Wednesday 19 January 2011
- Bible Book:
- Hebrews
"It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life." (vv. 15-16)
Background
Some occupations run in families! There were priestly familiesin Israel which meant that fathers handed on their roles to one oftheir sons. The writer to the Hebrews towards the end of the 1stcentury after the death of Christ was aware that anyone couldn'tdecide to be a priest and serve in the Temple. You were only waschosen for this role if you belonged to the 'right family'.Becoming a priest therefore depended on who you were relatedto.
The writer is convinced that Jesus is our high priest not becausehe was born to a priestly family (after all Joseph was a carpenter)but because he died for us and because God raised him to lifeagain. The writer describes the resurrected Jesus as having an"indestructible life". Jesus dies; God raises him and then placesJesus at "his right hand" (
There is also an indication that Jesus has power, not for his ownsake but for others' benefit. And where Jesus leads all humanitycan follow. Jesus dies and is raised from death; similarly humanitycan die and will be raised. Jesus can know God intimately; allhumanity can know God intimately. In this sense Jesus brings allhumanity into the presence of God and the presence of God into allpeople and to every aspect of our lives. This re-presenting, thismaking God accessible, real and close, rather than remote ordistant is what God achieves through Jesus' life and death, hisrising and ascending.
To Ponder
What things do we inherit from others over whichwe have no control?
What does it mean for you for Jesus to havepower?
What is comforting and what is frightening aboutan "indestructible life"?