23rd November, 2010

BRUCE C. WEARNE

Read Hebrews 6: 13-20

If these dull and hard-of-hearing Hebrews needed any encouragement to follow Abraham's example and "keep going", this is it. Since Ur of Chaldees it was always going to be in long-suffering patience that those called gain whatever God has promised to give them (see also James 1: 2-8).

But how do God's weakened-by-sin image bearers in their walking around on the earth now find the long-suffering patience they need to receive what God has promised to give? The better road, the better option, lies on the path that God has opened up to us. But how is this path to be found as a way that opens up to what God provides? This "mystery of grace", reminds us of Thomas' querulous comment:  "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" (John 14: 5).

That was the question of a disciple who had, at that point, sufficiently grasped his need to at least ask the question, but who had not yet appreciated, with the Holy Spirited certainty of Pentecost, the need of all God's chosen, for a priest, an intercessor, who is able
"with compassionate ability (to) work with the ignorant and the wayward" (5: 2).

And perhaps also at that time Thomas was not yet fully aware of his need for a King on His way to a Glory who exercises such a service to those in His train. But that is the same issue which that the writer is here dealing with. Jesus, our representative, "from the inner side of the veil", restores "God's-Own" image in us, and did so by His long-suffering patience and now He indeed takes us along with Him. That is what we are called to repentantly believe! Our receiving of God's gifts with patience indeed images how the Great High Priest continues to work with His still ignorant and wayward fellows.

God has promised and God keeps His promises. The oath to Abraham was given to encourage those following in Abraham's line. The promise holds even for those who are sluggish and hard of hearing, those who need to be reminded that God doesn't forget the care and service rendered even if they forget the good that they have done (6: 10,12) or indeed the good which has been done unto them.

This provision of a priestly service, unlike that of Aaron, is perpetual. And "the hope set before us" (verse 18) coincides with the "the joy set before Him" (12: 2) when Jesus faced the prospect of the cross. Jesus is thus our "fore-running representative" (6: 20) clearing the way so that "our rest" will indeed coincide with the Lord's Sabbath that now awaits God's people (4: 9).

Melchizedek's benediction after the deliverance of Lot, while blessing Abram, was also a psalm acknowledging the Lord God who had gained this victory: "Blessed be Abram by God Most High (El Elyon), maker of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High who has delivered your enemies into your hand" (Genesis 14: 19-20).

The Priestly-King imparted God's blessing and in turn offered thanks, blessing the Most High for His deliverance. Like the Royal Priest's blessing, the Lord's promise to Abraham (Genesis 15: 1-6) was similarly double-sided. It conveyed the Lord's promise of Abraham's perpetual safety as well the guarantee that He, the Almighty Lord (YHWH), was Abraham's reward. The "two irrevocable sides" of God's promise (verse 18), are being definitively kept by the Priestly-Kingship of Jesus. And so, by taking our lead from our "fore-running representative", we too participate in the priestly pronouncement of the Lord's blessing of continued patient service to all those whom God brings across our path. Ours are thankful hearts to the Almighty for His persistent protection on the way to His final victory.

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