MPC 7th August 2005.Hebrews 4:14-7:28 - "In Praise of the Permanent Priest"
Phil Campbell MPC 7th August 2005.
The issue of credentials has been all over the news this week. Especially in the health system. I guess when it comes to doctors, you want to have some sort of confidence that the person you're dealing with has got the right credentials. So it's kind of disturbing when you hear reports that one doctor on the Gold Coast has been operating before he's properly registered. While apparently an unqualified Russian refugee has been posing as a psychiatrist. And treated more than 250 patients.
It's not just an issue in medicine, either. When I worked as an engineer with NSW Main Roads, there was a guy in our office who was working as a construction engineer. But when a trench collapsed and they launched an enquiry, it turned out his credentials were a fraud. And he hadn't graduated from his University degree at all. A third year drop-out. Who decided he wasn't going to let it stop him going for a job. And faking his credentials. The more responsible the position, the more important it is to make sure the person in the job has got the right credentials.
That's in a sense the sort of issue bubbling in the background of these three chapters of Hebrews. A long passage today, and complex. But in a sense all revolving around the same set of issues. The high priesthood of Jesus. Jesus as the middleman between us and God. In a way that totally overturns the perfectly proper and established and functional Jewish priesthood that's been ticking over for hundreds and hundreds of years.
Here's the problem. We've seen it already over the past few weeks. These Jews who became Christians. And now, when the going gets tough, are thinking, let's turn back. And be Jewish again. And there are these niggling issues. Like who appointed Jesus anyway? And what sort of credentials has he got? In Jerusalem, there's the temple; there's the high priest who makes sacrifices at the altar. He's appointed in a long succession of the descendants of Aaron. And it's all being done exactly as it's set out in the scriptures. The Old Testament.
So who does Jesus think he is... to come and turn it all over? Maybe we've made a terrible mistake; maybe we've been deluded to trust him. And we need to get back to the more comfortable old ways of the temple and the priests and the sacrifices. And in a sense you've got to sympathise. I mean, to us, maybe, Christianity is part of the establishment. To them, it's still new. The paint is still wet.
So questions about the credentials and the credibility of Jesus are floating around everywhere. Who appointed Jesus? Questions like who appointed this Jesus anyway? I mean, did he just take it on himself to make all these high sounding claims? And you get an echo of that question in chapter 5 verse 4 and 5. Aaron was the father of Israel's line of Priests. Appointed by God.
And if you're one of these Jewish Christians thinking who does Jesus think he is to just come in and replace all the temple stuff, what are his credentials... we're going to see the point is, he didn't just appoint himself. He was appointed by God. Just like Aaron was. Verse 4:
No one takes this honour upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him:
...and we'll come back and see what God said a bit later.
But there's another issue as well. Another objection to the credentials of Jesus. How can someone from the wrong tribe be a Priest? (7:13-14) You're saying Jesus is our great high priest and we don't need to go to the temple any more? You're saying Jesus is the way to the father and replaces all the rituals at the temple in Jerusalem? You're saying the old ways are over?
Well, get this. The law says you've got to come from Aaron's tribe to be a priest. The law says you've got to be from the sub-tribe of Levi... to go anywhere near the altar. And Jesus isn't. And that's raised and acknowledged in chapter 7. Verse 14. It's true. The law does say that. Flip over and take a look. You're absolutely right.
For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
Which might seem to be a problem. Certainly if you want to say Jesus is somehow in continuity with the Old Testament scriptures. That he fulfils them.
Well, let's take a look at the answer. A look at the credentials that are going to be spelled out. At the way the Old Testament scriptures themselves actually prepared the way for Jesus. And to get our heads around that, you need to meet Melchizedek.
Melchizedek is a bit player in the Old Testament. In fact, only mentioned twice. First in Genesis 14, where we bumped into him in our Genesis series last year. And then again in the Psalms, Psalm 110. A shadowy sort of guy who leaves behind him a trail of unanswered questions. Which are picked up here in Hebrews 5 to 7. In a way that answers questions about the credentials of Jesus. And it's almost in these chapters like, whatever their question is, Melchizedek is the answer.
Because if you do remember anything from last year when we looked at Genesis 14, Melchizedek was a priest of God before the Jewish priesthood was even invented. Abraham's been out doing battle with the bad guys, he's coming home, and on the road he meets Melchizedek, the king of Salem. A priest of God most high. And Abraham bows low. And Melchizedek blesses him. And then wanders off down the road and disappears from the history books completely... until he's mentioned again in Psalm 110. When God tells king David that his great descendant, the one who'll rule an everlasting kingdom, he's not just going to be a King. But a priest as well.
