Priests

"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Hiself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time." -1 Timothy 2:5-6

"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." -Hebrews 4:15


I've been reading in Hebrews lately, and there is a MAJOR concept that the book presents that I feel is so timeless and crucial. It has to do with priests.

One of Hebrews' arguments is that Christ is of the order of Melchizedek (which we will NOT get into today) and that this order is higher than the order of Aaron. In a nutshell, Mel came during the time of Abraham and represents a pre-law "better" way of doing things.

The tendency of man is to present for himself priests. When the primal instincts take over and cultic rituals begin to develop in a heathen culture, certain leaders among them seem to always become priests. These men lead in sacrifices and demonic rituals. They represent a sort of mediator between the spirit world and the physical. In some cases we even call them "mediums."

This tendency is not limited to uncivilized or ancient cultures. Even among the world's most long-enduring religions, we find priests at the center. Men are looking for those among them who will speak to god or the gods and bring forth his/their messages.

It reminds me of the attitude of the people of Israel in Exodus 20 when they heard God speak to all of them. They couldn't handle it. They said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die."

Now it is not my place to speculate, but could it be that God's BEST for Israel was this direct, personal communication? Perhaps in Exodus 20 we are getting a beautiful glimpse into what God's heart desired: The giving of the 10 Commandments in an audible voice in such a way that each man was accountable directly to God Himself. I guess the question is irrelevant since God knew that the people would reject His direct, personal communication. And so began the creation of a priesthood that was (according to Hebrews) inferior from the start.

I guess my point today is that we, in a church where tongues of fire (the Spirit) have fallen on each individual (see Acts 2), still struggle with trying to set up priests for ourselves. We tend to think that the youth pastor or pastor or Sunday School teacher or famous speaker or band has a corner on God that is special. It's like they are naturally closer to Him or something. Like they can hear and see things that us "regular folks" can't.

Forunately, 1 Timothy makes is clear that now things are undeniably different. There is now only ONE MEDIATOR between God and man, Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully man. No other man will or may act in the place of priest for us. We all have a direct line to God Himself through the blood of Christ. But there is no need to fear, for our mediator has suffered in every way that we have, yet without sin, making Him the perfectly acceptable sacrifice, as well as the priest who offers it, all at the same time. This is gospel. God now dwells in the hearts of men through His Holy Spirit, and we can all bodly approach the throne of grace with confidence.

In Christ,
Andy