There were two prophets in 2 Kings, Elijah and Elisha, who walked with God and spoke to the people as instructed by God. They worked many miracles by the hand of God. One with leprosy was healed; life was breathed back into one who had died; food multiplied for a widow who needed to pay her debt; waters were healed; fire was called down from the heavens; and many other dramatic events surrounded them. Elijah was actually introduced in 1 Kings, and we can read the many things he did as God’s spokesman. Elijah ascended into heaven (2 Kings 2), and Elisha succeeded him as a prophet of God to His people. Elisha did not ascend into heaven but died and was buried. (2 Kings 13:14) These two men were greatly used by God to reveal his ways, instructions, and warnings to His people to worship God alone. Neither of these men could do what was needed to redeem man to God. These two prophets were not perfect men because they were conceived in sin just as every other person was on the face of the earth. However, there was one foretold and born who was not conceived in sin but by the Holy Spirit. Jesus, God’s only Son, was the one foretold by the prophets of old, who would take away the sins of the world. Jesus, being totally man yet totally God in the flesh, was the Perfect Prophet who came into the world, enabling us to be made right with God. Not only did Jesus perform many miracles and instruct us as to how we are to live before God, but He also restored and indwelt us by the Holy Spirit. In doing so Jesus made it possible to walk with God and have the relationship that was lost because of sin. What does the Perfect Prophet look like?
 
HE HAS NO SIN
     For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been temped as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 ESV The priest in the Old Testament would go before God on behalf of His people offering blood sacrifices for their sins. These priests were not perfect men, but men set apart for this purpose. The Bible teaches there is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. (Hebrews 9:22) This should make one understand the seriousness of sin before a Holy God. Jesus was the perfect Lamb of God sent for the purpose of taking away our sins. John the Baptist introduces him by saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29 ESV To be the perfect Lamb of God, He had to be sinless; and of course, He was, because He was God made flesh.
 
HE PERFECTS OUR FAITH
     Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God. Hebrews 12:2 ESV What is the perfect faith for us? It is the faith by which we are saved in grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 ESV What makes faith perfect before God? It is the redeeming blood of the Lamb and the faith to believe He can save you from all your sins. Believing you can be forgiven of your sins is to recognize you are a sinner in need of saving grace, by faith which he perfects in us.
 
HE HAS PERFECT PATIENCE
     But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16 ESV Paul, before he was a believer, was blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent of Jesus; however, he received mercy because he acted in unbelief. Yet he received mercy by grace because Jesus had come to save sinners, which describes every one of us. That is just how much He loves us! (1 Timothy 1: 13-15)
 
     Today you may think you could never live the Christian life, so why try? You would be right in your thinking except for one thing. JESUS !!! He is the perfect Lamb of God who will work in you good works and accomplish what you can never do on your own. This is why so many become frustrated in the Christian walk. We try to be perfect; which is exactly what we are to be, but not by our abilities, but by the work of Jesus on the cross. When you believe and trust in Him as Savior, repent and ask forgiveness of your sins against Him, He forgives you and begins working (sanctification) a work in your life until that day when He will graduate you to heaven. Remember, as Christians, because of our Perfect Prophet, He will complete what He has begun. And I am sure of this, that he who has began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David