So have a look back at verse 4 and 5 in chapter 5. Who accredited Jesus as a priest? Well, he didn't just take the honour on himself. God appointed him. In the Psalms.
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. And he says in another place - [Psalm 110] - "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
And how does that label get passed on to Jesus? Priest forever? Verses 7 to 10. The answer is, in his resurrection from the dead. Because he prayed in the garden that he'd be delivered from death. And he was. I mean, he still suffered the cross. But God stepped in beyond it. And raised him. And ultimately, that's what marks him out... as eternal high priest. Read from verse 7. That's what it's saying.
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death... and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Who says Jesus is important? God says. By raising him from the dead. The only one who could possibly qualify in the words of the Psalm... to be a priest forever. Not like the Jewish priests in the line of Aaron and Levi. But like Melchizedek. Who came before them.
Now this is complicated stuff. Complicated even if you're a Jew with a whole lot of Old Testament background. You might be sitting there saying Mel who and what on earth has it got to do with me? And let me suggest you won't be the first person to think that. Because look at verse 11.
The fact is, right from the start this has been complicated stuff. Which means instead of switching off, you need to switch on. We're not so good at that, are we? Actually concentrating. Actually paying attention to God's word. I mean, I know it's tough. I know there are lots of distractions. But the point is, sometimes you've just got to knuckle down and do the hard work of thinking and understanding. Instead of just waiting to be entertained or feel good. Sometimes you've got to do the hard work of focusing your mind. And actually listening hard. Which is in fact a more literal translation of the word at the end of verse 11. They're not so much slow learners. They're sluggish listeners. It's not so much an IQ problem. It's their lack of attention.
Follow in verse 11; maybe this is for you: "We have much to say about this - but it's hard to explain because you are slow to listen." In fact, by this time you should be teachers. And yet you need the same simple basic stuff over and over again. Even worse... considering this is a bunch of people are on the verge of throwing out the basics of Christianity and going back to being the Jews they were before. Verse 12 says, You should have been teachers by now, but you still need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. And I wonder if as you hear those words they equally apply to you?
Look, there's more in this little sidetrack. A warning in verse 4 of chapter 6, that if they turn back to their old ways, there's no coming back. There are no other options. A call to keep going with the same sort of diligence they had before - verse 11. Show this same diligence to the end. To be patient. And keep going. Instead of lazy, in verse 12. Because they've become such lazy listeners that there's a danger that they won't even follow this stuff about Melchizedek. And how Jesus is their high priest for ever. Which is the point we come back to... in verse 20 of chapter 6. And then all of chapter 7.
If you're finding it complicated, what can I say. It's complicated. So listen harder.
Run your eye down the first few verses of chapter 7, and you'll see it's retelling the story of Melchizedek from Genesis 14. Melchizedek, the priest king of God most high; his name translated literally means king of righteousness, Melek Zedek. He's King of Salem, which means king of peace. Who as you meet him in Genesis, comes into the picture without any background, with no genealogy, says verse 3, without beginning of days or end of life; he says Melchizedek, just like the son of God, remains a priest for ever. And look how great he was. The great Abraham - the forefather of Israel - he's coming back from the battle and gives a tenth of everything to Melchizedek. Who blesses him.
Now think about this for a minute. Because if you're a Jew, you're used to thinking that there's nobody greater than Abraham. The idea of Abraham bowing down to someone, it's like the whole nation bows down with him. Kind of like Queensland gets beaten in the State of Origin, and everyone feels down about it. Even if you weren't even on the field. Unless, of course, you're from New South Wales. When Abraham bows down and pays tribute, it's like all his descendants bow with him. Including the descendants of Levi... who become priests later on.
So if you run your mind back to the other objection about Jesus, that he doesn't qualify because he's not a proper levite, there's a point being made here.
And that is, there's a kind of priest that's bigger and better than the Jewish Levitical Priesthood. And there always has been. Right back at the start of the Old Testament. There's a priest called melchizedek. And the Psalm said, when the messiah comes, he'll be a priest like that. Which is the logic of verses 4 to 10. Just think how great he was: He's talking about Melchizedek.
Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people - that is, their brothers - even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi... yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
When Abraham bowed down to Melchizedek, in a sense the Levites were bowing to him too. Which means there's a higher priest than the guy up the road at the temple descended from Levi. And that's the high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
And that's the crunch.
