Scripture Text (NRSV)
5:1 Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of
things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and
sacrifices for sins.
5:2 He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he
himself is subject to weakness;
5:3 and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as
well as for those of the people.
5:4 And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only
when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5:5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest,
but was appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I
have begotten you";
5:6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever,
according to the order of Melchizedek."
5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and
supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to
save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent
submission.
5:8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he
suffered;
5:9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal
salvation for all who obey him,
5:10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the
order of Melchizedek.
Comments:
Gee, I guess it's a good thing I'm not a high priestess!
Sally in GA
Using imagery borrowed from Jewish worship, the letter to the Hebrews
describes Jesus as a great high priest who offers himself as a
sacrifice for our sins.
The privilege and honour attached to the office of high priest is not
something to be grasped (as in "we want you to do for us whatever we
ask"), but comes in a call offered by God. Christ, who could have
claimed the prerogative of Son, instead evidenced his acceptance of
God's calling in his life of obedience and suffering. Christ's
humility in this service forms another invitation to find our place
and calling in servanthood.
The reference to Melchizedek might refer to even more that just a
great high priest because Melchizedek was also the king of Salem,
which later became Jerusalem. According to my cross-reference, Salem
or Shalem meant "peaceful" (possibly from the same source as shalom?).
So the high priest is also the king, which would indeed be a special
order, and the king is the King of Peace? Some early ponderings. Mike
in Soddy Daisy, TN
Why is it that almost everyone is looking at the gospel text instead
of this epistle? Are we uncomfortable with the imagry of the high
priest? I'm using the lectionary as a guide to go through the sermon
of Hebrews for the next couple months and am finding it fascinating
and very contemporary.
This section serves as some foundational meat for the hearers of
Hebrews to chew on. The Preacher chastizes them in chapter 6 for being
under-developed Christians and seems to hint backwards to this passage
on Christology as being something they should have already grasped yet
haven't. The Preacher nudges and pushes the hearers to make sure that
this foundation is solid and then build on it, not re-examine it
forever.
I like the way the Preacher seems to have a balanced Christolgy which
emphasizes both the humanity and divinity of Christ (a little less is
said about the humanity since that is what his hearers readily saw,
but the balance is still presented).
Anyway, a really good resource to look at if you can is Thomas Long's
commentary on Hebrews (part of the Interpretation series) - he uses
great metaphors in bringing the points across.
Amittai Dominic (back after a bit of a hiatus of non-lectionary
preaching)
There is a common thread running through all of the lections. The
connection is often discussed on this forum. It rounds out the message
quite nicely.
Annitai Dominic -
My hesitation lies in v. 4. "When called by God." It almost sounds
like it dictates that we proclaim ourselves to have been called by
God, and let's face it, the vast majority of us only really BELIEVE
ourselves to be called by God.
I've only known one man whose call came to him like Samuel's. He was
sleeping and thought his mother was calling him. After a couple times,
his mom caught on and she said for him to say, "Speak, Lord, for your
servant is listening." His testimony gave us all chills.
Most of us, however, can only claim to be "led" into ministry. and we
MUST recognize that there is room for human error in that call.
Sally
I know several ministers who are in it for the prestige of having
everyone call them Reverend. They have no interest in doing anything
but pointing out how much other people don't know. They liked the
challenge of the education. They like being the center of attention.
But they don't like the people. I worked with one of those kinds once.
Hope never to again. It was depressing.
Hmm, it seems I've touched on a sensitive area without even intending
to. I do agree that most of us can only claim to be "led" into
ministry - that realization certainly serves as a constant call to
humility and makes me work at re-discovery of the call. "The
Unnecessary Pastor" by Marva Dawn and Eugene Peterson is a good
reminder of that sort of thing.
But anyway, what I actually meant by my comment of being uncomfortable
with the image of the high priest was a reflection on Christ's role,
not on our roles. I guess I wonder sometimes if we think we even need
a mediator to come to God. We've often made coming to God such a
casual thing that we don't even give a second thought to what we are
doing: coming before a being so far beyond us that we can't even
comprehend God's vastness - to use an image from Babylon 5 (I'm a
junkie) its like an ant looking at a human (or Narn) who had just
picked it up and asks another ant "what was that?". God is so infinite
and we are so finite and yet we casually ask God to help us find a
parking spot without a second thought.
The mediating role of Christ is of utmost importance as is highlighted
in this passage. I just wonder if sometimes we would like to forget
about that role and just go hang with "Buddy Jesus" (cf "Dogma")
Anyway those are my thoughts as I procrastinate from writing my
sermon.
Amittai Dominic
To Sally in Ga.
When I examine the whole idea of "Being called by God" it seems to me
that there are many ways that it happens, and not all have the
experience of Samuel, or some radical call like Paul on the road to
Damascus. I knew I had a call when I was about 5 after hearing some
missionaries speak. I had a definite sense of saying yes. Obviously,
at that point I had no idea of what that would look like. But then, I
can pinpoint places along my life, where that sense of call was
reaffirmed; jr.High, H.S. College, and then it was reaffirmed by my
faith community who began to call gifts out in me. The part I found
interesting was going to my 10th High School reunion, just as I was
completing seminary, and told people that I was in process to being
ordained as a pastor. Most of them said, "Oh, that comes as no
surprise!" Just like salvation, some are raised in the church and have
a gradual and gentle growth, and others have a radical conversion
experience. But neither should doubt it's truth or validity.
Susan in Wa.
By the way, I am 46 and still hear things like, "We'll explain it to
you when you are old enough to understand!"
My journey into ministry was bizarre. I loved church work, and wanted
to be a DCE. All doors leading down that path slammed shut while doors
to ordination flew open. Wasn't interested, but went to Seminary
anyway. Still wasn't interested. Took and passed Ord exams, much to my
surprise. Still wasn't interested. Graduated. Never began the process
of being taken under care of Presbytery, a requirement for ordination.
Presbytery waived the requirement without my asking. Things continued
to fall into place while I wasn't even looking. Was I called to
ministry? I would say somebody wanted me here. And I could not be any
more grateful than I am. I have no special skills, am not particularly
smart, and I am a mess in social settings. And still God has a place
for me in his Church's leadership. Wow.
KHC
I was intrigued by the idea of the priest representing humanity to God
when usually people expect the priest to represent God to them. I am
showing a clip from the movie, "You can count on me" which shows this
very clearly.
Challenges me to go to God in advocacy for the people in my
congregation.
Stan from WA
