Tuesday 6 March, 2018

5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

Jesus is the G.O.A.T.

The writer of Hebrews describes the role of the holy priest in Old Testament times. A representative of the people to God. A compassionate (gentle) leader, performing sacrifices that cover both his and the people’s sins. The priest doesn’t select himself, the priest is called by God to the holy office. Jesus was called to that priestly role just like in the Old Testament traditional culture. The Hebrew writer also references Melchizedek, an (old) Old Testament Priest who was outside of the typical traditional system. This characterises Jesus as both a traditional priest in the Israelite sense and a ‘super-priest’ in the cosmic sense.

Complicated?

Here comes a cricket metaphor: Don Bradman was not only the greatest batsman in his day, he is possibly the greatest batsman of all time. The same is true of priest Jesus. Greatest in his day, greatest of all time. Jesus is the GOAT priest: Greatest Of All Time.

Thank you Jesus for your holy priestly nature. Thank you for your sacrifice for me – for being the mediator that has negotiated new eternal life for us. May I be able to live in the light of your holy example. Amen

Written by Sam Stewart