The Levitical priesthood was always just a stopgap. Always just a support act, until the real priest came. If perfection could have come through the Levitical priesthood, verse 11, why was there still a need for another priest to come. Why did God say to David, that the Christ would be a priest for ever in the order of Melchizedek? And not in the order of Aaron and the Levites.
So you think Jesus doesn't qualify because he's not a proper Levite? He's way better than that. He's the long promised high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Pick up in verse 13.
He of whom these things are said - that's Melchizedek - belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar...
Which didn't stop Melchizedek being a priest, did it? Keep reading, verse 14.
For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: "You are a priest for ever, in the order of Melchizedek."
It's not the tribe he comes from that qualifies Jesus as the permanent priest that was promised. It's the power of an indestructible life. It's the power of the resurrection. That he was crucified, that he was dead and buried. And that God brought him back to life. Priest forever.
Which is of course, the problem with their Jewish Priests. And any other sort of holy man you might want to hitch your wagon to. The problem is, they've all got a use-by date. The problem is they're so perishable. The problem is, death keeps stepping in. And stopping them in their tracks.
Jesus is a priest forever. And that makes this a whole better covenant. Verse 23 says, there have been many of those regular Jewish type priests. A long line. Because death prevents them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Which means he can save completely those who come to God through him... because he's always there. Always at God's right hand. Always interceding for us. Putting in a word on our behalf.
You know, it's interesting, I reckon our problem and our issues are about the exact reverse of the first people who heard these words in Hebrews. Because they're convinced they need a priest to stand between them and God. They've just lost their conviction that Jesus is any better than the time honoured traditions of the Priests they had before. Our problem is, unless your Catholic by background, we're not convinced we need any priest at all. Because we work from the assumption that we're so impressive as we are that God and us are just mates. That we can just bowl in to his office and put our feet up on his desk.
It's been fascinating watching the Schapelle Corby story unfold, hasn't it? And kind of scary. I've got no idea who's right and who's wrong in it. But there's on thing that's been very clear. Schapelle Corby is one person who very much needs the right middle man. Facing up to the Indonesian legal system, she just didn't have a clue. And so often it seemed like even the smallest things, she got wrong. Like don't smile at the judges. It makes you look nervous and guilty. What Schapelle so clearly needed was someone to stand between her and the judges and plead her case. And do it right. And I don't know about you, but I'm not so sure that a guy whose first name is Hotman fills the bill.
But there's no doubt, he knows the ropes. Here's a guy who's on first name terms with the judges. Here's a guy who knows how to play the media. Here's a guy who somehow got the case re-opened. And the article about him in yesterday's paper said this: "There's no doubting Hotman's presence has added a touch of Hollywood to the otherwise dour surrounds of Denpasar District Court... and for a short while, while Hotman hugs her for the cameras, the sparkle returns to Corby's [otherwise saddened] eyes."
Think about this. If you need the right sort of help, if you need the right sort of middleman just to front a Balinese court; how much more do you need the right sort of middleman to face up to God? And that's what we've got. 24/7. Permanently. I want to do a quick scan back and pick up how it works.
The end of chapter 4. Jesus can sympathise. Because he's been where we've been. And so when he speaks with God on our behalf, we can be confident we'll find mercy there. Follow it from chapter 4 verse 15.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
The next few verses say that's a prerequisite for any priest. Humanity. That leads to gentleness. Humanity; that knows what it is to suffer. Jesus has got that in truckloads. He's completely connected with humanity. And completely connected with God as well. Which brings us back to those final words of chapter 7. From verse 26.
He's like us. And yet he's right at home as the high priest in heaven. Holy. Blameless. Pure. The old kind of priests had to make sacrifices for their own sins before they could go into the temple. Jesus is blameless already. And the sacrifice he made at the cross for the rest of us... was the sacrifice that ended them all. Read chapter 7 verse 26:
Such a high priest meets our need - one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
More of that next time. But for now, what's the take home value?
Number 1, Jesus is uniquely qualified by his death and resurrection... to stand between us and God. He's the perfect middleman, with the perfect credentials. Our great high priest. Which means first and foremost that someone like you can actually approach God with confidence. And the point is, we actually need a middle man like that more than you maybe realise.
Number 2, when you've got that figured out, don't let go of it. Especially not to turn back to human rituals and human priests and the regulations that came before. There are terrible warnings about that in chapter 6. Be patient. And press on.
Number 3, if you think this stuff is all too hard, make sure you're not just being a lazy listener. Pay attention. Stay diligent to the very end. And keep your hope in the permanent priest who's been made perfect forever.