October 25, 2009 - Part 4

Hebrews 7:23-28

23 Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. 25Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike 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. 28For 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 for ever.

The beginning of this chapter introduced the readers to Melchizadek, at one time a high priest and king in the region of Israel and felt by some to be greater than Abraham, whom Melchizadek blessed, according to Genesis 14. Therefore, from a Christian perspective, Christ as high priest is greater than all the Levites, even if they are descended from Abraham.

This is a good example of Christian midrash (interpretation) on an older text. The author of Hebrews is blending the story of Melchizadek with the Christian superiority complex. For early Christians with a Jewish background, this continuity between Melchizadek and Christ translated into a sense of security. While priests live and die, this is one priest (Christ) who will intercede on their behalf forever.

The stories of priests in the scriptures often raise questions of corruption, exploitation of the role where one intercedes with God on another’s behalf. In Christian faith, especially the Reformed tradition, we are encouraged to go directly to Christ, without requiring intervention of a priest.

Question for reflection:
How do you understand the role or need for clergy, in the midst of your relationship with God?