City Life Starter

Written by Paul Lane

The Word

⁵ For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.  ² He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. ³ Because of this, he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.  ⁴ And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

Hebrews 5:1-4 (ESV)

Reflection

Maybe it is just me, but have you ever wondered where Aaron ranked on the Old Testament High Priest scale?  Would he be top 10, or even top three?  If asked, could you even make a list of 10 old testament high priests?  I would think people who grow up in church could come up with Aaron, and maybe list the high priest from Jesus’ crucifixion. But I would be surprised if people today could do much more than that. 

But that is not to say that the role of the high priest has gone away.  I think we have high priest in society today, and some of them even wear robes and do a service for us to make us feel better about our sins.  If you give to the right cause, attend the right school, believe the right things, and go to the right conferences, then a modern day high priest will tell you that you are now a good person.  Funny, they communicate that message, but usually do not even bother with pointing out your sins and the need for them to be addressed.

The service Aaron performed for the people he could only perform after he offered a sacrifice for his own sins.  The washing of his sins was just enough for him to help wash the sins of others.  This worked because he was called by God to do the work.  Through obedience to God’s call Aaron was able to be effective.  It is the works of obedience mixed with faith that is the cornerstone of effectiveness for God’s people.

Also, as a ministry to God’s people, the high priest that God would provide for them had to be one who could identify with their struggles.  In our scripture today, it says “He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness” (Hebrews 5:2). In this, we are not only being called sinners, but ignorant and thick headed (wayward) sinners.  This would only be an insult if it were not true, but unfortunately it is true.

We are ignorant and thick headed.  In Al Mohler’s commentary he points out that God instituted festivals and special days for the Jews so that they would know His laws and His ways.  When the Israelites walk away from God’s commands, they are not doing it out of a lack of education; they are doing it because God’s ways have been devalued in their eyes, having known them in detail for many years.  This is the wayward and thick headed person that God is seeking to recover.

Application

So, what should we think of this message?  I would say there are several things to take away.

1. We should embrace the blessings, lessons, and festivals that God has instituted for us to remember His laws and His ways.  Yes, we should stay committed to reading our Bibles and seeking His truth.  These things are meant to be for our greater good.
2. We should recognize that it is not our knowledge that keeps us from straying from the Lord.  It is our love for His ways, His life, and His kingdom.
3. It was God’s greater wisdom that we should have a high priest that was weak, because we are weak.  So, pride is to be forsaken here.  We must go before the throne of God’s grace as ones who are weak and in need of strength.  Whether we are ministering or being ministered to, the humility of our weakness must be front and center.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You that You are patient with us, even when we wonder and rebel.  Give me the grace to humble myself, to confess my sins, and to draw closer to You every day.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.