That is what the author of Hebrews calls Jesus: the better sacrifice. He intentionally sets Jesus up against the priests of the old covenant, and the sacrifices of the old covenant, and declares Jesus to be better, more effective, good Forever. Because he is perfect (unlike any other priest), he is able to save completely; because he died and rose and is now seated at God's right hand, he able to intercede continually for us. That is one of his jobs.
And this kind of priest, and this kind of covenant was foretold, by Jeremiah, who wrote, "Look, the days are coming when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel...I will place their laws on their minds, and write them on their hearts....." So God always intended for this old covenant to become real.
Some people think that this letter is written to Jewish Christians, who were considering abandoning their new faith, and returning to pre-messianic Judaism. Sometimes the rhetoric makes me think so. While I am one who holds fast to the new covenant given and sealed by Jesus (remember the idea that the death of the signee makes the well effective?), I also struggle with some of the words of this letter that seem to say that Judaism is now obsolete and is going away. Is that what the letter writer is saying?
Jesus in Hebrews is not only the Better Priest, he is also the perfect sacrifice. His sacrifice on the cross is not again-and-again, but once-for all, so no longer do we need to make sacrifices of animals to be reconciled with God.
On the other hand, if we fall away once we know the truth, this letter has harsh words for us: 'if we make the decision to sin after we receive the knowledge of the truth, there isn't a sacrifice for sins any longer." What do you think of this? Do you think that the author of Hebrews is referring to ordinary "sins", or something more encompassing?
Tomorrow we are on to the some of the most well-known passages of this letter.
What is faith?
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Day 76: Jesus, our Sabbath Rest; Jesus, our High Priest
So, in his (or her) encouraging way, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews continues to encourage and to chide and to remind the congregation of the superiority of Jesus, of the benefits of knowing Jesus and following Jesus.
First he reminds them of the story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, and the promise of sabbath rest. But there's more to the story than meets the eye. Sabbath rest is about a literal rest from labors once a week, it's about entering God's rest, it's about trusting the faithfulness of God, whether in the wilderness or the promised land. So ultimately Jesus is God's Sabbath rest -- the One who trusted God perfectly also offers us a Sabbath when we trust him.
Then, he points out Jesus as a high priest: and not just any high priest, but a high priest "after the order of Melchizedek." What does that mean? Melchizedek is a sort of shadowy figure from the book of Genesis, who appears mysteriously to bless Abraham, and then disappears again. He is not part of the formal line of priests. He is prior to the levitical priesthood. In fact, he does not even appear to be an Israelite. But he is unique, like Jesus.
Jesus is a priest, our high priest, which might seem a strange thing to our ears. What do we need a priest for? A priest is a mediator, an intercessor, someone who pleads for someone else, and most of us don't think this way. What do we need a mediator for? What do we need an intercessor for? What could we be guilty of? We're pretty good, aren't we? Maybe we make mistakes sometimes, but nothing we have to worry about.
But the author of Hebrews and his/her congregation do believe they need a mediator. They know that they fall, and they want to be reconciled to God. Jesus is a good reconciler because as a human being, he sympathizes with our stumbling ways, but he always has the ear of God.
But what about us? Is it good news to us that Jesus is rest, or that Jesus is a high priest? How would you describe the good news of Jesus?
First he reminds them of the story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, and the promise of sabbath rest. But there's more to the story than meets the eye. Sabbath rest is about a literal rest from labors once a week, it's about entering God's rest, it's about trusting the faithfulness of God, whether in the wilderness or the promised land. So ultimately Jesus is God's Sabbath rest -- the One who trusted God perfectly also offers us a Sabbath when we trust him.
Then, he points out Jesus as a high priest: and not just any high priest, but a high priest "after the order of Melchizedek." What does that mean? Melchizedek is a sort of shadowy figure from the book of Genesis, who appears mysteriously to bless Abraham, and then disappears again. He is not part of the formal line of priests. He is prior to the levitical priesthood. In fact, he does not even appear to be an Israelite. But he is unique, like Jesus.
