Tear down the veil
(Read Hebrews 7)
Since the outbreak of Covid-19 (Coronaviurs), life has been deeply troubling and challenging for all of us. Especially troubling, is that no knows WHEN things will return to normal. No one knows IF things will return to normal as we know it. The more news and experts I listen to, the more confused and anxious I get. So, I stay informed and I also rely on a greater expert to rest all my fears on.
The writer of Hebrews was dealing with similar anxiety with the early Jewish Christians who he was writing to. They were used to following the letter of the law for their answers, their hope, for their salvation. Hebrews 7 explains to them, that they will not find total answers, hope, or salvation in their law or their earthly priests. Only from their true high priest in the order of Melchizedek will they find perfection and salvation.
“Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.
This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.”
Priests at that time were intermediaries between us sinners and God. They were appointed by other men and helped remove sin problems. The shortcomings with this system is that neither the law, nor earthly priests could absolve mankind from sin. The veil between us and God would always be there unless there was a perfect and sinless high priest who could deliver us.
Abraham was blessed by God. He was promised a nation of descendants as numerous as grains of sand. Yet, the Priest Melchizedek was even greater than Abraham.
“Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.
This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.”
The writer of Hebrews needed to stress the superiority of Jesus Christ. All the traditions, rituals, and sacrifices in the world, would never amount to what Christ can deliver. The early Jewish Christians felt comfortable with their established religious practices to solve their problems. Hebrews 7 countered that they would never really appreciate their need for a high priest in their sinful state. The Levitical priests of the old order were men with weaknesses. Melchizedek was the highest of all earthly priests, while Jesus Christ is high priest born of an oath from God, and thus, even greater than Melchizedek.
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.”
During times of struggles, where do we turn for compassion and safety? Do we look to friends, the government, or celebrities? Do we look inward to try to fix things? Or do we look north, true north, to find mercy? During counseling with family survivors of 9/11 victims, Tim Keller mentioned that many had expressed confusion, sadness, and frustration with God. Questioning God isn’t a bad thing as long as you’re turning to Him. Keller subsequently asked the families if they refused to turn to God (angry or not), where else would they turn?
“Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.”
Many people are dealing with incredible and unspeakable hardships right now. There’s a lot we can do to make things better. We can support each other, check in on the elderly and health-compromised neighbors. We can be calming, loving, and leading members of our family. Most importantly, we can turn to and rely on the ONE person who will help us solve our worry problems. Christ will always be there. He hears all our prayers.
“For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.”
Take your fear and worries and give it to him. Tear down the veil that blocks you from God’s comfort.
“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
Matthew 27:51
Highlights:
- Do you have habits that make you feel safe or comfortable in times of stress?
- Admit it, do you try to solve world problems? Are there organizations or people you rely on to help you fix these problems?
- When you are truly worried about your future, what do you do?
Applications:
- Stress relieving habits can be useful and comforting. Normally, these “cures” don’t last because they’re habits not solutions. To add to your relief, do something FOR someone else. Pay it forward. Serve. You will find joy in service to others. Christ will also rejoice in your actions.
- When faced with uncertainty, pray and pray hard. Pray with emotion and immediacy. Prayer will not change God’s mind, but it will align you with His plan. He wants you to communicate with him. Tell him what’s on your mind.
- It might be a while before we’re out of these difficult times. We will never be able to predict the future. No matter how many articles we read or documentaries we watch, we’ll still be guessing. Be loving. Be caring. Be selfless. Worship Jesus Christ, our true high priest.
“Where we hear worship He hears faith” — Hillsong
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.