7:23 Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
7:24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.
7:25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
7:26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
7:27 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself.
7:28 For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
Last Week
Richard did a wonderful job last week introducing the theme from this series of lectionary readings from Hebrews: Jesus as ‘High Priest”. He was right on target when he said that the High Priest image washed perfectly well with a 1st century Jewish audience who knew all about High Priests, but because we don’t have the background, it can leave us a little “ho hum” like the punch line that has to be explained.
Jesus Is The High Priest
The idea is this: Jesus, as one who lived among us and understands us, was appointed by God as High Priest to be the source of eternal salvation through his suffering and death.” If you missed his excellent sermon last week, you may want to read Hebrews 5:1-10 and read his sermon on our web site.
WIJD
The last time I was in the Cokesbury bookstore, there was a sale on WWJD bracelets, you know, “What Would Jesus Do?” For a while, it seemed like they were everywhere, and I guess it was a good idea for folks to consider a Christ-like response to situations that come up every day. Like most other things that grab our attention for a time, the campaign seems to have faded into the background. I have wondered privately whether the fading interest was because the action called for is simply raising a question and not the follow through with action. I was tempted to make my own “WWGD” bracelets to make the point. “Wonder who’s gonna do it?” I know, “do it” is supposed to be two words. Not where I grew up. “To it” is one word also, as in “get around tuit.” So when the theme for this week’s Hebrews passage showed itself, you can see how I thought of it as WIJD, “What is Jesus doing?” It struck me as the theme when one of the commentators said that the writer of Hebrews is seeking to answer this question: What is Jesus doing between “Christ is risen!” and “Christ will come again!” So let’s consider WIJD: What is Jesus doing?
I. Jesus is Permanent – Eternal!
7:23 Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office;
7:24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.
The WildernessTabernacle
So, what about the earthly High Priests? In the wilderness tabernacle, the high priest would do a number of special cleansing rituals to purge himself of his own sinfulness, and then offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people.
Our Communion Service
Our communion liturgy picks up a sense of that same principle. When I say, “In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven,” you say back to me, “In the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven.” Before we get very far into the process of preparing our hearts to receive the sacraments, both those served and the one serving are assured of the forgiveness of their sins.
Succession of High Priests
In the same way, the people gathered at the wilderness tabernacle had experienced priest make the burnt offering on the altar for the sins of the people repeatedly over many years, as one aging and dying high priest would be replaced by a younger priest, so that there would always be one who would intercede with God for the people’s sins.
Jesus Is the One and Only High Priest
The writer of Hebrews wants us to know that in Jesus, we have one who is at his work of forgiveness and intercession… permanently. We’ll never have to remember the name of the latest high priest. There is only one! And his name is… Jesus.
De-centralizing of Power
In a world (not to mention economy!) that sometimes seems uncertain and unpredictable, the thought of Jesus as doing his work permanently, eternally, has a comforting ring to it.
About the time my mother was a child, most decisions that affected the lives of ordinary citizens in town and country America were made down the street in the City Hall. Over time, many of the important decisions passed to the County Seat, then to the State, then to the Federal Government. Now many of the things that affect our lives the most are decided the boardrooms of multi-national corporations. As more and more decision making power moved step by step further and further away from the people, it has become easier and easier to be worried and cynical about the future. Some even grasp at what little power they can grab in whatever groups they find themselves in, in a desperate attempt to feel they have some control over their lives. Pastors sometimes see that process at work in the church.
The Chandelier
I know you’ve heard the old story of the man who tried to block the purchase of a chandelier for a church’s sanctuary for months. When he was finally asked just what his problem was with it, he said, “We don’t need it, we can’t afford it, and not one of you here can play it.”
The Loss of Control
All of us have felt that “loss of control” at one time or another about our financial security, our health care, or the ones the love. The list could go on and on.
The letter to the Hebrews reminds us that whatever else seems shaky, we have one looking out for us who is always there and will never be replaced by retirement or when the company downsizes.
Roots, Place, and Belonging
We all need roots, place, and belonging. And if things seem uncertain in real life, we can put our trust, our hope, our future in Jesus’ hands.
A United Methodist Lectionary commentator put it this way:
“The good news in this week's passage is that we will never be asked to adjust to another Savior and there will never be a new and improved plan for our salvation. What God has done for us is permanent! Glory to God! “
II. Jesus Intercedes for Us
7:25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Grab A Line… And Plow!
As an associate pastor, I’ve heard a lot of sermons, and most of them twice. During my time at Asbury UMC in Memphis, I enjoyed hearing the stories told as illustrations by Senior pastor (and good friend) Donald Moorhead, who has now gone to be with God. He loved to talk about one of the farmer / patriarchs of his family who had such a deep faith. As he got older, one thing after another happened to slow down his farming, but nothing would stop him. For years he had plowed a vegetable garden in straight, even rows, holding onto a plow pulled by a mule. Can’t you just smell the rich, dark, fragrant earth being turned over as the metal blade cut through the ground and hear the jangle of the mule harness and the flapping of the hardware. Then, blindness struck him, and the family was worried, waiting to see how the old man would cope with it. Some time later, the mule team once again came out of the barn, and the perfectly straight plowed rows appeared on the Tennessee soil. Slowly and painstakingly, this God loving farmer had strung clothesline on posts above each row of the garden, in spite of his blindness. And to hear him tell it, when you’re blind and it’s time to plant, you just “grab a line and plow.” Can’t you see him with one hand in the air holding on to the clothesline, and the other hand holding the plow, while hollering out the gee haws to the mule. I wondered where he got that kind of grist and perseverance. Maybe this will help explain it…
Where Could I Go?