Jesus is a priest, our high priest, which might seem a strange thing to our ears. What do we need a priest for? A priest is a mediator, an intercessor, someone who pleads for someone else, and most of us don't think this way. What do we need a mediator for? What do we need an intercessor for? What could we be guilty of? We're pretty good, aren't we? Maybe we make mistakes sometimes, but nothing we have to worry about.
But the author of Hebrews and his/her congregation do believe they need a mediator. They know that they fall, and they want to be reconciled to God. Jesus is a good reconciler because as a human being, he sympathizes with our stumbling ways, but he always has the ear of God.
But what about us? Is it good news to us that Jesus is rest, or that Jesus is a high priest? How would you describe the good news of Jesus?
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Day 75: The Mysterious Letter
We don't know much about Hebrews.
We don't know who wrote it (very long ago it was ascribed to Paul, but his name is never mentioned in the greeting. In fact, there isn't a greeting at the beginning, although there are some final greetings at the end.)
We don't know who it was written to, despite the fact that the title says it was written to "the Hebrews." (Some people think perhaps it was written to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem; others disagree.)
We're not sure when it was written, either.
Some people even think it wasn't a letter, actually but a sermon, an idea which sort of intrigues me. I am also intrigued by the idea that perhaps Apollos wrote it, or even Aquila or Priscilla. But don't mind me, I'm also the one who thinks that Lazarus could have been the "Beloved Disciple."
Whatever else it is, Hebrews is a hymn of praise to Jesus. The mysterious author makes the case for the uniqueness of Jesus as Savior and Son of God, and writes to encourage and exhort people under duress to hang on to him and to the faith that proclaims him. So, the opening chapters are full of scripture citations and poetic praises of Jesus "The Son is the light of God's glory and the imprint of God's being." He is more important than any of the other messengers God has sent.
Therefore, don't give up or drift away. The author will say this, in many ways, again and again. Don't give up. Don't drift away.
Although the world and culture and people have change in many ways throughout the ages, in some ways we haven't. We give up. We drift away.
"Hold fast to your faith!" the letter to the Hebrews insists. There's a new world coming, and God has made us to shine in it.
There's nothing wrong with this message (and a lot right with it), but one issue that can get uncomfortable is the fact that the writer again and again compares Jesus with the first covenant in a sort of denigrating way. Now that we have Jesus, does that mean that there is no use for Judaism? How can I talk about my faith in a way that doesn't put someone else's down? It's not as easy as it might sound.
Keep reading to find out more about what the mysterious writer of Hebrews has to say about Jesus, and why we should not give up...
We don't know who wrote it (very long ago it was ascribed to Paul, but his name is never mentioned in the greeting. In fact, there isn't a greeting at the beginning, although there are some final greetings at the end.)
We don't know who it was written to, despite the fact that the title says it was written to "the Hebrews." (Some people think perhaps it was written to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem; others disagree.)
We're not sure when it was written, either.
Some people even think it wasn't a letter, actually but a sermon, an idea which sort of intrigues me. I am also intrigued by the idea that perhaps Apollos wrote it, or even Aquila or Priscilla. But don't mind me, I'm also the one who thinks that Lazarus could have been the "Beloved Disciple."
Whatever else it is, Hebrews is a hymn of praise to Jesus. The mysterious author makes the case for the uniqueness of Jesus as Savior and Son of God, and writes to encourage and exhort people under duress to hang on to him and to the faith that proclaims him. So, the opening chapters are full of scripture citations and poetic praises of Jesus "The Son is the light of God's glory and the imprint of God's being." He is more important than any of the other messengers God has sent.
Therefore, don't give up or drift away. The author will say this, in many ways, again and again. Don't give up. Don't drift away.
Although the world and culture and people have change in many ways throughout the ages, in some ways we haven't. We give up. We drift away.
"Hold fast to your faith!" the letter to the Hebrews insists. There's a new world coming, and God has made us to shine in it.
There's nothing wrong with this message (and a lot right with it), but one issue that can get uncomfortable is the fact that the writer again and again compares Jesus with the first covenant in a sort of denigrating way. Now that we have Jesus, does that mean that there is no use for Judaism? How can I talk about my faith in a way that doesn't put someone else's down? It's not as easy as it might sound.
