story is full of prophets, but Moses stands tall as one of the earliest and most impactful among them.
Picture this: Israel was caught in the clutches of Egyptian bondage, and God sent Moses to Pharaoh with the command: "Let my people go!" In Hebrews 11:27-29, we see Moses painted as a portrait of unwavering faith." By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible." His steadfastness during the Passover and his leadership as the Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry land are the moments that etch his legacy as a prophet deeply into history. With his divine connection, Moses becomes a conduit for God's words, especially as he delivers the Law from the sacred mount of Sinai. Yet, even as Moses stands as a towering figure among the prophets, he anticipates the coming of one greater. He says in Deuteronomy,
"The Lord your God will raise for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him." (Deuteronomy 18:15)
Enter Jesus, the greatest Prophet. His words are not merely from God, but he is the very Word of God. John 1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made." (John 1:1-3) Jesus is presented as the relational embodiment of God's Word, the creative force that shaped the universe. This is contrasted with the Law given through Moses, as John declares, "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
Now, fast forward to Jesus' earthly ministry, which took place during a time of Roman occupation, corruption, and religious manipulation. In the face of this, Jesus proclaims the reality of God's kingdom—a kingdom not of this world but one that resides within us. He comes not to wage war against Rome's legions but to lead a spiritual exodus, liberating us from the power of sin and death. So, when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a Palm Sunday, the crowds hailed him with expectations of liberation from Rome, waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna," meaning "save us." But Jesus wept because their misunderstanding prevented them from recognizing the true nature of his mission – a liberation from the authority of empire, sin, and death.
As he enters the Temple, Jesus wastes no time confronting the corruption creating blockages to God. He overturns the money-changers tables, denouncing their exploitation of the faithful. Jesus challenged corrupt religious practices, rebuking leaders more focused on appearances than holiness. Daily, he preaches in the Temple, captivating all who listen with profound wisdom and authority. And in the midst of it all, Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, heralding the arrival of something greater. For in him, John 1:14 says,
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
In Greek, " dwelling " is the same as "living in a tent". John uses the imagery of the special tent, the Tabernacle, which the Israelites built in the wilderness for God's presence to dwell. This tent was so holy that the priests had to wash up before entering because anything considered unclean couldn't withstand God's presence. By using the Greek word for the Tabernacle, John gives us a picture of how Jesus is a greater Tabernacle and Temple because, in him, God and his people are united as one. Through Jesus, as the Tabernacle and the Word of God, Death will be swallowed up, for it cannot contain the holiness of God. But to achieve this unity and conquer death's hold on humanity, Jesus would have to die. Prophesying his death, he said, "the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death… and kill him. Three days later he will rise." (Mark 10:33b-34) That was one prophecy his disciples weren't ready for. It felt confusing and dark while it was happening like Jesus wasn't the great Prophet they had been waiting for.
Schrock, David. “How Is Jesus a Prophet like Moses?” The Gospel Coalition, 13 June 2020, www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/jesus-prophet-moses/.
“Jesus: Prophet, Priest, and King.” Loyola Press, 28 Apr. 2020, www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/scripture-and-tradition/jesus-and-the-new-testament/who-do-you-say-that-i-am-names-for-jesus/jesus-prophet-priest-and-king/.
Merkle, Benjamin L. “The Teachings of Jesus.” The Gospel Coalition, www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-teachings-of-jesus-2/#:~:text=The%20kingdom%20of%20God%20is,%3B%20Luke%204%3A43). Accessed 14 Mar. 2024.
Mackie, Tim, and Jon Collins. “Learn about the Hidden Forces Guiding the World • Spiritual Beings (Ep. 3).” YouTube, The Bible Project, 14 Mar. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1rai6WoOJU.
Kerr-Jarrett, A., Stobart, Rev. Dr. A., Phillips, B., Croton, G., & Pumphrey, N. (2021). He Scattered the Coins of the Money Changers and Overturned their Tables. In The Bible Book (pp. 244–245). essay, DK Books.
Barrios, G. “Entry into Jerusalem” Jesus and the Temple, DK Publishing, 1998, pp. 348–349. The Complete Bible Handbook
