Jesus Leads—We Follow
Hebrews 1:1-3
Introduction
If someone were to ask, “Who is Jesus?” how would you respond? Many would say, “He is my Savior” or maybe “He is the Son of God.” And they wouldn’t be wrong, because both are true. And yet, the Bible presents an even greater depiction of who He is; an even fuller picture of His divine identity. And with it, we discover that who Jesus has the power and the authority to impact how we live each and every day.
Simply put, Jesus leads—we follow.
Throughout history, God established three key leadership roles for His people: Prophet, Priest, and King. Each served a vital function:
- The prophet revealed God’s truth.
- The priest reconciled people to God.
- The king ruled with authority.
In the Old Testament, these roles were unique and distinct, unable o be fulfilled by a single person. However, His promise to the nation of Israel was that one day He would send a Messiah — One, who would fulfill all three roles.
In Jesus, these three roles converge perfectly. As the New Testament declares, Jesus (the Messiah — the Promised One, sent from God), is the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King—not just in theory, but in a way that directly impacts how we live. Because of who He is, we are able to become who God has created us to be.
Simply put, Jesus leads—we follow.
In a world where truth is often distorted, burdens grow heavier, and many strive for control amid the stress of culture, understanding these three roles of Christ brings clarity, peace, and purpose. Hebrews 1:1-3 declares:
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Understanding Jesus in these three offices is not just a theological exercise—it’s a call to action:
- As Prophet, He speaks God’s truth—so we must listen and obey.
- As Priest, He intercedes for us—so we must trust in His work.
- As King, He rules with power—so we must submit to His reign.
Again, Jesus leads—we follow. Our aim must be upward in Christ, not downward on earth. Our goal must be to embrace the promise and providence of Christ — not settle for the ways and worthlessness of this earth.
C. S. Lewis once observed, “Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither.”
The question is: Are you ready to fully embrace Jesus for who He is? Are you ready to follow His lead?
Let’s explore these roles together and discover how we must respond to Him today.
1. Listen to Jesus as Your Prophet
Recognize Jesus as the Ultimate Revelation of God
To listen to Jesus as your Prophet is to recognize that He is the ultimate revelation of God’s truth and to respond in obedience to His voice. Unlike the prophets of old, who were messengers of God’s word, Jesus is the very Word of God made flesh (John 1:1, 14).
The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that while God spoke in many ways through the prophets, He has now spoken fully and finally through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). This means that to know Jesus is to know God, and to hear Jesus is to receive divine truth with clarity and authority (from God).
Alistair Begg once said on the matter of Jesus being the fulfillment of God’s proclaiming—that, “He is himself God’s full and final word to men and women. He makes God fully known to us.”
So, His words are not merely good teachings; they are life-giving, eternal, and non-negotiable for those who follow Him.
Obey His Teachings and Follow His Voice
As our Prophet, Jesus calls us not just to hear but to obey His teachings and follow His voice.
In Matthew 7:24-27, He illustrates the difference between wisdom and folly: those who build their lives on His words are like a house on a firm foundation, while those who ignore them are like a house built on shifting sand.
Jesus speaks today through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the wise counsel of godly believers. Yet, in a world filled with distractions—cultural noise, personal emotions, and conflicting opinions—we must make intentional choices to prioritize His voice. This requires silencing competing influences, setting aside time for prayer and study, and cultivating a heart that is receptive to His leading.
- We must silence distractions and prioritize His voice over culture, emotions, and opinions.
Just as a lighthouse provides a guiding light to ships navigating through stormy waters, Jesus, as our Prophet, illuminates the path of truth in the midst of life’s uncertainties. However, a lighthouse is only helpful to those who pay attention to its light and steer accordingly. Likewise, Jesus continually speaks, but it is our responsibility to listen and apply His words to our daily lives. The action step is clear: read, study, and live out God’s Word each day. Make room in your life to hear from Jesus, for in His voice is the wisdom, direction, and truth we need to navigate life faithfully.
Action: Read, study, and apply God’s Word daily. Make space to hear from Jesus.
2. Trust in Jesus as Your Priest
Rest in His Sacrifice for Your Sin
To trust in Jesus as your Priest is to rest in His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice and to approach God with confidence, knowing that He intercedes for us.
In the Old Testament, the priestly system required continual sacrifices to cover sin, a reminder of humanity’s ongoing need for atonement. However, Jesus, our eternal High Priest, entered the Most Holy Place by His own blood, securing our redemption forever (Hebrews 9:12). As scripture declares, He took upon Himself the sin of the world. He became sin that we might become righteous.
Terry McCutcheon, a contemporary Scottish preacher once said, “If something’s going to get clean, something else has to get dirty.”
And what he was pointing out was that Christ dirtied himself, filthied himself with our sin, in order that we might be cleansed by the power of his blood.
His sacrifice was not temporary—it was complete, sufficient, and final. The moment He died, the temple veil was torn in two (Matthew 27:51), signifying that the barrier between God and man was removed. We no longer need an earthly priest to mediate for us because Jesus has made the way for us to enter directly into God’s presence.
Approach God with Confidence
As our Priest, Jesus does more than provide access to God—He actively intercedes for us (Romans 8:34). This means that even when we struggle, stumble, or feel unworthy, He stands in our defense, reminding the Father that we are covered by His righteousness.
Many believers still live as though they must earn God’s approval, striving to be good enough. But the gospel assures us that Jesus has already done the work.
Hebrews 4:16 urges us to come boldly to the throne of grace, where mercy and help are always available. Instead of hesitating in fear or shame, we can pray with confidence, knowing that God welcomes us as His beloved children.
