Visual Lenten Reflections:
As we find in Hebrews 4:14 – 5:10, Christ Jesus is the King, The Priest & the Sacrifice. He sacrificed Himself on our behalf that we can be brought HOME “to dwell with in the house of the Lord forever” — or put another way, God became human so that humans might be the sons and daughters of God. If He, our great King and High Priest was willing to sacrifice Himself on our behalf rather than merely exercise raw power, what is the inevitable outcome in our lives?
Hebrews 4:14–16
4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
5:1 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.
5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;
6 as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Consider the parallels between the Brazen Serpent of Numbers 21:4 – 9 & Jesus’ statement about His needing to be “Lifted up” in John 3:14 – 15 and how this leads directly into John 3:16 – 21.
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the type set down in the Old Testament. As a matter of fact, it is for this reason that Eastern Orthodox Bishops use the Brazen Serpent motif in their episcopal croziers (shepherd’s staffs). They point toward Jesus’ having been lifted up that all who have been called to look upon Him and believe might have life in the face of death itself.
Let us consider our own sins and sinfulness & gaze with love and longing at the one Lifted Up on our behalf.
On this 3rd Friday of Lent, I am reminded of the classic story of The Times of London having once queried then well-known authors and essayists for their responses to the following question:
“What’s wrong with the world today?”
G.K. Chesterton, the British Christian novelist, essayist and newspaperman, responding from a place of faithful conviction, sent his response:
“Dear Sir,
I am.
Yours, G.K. Chesterton.”
On this 3rd Friday, as we anticipate Good Friday and remember that cosmically important Friday afternoon in which Christ Jesus sacrificed Himself for us, let us prayerfully consider our own responses to this question in relation to Christ’s role as The Sacrificial Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.
Sunday’s Gospel portion is from John Chapter 2 and reports Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple. In that cleansing, Jesus exercises His authority as Prophet, Priest and King. He is warning the religious authorities, the people, the merchants and the civil governors that they are failing to observe the “Spirit of the Law” even as they observe its ceremonies.
In doing this, Jesus — the Son of God & Son of Man — sits upon the Throne and exercises His three-fold office:
[1] He is the High Priest Who cleanses the Temple of impurity;
[2] He is the Prophet Who gives His father’s warning of the need for personal and corporate repentance from sin; and,
[3] He is the King of kings Who sits upon God’s Throne and exercises authority over the Law that He created and administers.
Remember that the Ark of the Covenant, which held two copies of the Law within it, was the portable Throne of Yahweh. As Christ sits upon His Father’s Throne, He is “Emmanuel” (God with us)! The living God both judges and justifies us. But that justification will require a sacrifice; His SACRIFICE of Himself.
Ponder upon Christ’s person, work and grace as we consider our own INSURRECTION against His legitimate Sovereign authority. Then consider that He suffered the capital sentence that our guilt merits.
Consider the wounds Christ bore on our behalf. Consider the size and and roughness of the nails that pierced Him. Consider the part each of us have played in the driving of those spikes and of the great love and grace He bestowed upon us in the face of such faithlessness on our part.
As has been observed before, the only thing we supply toward our salvation is the sin that makes it necessary.