The BRANCH (Zechariah 6:12)

2022-08-02

Earlier this year, we saw how Jesus is the Branch, which showed how He is the eternal ruler descending from David. Today, we shall see how Jesus is the same Branch in another aspect, showing how He is the eternal ruling high priest.

In the Old Testament, the offices of king and priest were separate. Think of it as separation of powers like we have in our American government today. When King Uzziah tried to act as priest, he was rebuked and had leprosy for the rest of his life (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). The priest Jehoiada, a man of authority, refused to rule himself but made sure the kingly line was restored in the boy Joash (2 Kings 11:4-21). However, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became a Man, and fulfills both roles: He is King and He is High Priest. It pertains to Christ alone to have both roles.

Joshua the son of Josedech was the high priest in the days of Zechariah the prophet, after the exile. In a vision, this high priest was crowned: “Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest” (Zechariah 6:11).

This crowned high priest, “whose name is The BRANCH,” is described this way: “Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both” (Zechariah 6:13).

In the New Testament, Jesus is described as a high priest: “a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).

Again, we see Jesus as the superior high priest (Hebrews 7:24-28). We read in part:

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:24-25)