Again, it was Alistair Begg who once said, “If we do not grasp the immensity of the finished work of Christ as having provided once for all a purification for sins—if we do not grasp that—then we will inevitably lapse into justification by doing our best. Justification by doing our best.”
Imagine standing in a courtroom, guilty of every charge against you. The sentence is clear, and there is no way to escape justice. But then, your Priest—Jesus—steps forward, not only to defend you but to take your punishment upon Himself. Because of Him, you are declared free, not by your own merit, but by His grace. This is the power of His priestly work! The action step is simple yet transformative: stop striving and start resting in the finished work of Christ. Let go of guilt and self-effort, and instead, embrace the freedom to approach God boldly, trusting that Jesus has already secured your place before Him.
Action: Stop striving and start resting in the finished work of Christ. Pray with confidence!
3. Submit to Jesus as Your King
The writer of Hebrews powerfully affirms both the identity and exalted position of Jesus in verse 3, stating:
“After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
This declaration reveals the completed work of Christ and His rightful place of authority. Jesus fulfilled three essential roles: as the Prophet, He revealed God’s truth; as the Priest, He reconciled sinners to God; and as the King, He now reigns with all power.
This stands in stark contrast to the work of earthly priests under the old covenant. They never sat down because their work was never finished. Day after day, year after year, for generations, priests continually offered sacrifices—morning and evening—because sin was never fully atoned for. The sacrificial system required ongoing offerings, an endless cycle that could never bring lasting completion. Even the design of the temple reinforced this reality—there were no chairs in the Holy Place, no place for a priest to rest. Their work was never done.
But Jesus sat down. Why? Because His work was finished. Unlike those priests, Jesus was not just a priest—He was also the King. As the ultimate High Priest, He offered Himself as the final, perfect sacrifice for sin. As the victorious King, He demonstrated His authority over death by rising from the grave. He did not merely postpone death; He defeated it. He did not just forgive sin; He conquered it.
Throughout history, many kings had come and gone, but none reigned with His divine power. Jesus, now seated at the right hand of the Father, possesses absolute authority. His reign is not temporary or limited—it is eternal, unshakable, and supreme. His position at God’s right hand is more than a symbol of honor; it is the declaration of His unmatched sovereignty.
This is the great hope of the gospel: because Jesus has completed the work of salvation, we can rest in His victory. We are no longer bound by the weight of unfinished redemption. We follow a King who has already won the battle, and because He reigns, we can live in the freedom of His finished work.
Surrender Control of Your Life to His Authority
To submit to Jesus as your King is to surrender every part of your life to His authority and to live in obedience to His rule. Many people gladly receive Jesus as Savior, rejoicing in His grace and help, but struggle to fully embrace Him as Lord. Yet, Jesus Himself asks in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?”
A true relationship with Christ means acknowledging not only what He has done for us but also who He is—our rightful King.
Philippians 2:10-11 declares that one day every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will confess His lordship. The wise and faithful response is to willingly bow now, yielding our lives to His rule rather than resisting His authority.
Live in Obedience to His Kingdom
When we surrender to Jesus as King, we step into the fullness of His life-giving reign.
His authority is not burdensome or oppressive; instead, it brings peace, purpose, and victory (John 10:10). Submitting to Christ is not about mere admiration—it is about true discipleship. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus makes this clear: following Him requires denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and walking in His ways. This means shaping our decisions, priorities, and values around His Kingdom, even when it comes at the cost of personal comfort or convenience.
True submission is not passive; it is an active, daily commitment to live according to His Word. It means seeking first His Kingdom in every aspect of our lives, trusting that in His rule, we find our greatest freedom and fulfillment.
Imagine a throne room with only one seat of power. If Jesus is truly King, then He alone must sit on that throne—we cannot claim it for ourselves. Many struggle because they try to share the throne, allowing Jesus to rule in some areas while holding onto control in others. But a divided heart leads to instability and frustration. The action step is clear: bow your heart before Jesus daily. Let His rule shape your choices, your values, and your actions. Only when we fully surrender to His reign do we experience the joy, security, and purpose of living under the rule of the true and eternal King.
Action: I challenge you to recognize Jesus as King — and live a life that reflects that conviction. Learn to bow your heart before Him daily. And in addition, let His rule shape your choices, values, and actions.
Conclusion – Respond to Jesus in Action
Jesus is not someone to merely admire; He is someone to follow, trust, and obey. As our Prophet, He speaks truth, calling us to listen and build our lives on His Word. As our Priest, He has made the perfect sacrifice, inviting us to rest in His finished work rather than striving on our own. And as our King, He reigns with authority, requiring our full surrender to His rule.
The question is not just who Jesus is, but how we will respond. Will we listen and obey? Will we trust and rest? Will we submit and follow? Let’s choose today—and every day—to give Jesus His rightful place in our lives.
Final Challenge
- Listen to Jesus by saturating yourself in His Word.
- Trust in Jesus by resting in His grace.
- Submit to Jesus by living in obedience to His Kingdom.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before you today acknowledging with faith and conviction that Jesus is our Lord. He is our Prophet (giving revelation), our Priest (reconciling us to You), and our King (the One who reigns in power). In response to His greatness, we surrender. We lay down our lives and trophies at His feet. We give our hearts and lives completely to You.
Help us to hear Your voice, trust in Your finished work, and submit to Your rule. May we walk in obedience, rest in Your grace, and live for Your Kingdom. Reign in us, guide us, and be glorified in all we do.
In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.