Shorter Catechism Q. 23. What offices doth Christ execute as our redeemer? A. Christ, as our redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Commentary: The last two questions considered the person of Christ. This question begins to look at his work as redeemer, which takes place in two different estates.
The term “Christ” means anointed one, and is the Greek form of the Hebrew word, Messiah. In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were all commissioned to their respective roles or offices by being anointed by God. In that sense, they all could be considered “Christs.” But the Old Testament looked forward to the coming of THE Christ, who would occupy all three offices. He would be a prophet (Deut. 18:15-22; Acts 3:22; Heb. 1:2), priest (Psalm 110; Heb. 4:14-5:10), and king (Psalm 2; 110; Luke 1:32-33).
The redemptive work of Christ, therefore, may be seen through these three offices. These are not the only offices or titles used in Scripture to refer to his work, nor do they “exhaust the teaching of Scripture concerning all that our Lord has done and is still doing for us (Alexander Whyte).” Nevertheless, examining Christ’s work through the three offices is biblical and has proven itself over the centuries to be beneficial pedagogically.
Jesus executes his redemptive work as prophet, priest, and king in his “estate of humiliation and exaltation.” The former refers to his life before his resurrection (see WSC 27) and the latter refers to his life since his resurrection (see WSC 28). Jesus’ redemptive work, therefore, did not end with his resurrection, but remains ongoing.