Sometime later as his health continued downhill, the Mooreheads visited him in the hospital. His days of farming were over and his days on earth had dwindled down to a just a few. As they looked at his form, now down to a fraction of it’s former size and gazed at his closed eyes set in a grizzly unshaven face, they thought he was asleep. But they heard a small noise that sounded like he was trying to say something. “What is it, pop?” A little louder, they could hear “Where could I go?” “Do you want to go somewhere, Pop?” He shook his head a little to say “no.” Even louder, “Where could I go!” The Moorheads looked at each other, no knowing what to say or do. The next thing the old man said told the tale! “Where could I go,” he said… “but to the Lord!” The comfortable and reassuring words of an old gospel hymn had come back to him in one of his last hours on earth.
The Old Southern Gospel Song
Maybe you’ve heard it. (Lyrics printed in entirety. Only chorus quoted in the sermon.)
* * * * * * * * * * *
WHERE COULD I GO
words & music by JB Coates * copyright 1940 Stamps-Baxter Music
(a division of Brentwood-Baxter Music Publishing,Inc)
Sung (on U-Tube) by Rodney & Darlene Cowley Breshear
Verse 1
Living below in this old sinful word, Hardly a comfort can afford;
Striving alone to face temptations sore, Where could I go but to the Lord?
Chorus
Where could I go, O where could I go, Seeking a refuge for my soul?
Needing a friend to save me in the end, Where could I go but to the Lord?
Verse 2
Neighbors are kind, I love them eve'ry one, We get along in sweet accord;
But when my soul needs manna from above, Where could I go but to the Lord?
Chorus
Verse 3
Life here is grand with friends I love so dear; Comfort I get from God's own word;
Yet when I face the chilling hand of death, Where could I go but to the Lord?
Chorus
* * * * * * * * * * *
When we can’t go to anyone else who can help, we can go to the Lord, who intercedes for us.
7:25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
III. Jesus Made The Sacrifice For Our Sins
7:26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
7:27 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself.
The Atonement
The “offering of himself” is part of the mystery of the atonement, isn’t it. Perhaps the Philippians hymn says it best (Philippians 2:5-11):
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Looking At The Sanctuary Cross
When we look up at the cross, we do just that! We bow, we confess that Jesus is Lord! We confess our sins. We remember that because of Jesus, our sins are forgiven!
Please say it back to me: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! (In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!)
IV.The “Servant” Is Not Weak!
V.
7:28 For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
Sociology 101 – “High Priests”
Seems like I remember from my sociology 101 that every society and many key groups within those societies have folks that function as it’s “High Priests”. Who are the high priests in our society who walk the corridors of power and influence. When I mention religion, who comes to mind? What about the world of… entertainment, finance, government, and sports? My oh my, don’t people invest so much in them!
Human Weakness Common Thread
What do they all share in common? Probably many things, but what comes to my mind is human weakness! And when they fall, so many mis-placed hopes fall with them. Maybe the writer of Hebrews was inviting his Jewish audience to remember some of the high priests in their religious observance who maybe didn’t turn out to be so high after all, like some in our day who rise and fall on late night television.
My heart goes out to all those who are invited to fill shoes they aren’t ready to fill or who trip on their human shoestrings. My heart goes out to all who are caught in the undertow of pride and who begin to believe that they are better than other folks. Even the best of us have weaknesses. We know that God uses imperfect human vessels to do his work, but we hate to be reminded that all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God! The writer of Hebrews would have us look beyond them to the one to whom our human “high priests” are pointing if we seek perfection and permanence, a “Son who has been made perfect… forever.”
Conclusion
“Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.” The words from our Holy Communion liturgy will be heard again next Sunday. If you’re wondering WIJD (What is Jesus Doing) between Christ has risen and Christ will come again, a word of hope shines out in the 7th chapter of Hebrews.
No matter how insecure we may find ourselves feeling in life right now, we are invited to look to Jesus who not only has heard our confession and forgiven us, but who is always at work interceding for us. That work is going on this very moment… and always!
Fred Craddock
Bible scholar and preacher Fred Craddock has said that Hebrews paints the most human picture of Jesus of any New Testament book. That’s witness is important, because the one who is in a position to forgive, to intercede for us, and even to judge… really knows us and was one of us!
We Need Someone “Standing In The Gap”
There are so many needs in our personal world and in the world around us. We all need someone to “stand in the gap” for us.
Temple Worship
In the memory of those addressed by the writer of Hebrews, it was primarily the temple priest who “stood in the gap” for the people in worship.
Synagogue
Back then, in their synagogue worship, there was also a group of ten required to say the daily prayers for others.
The Work of Intercession Is Our Job Too!
All of us, as the body of Christ in our day, have this priestly ministry of intercession through the priesthood of all believers.
So you and I stand in the gap for others, offering to God all the needs and blessings of this life, even as Jesus stands in the gap in heaven for us all.*
Original follows: “The world needs someone to "stand in the gap" for its needs. In Israel's temple worship, that was primarily the priest. In Israel's synagogue worship, that was the "minyan," that gathering of at least ten men required for the daily prayers to be said for the larger community. As the body of Christ, the priesthood of the believers, it is all of us. We, together, are given this priestly ministry of intercession so that we will stand in the gap here, offering to God all the needs and blessings of this life, even as Jesus stands in the gap in heaven for us all.“
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