Friday 27 October 2023

Background

The priests who performed the many Jewish sacrificial rituals didn’t sit down while performing these sacred acts, whether in the daily services or during special events such as the Day of Atonement. This is used as further evidence by the writer of today's reading to suggest that their work is never completed. Day after day, year after year, they performed the same rituals, offerings and sacrifices and yet the people's sins were not taken away. The writer contrasts this with the image of Christ on a heavenly throne, a High Priest who is sitting not standing. Christ’s work is done as he has “offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins”. (v. 12) He can therefore sit and no longer needs to stand.

The reference to “a footstool for his feet” (v. 13) reminds those reading and listening to the letter of the words of the psalmist, “The Lord says to my lord, ‘sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool’" (Psalm 110:1). This provides further backing to the arguments being made by the writer to the Hebrews that this was God’s intention, and is intended to help the Hebrews to whom the letter is written to have the confidence and perhaps bravery to leave behind their traditional rituals, which would still be the cultural norm, and embrace a new and better reality.

As if to underline this further, the writer returns to a quote from the prophet Jeremiah that has already been used earlier in the letter (Hebrews 8:10,12). This re-emphasises his central point, again predicted by the Old Testament prophets, that Christ has brought a new covenant into being and that by doing this for all people has brought forgiveness of sins for all. Therefore the need for regular, repeated ritual sacrifice is redundant. After hundreds of years and countless numbers of animals sacrificed the people were no nearer the attainment of their aim than in the time of Moses. However the single offering of Christ is perfect and enough for all time.

To Ponder:

• Pray today for those who lead worship in the churches and places you are connected to.
• In the Methodist Covenant Service those present are invited to share in the gracious covenant in Jesus Christ and commit themselves saying “I am no longer my own but yours. Your will, not mine, be done in all things.” You are invited to make this your prayer today.

Prayer

God of Covenant, you promised us new life in Christ and for that we are truly grateful. Help us to live no longer for ourselves but for you, in all things and at all times. Amen.