Keep reading to find out more about what the mysterious writer of Hebrews has to say about Jesus, and why we should not give up...
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Day 59: Paul Writes to the Corinthians Again (beginning)
So after Paul writes a somewhat critical letter to the church at Corinth, he decides not to visit them again just yet, but writes to them again. He begins by, again and again, speaking of the comfort of God in times of persecution and trouble. These are verses we now read often at funerals. Paul is speaking of one who brings the promise of God's comfort in Christ to people and one who has been through trouble and needs comfort himself. He and his companions have been through hardships of many kinds in their missionary journeys.
One of the reasons Paul is delaying though, has to do with that other letter he wrote to Corinth, the one in which he was critical of them. It is clear (and will become clearer as this letter goes on) that Paul feels that the Corinthians are unfairly mistrustful of him, and he needs to re-assert his credentials as an apostle. He does have their best interests at heart. He may have changed his plans, but he is not unreliable in what he preaches. He is not (and Christ is not) "yes and no" to them, but only "yes."
Paul also contrasts himself with missionaries who preach the word for profit. The only profit Paul seeks is the conversion of hearts to the gospel of Christ. He feels as if they are requiring "Letters of Recommendation", but Paul feels that the churches he has started, churches filled with people following the way of Christ, should be the only letter of recommendation needed.
He goes on to contrast the glory of Moses in front of the ten commandments, with the glory of Christ. Moses was able to stand in front of God, but the glory was too great to bear at that time, so he had to veil his face when he came down the mountain. Paul writes that now, we are being transformed, so that we will be able to see the glory of God in the face of Christ.
One of the reasons Paul is delaying though, has to do with that other letter he wrote to Corinth, the one in which he was critical of them. It is clear (and will become clearer as this letter goes on) that Paul feels that the Corinthians are unfairly mistrustful of him, and he needs to re-assert his credentials as an apostle. He does have their best interests at heart. He may have changed his plans, but he is not unreliable in what he preaches. He is not (and Christ is not) "yes and no" to them, but only "yes."
Paul also contrasts himself with missionaries who preach the word for profit. The only profit Paul seeks is the conversion of hearts to the gospel of Christ. He feels as if they are requiring "Letters of Recommendation", but Paul feels that the churches he has started, churches filled with people following the way of Christ, should be the only letter of recommendation needed.
He goes on to contrast the glory of Moses in front of the ten commandments, with the glory of Christ. Moses was able to stand in front of God, but the glory was too great to bear at that time, so he had to veil his face when he came down the mountain. Paul writes that now, we are being transformed, so that we will be able to see the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Day 58: The Resurrection of the Dead
Finally, Paul gets to another controversy that the Corinthians are involved in: whether the dead are raised or not. Apparently this is another disagreement that the Corinthians have, and Paul meets it head on, and ends up with one of the most beautiful (and oft-quoted) chapters in the New Testament.
It appears that the Corinthians do believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, because one of the arguments he uses is that, if you aren't raised from the dead, that means that Jesus wasn't raised either. He also appeals to the witnesses to the resurrection: Cephas (Peter), the Twelve, 500 disciples, James, and then, finally, to Paul. (Note that when he sees Jesus on the road to Damascus, it is more like a vision, but it is still proof to him that Jesus has been raised.)
Here's what I don't like about Paul: he doesn't mention Mary Magdalene, or any of the other women. Nothing. Is it because women are considered to be unreliable witnesses? Still, all of the gospels put the women first....
He's pretty blunt: if you don't believe in some sort of resurrection, for yourself and for Jesus, then your faith is in vain, and you are dead in your sins. In other words, the resurrections means victory over sin, the possibility of new living, and victory over death itself.
He tries to describe resurrected bodies (with limited success); they will be very different than the physical bodies we have now, just as a tree is different than the seed that is planted. They will be real, but spiritual bodies, designed to live in a new realm, a new reign. And this new reign is the purpose and end of our faith.
Chapter 16 brings greetings and a recommendation to for them to care for Timothy, as well as final words of encouragement and exhortation. This is a congregation that Paul has corrected, warned and yelled at. But he ends by saying, "My love is with all of you in Christ Jesus."
It appears that the Corinthians do believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, because one of the arguments he uses is that, if you aren't raised from the dead, that means that Jesus wasn't raised either. He also appeals to the witnesses to the resurrection: Cephas (Peter), the Twelve, 500 disciples, James, and then, finally, to Paul. (Note that when he sees Jesus on the road to Damascus, it is more like a vision, but it is still proof to him that Jesus has been raised.)
Here's what I don't like about Paul: he doesn't mention Mary Magdalene, or any of the other women. Nothing. Is it because women are considered to be unreliable witnesses? Still, all of the gospels put the women first....
He's pretty blunt: if you don't believe in some sort of resurrection, for yourself and for Jesus, then your faith is in vain, and you are dead in your sins. In other words, the resurrections means victory over sin, the possibility of new living, and victory over death itself.
He tries to describe resurrected bodies (with limited success); they will be very different than the physical bodies we have now, just as a tree is different than the seed that is planted. They will be real, but spiritual bodies, designed to live in a new realm, a new reign. And this new reign is the purpose and end of our faith.
Chapter 16 brings greetings and a recommendation to for them to care for Timothy, as well as final words of encouragement and exhortation. This is a congregation that Paul has corrected, warned and yelled at. But he ends by saying, "My love is with all of you in Christ Jesus."
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Day 48: Abraham, Adam, Jesus -- Peace with God
In the next three chapters are three different models for us. In Chapter 4 we meet Abraham, the father of Israel, the father of the circumcised, the one who originally heard God, and set out on a journey to a place he had never been before. Paul makes the argument that Abraham is the father not just of Israel, not just of the circumcised, but of all who trust God's faithfulness. Didn't God's call to Abraham (and Abraham's answer) precede his circumcision? Paul asks. (Yes). Well, then, it is not circumcision that makes the difference but it is faith in God. It is trust in Christ's faithfulness, not whether we meet a particular legal requirement, that makes the difference.
Before we meet the next model (Adam), there is that wonderful portion of Romans 5 that shows us the consequences of trusting in Christ's faithfulness: peace with God. This peace transcends our circumstances, builds character, and gives meaning to our suffering, because God's love has overflowed into our hearts.
So, what about Adam? Paul also lists Adam as a model -- a model not of obedience but of disobedience, not of trust but of distrust. Adam and Eve were in the garden, with free gifts all around them, and instead of seeing the abundance of gifts, they focused on the one thing denied them. Paul says -- we are like Adam -- and yet, God values us, loves us, and Jesus died for us.
Then, finally, is Jesus, the third model. Unlike Adam, Jesus trusts God. Jesus is faithful to God -- and to us. Somehow because of this faithfulness, the cycle of sin is broken, and we are set free. We don't have to obey God, out of fear or obligation. But we get to hear God's voice, experience God's love and caring, and help our neighbor in ways that really help.
Paul is talking about, trying to explain big things, big concept: Freedom and captivity, sin and faith and righteousness. What do those words mean to you? What does it mean to be free? or, not free?
Before we meet the next model (Adam), there is that wonderful portion of Romans 5 that shows us the consequences of trusting in Christ's faithfulness: peace with God. This peace transcends our circumstances, builds character, and gives meaning to our suffering, because God's love has overflowed into our hearts.
So, what about Adam? Paul also lists Adam as a model -- a model not of obedience but of disobedience, not of trust but of distrust. Adam and Eve were in the garden, with free gifts all around them, and instead of seeing the abundance of gifts, they focused on the one thing denied them. Paul says -- we are like Adam -- and yet, God values us, loves us, and Jesus died for us.
Then, finally, is Jesus, the third model. Unlike Adam, Jesus trusts God. Jesus is faithful to God -- and to us. Somehow because of this faithfulness, the cycle of sin is broken, and we are set free. We don't have to obey God, out of fear or obligation. But we get to hear God's voice, experience God's love and caring, and help our neighbor in ways that really help.
Paul is talking about, trying to explain big things, big concept: Freedom and captivity, sin and faith and righteousness. What do those words mean to you? What does it mean to be free? or, not free?
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