3rd September, 2010

BRUCE C. WEARNE

Read Hebrews 2: 14-18

In His complete solidarity with us, Christ Jesus took on our flesh and blood, and now as Our King He blesses us as our High Priest. (This is the theme which shall occupy the letter writer from here on.) This reiterates the earlier theme the writer had developed from the outset of his letter. He began "where they were at" in their Christian profession, confirming their human respect for all of God's messengers, including angels.

But that respect is now redirected away from the messengers to the Person who, in these latter days, has come as the One who Was, Is and Always will be God's Message of mercy (12 :2, 13: 8). By His Coming we are told not simply that the Son binds Himself to our human condition, but that in so doing we are bound to, and share with, Him in the deepest way possible. He binds us to Himself as the Shepherd of Israel binds Himself to His sheep: "My sheep hear my voice and because I know them they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand." (John 10: 27-28).

PICTURE: © Milan Klusacek "Israel's Shepherd, the long awaited Davidic King had lain down His life for the sheep just as He had said He would. The Shepherd is their death-defeating King and Priest who ensures their cleansing since they now everlastingly depend upon Him."

Israel's Shepherd, the long awaited Davidic King had lain down His life for the sheep just as He had said He would (John 10: 22-30). The Shepherd is their death-defeating King and Priest who ensures their cleansing since they now everlastingly depend upon Him (10: 36). Because of His union with them, they are rendered holy, fit to be presented before the Most High. The Son has been sent to restore and to re-create one people, one flock, a redemptive work in which the Son and the Father are totally united.

In His suffering and death, God's mercy is concretely demonstrated. His sacrifice was fully subjective, whereas previously it had been an objective offering. In line with Abraham's prophetic reassurance to Isaac as they climbed Mount Moriah, later on the Mosaic law would stipulate that a spotless lamb would henceforth be the propitiatory offering for sins: "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son" (Genesis 22: 8).

But now the Lamb has been provided. By the time this letter was written, John the Baptist had paid the price for greeting the dawn of a new day of justice and righteousness. The Lord was now dealing with Israel and the world in a new way, as the Baptist had directed his disciples away from himself: "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1: 29).

Jesus has shown His disciples that, with Him as their high priest (HARCHIEREUS verse17, compare HARCHON (beginning) 2: 3 and HARCHEGON (prince, captain) 2: 10), God is now dwelling in the midst of His people. The power of death to enslave His Image has been overcome. The evil one who held that power has been utterly defeated. Eternal life is poured out.

This Person is indeed Abraham's "sure reward" (Genesis 15: 1), the very One in whom "all the peoples of the earth will be blessed" (Genesis 12: 1-3). And from this One we can now understand the extremely difficult matter of Abraham's obedience to the Almighty, even to the extent of following the Almighty's stringent commands to the letter in relation to Isaac.

Now those who find themselves emancipated from the fear of death after the coming of the Davidic King have the "timely assistance" they need when they are confronted by death - whether it be their own, or those they love or anyone. That emancipation has the immediate effect of releasing people in bondage so that they might live out their days, knowing who has given them their flesh and blood and with the blessing the Lord bestows on their heads. Happy are they (Matthew 5: 1-16).

He will bring His children to safety because, like Isaiah the prophet, He has bound Himself, and His Office, to them. This is the One who had to allow Himself to be tested to the limit, the One in whom and with whom we can now pray with greatest assurance: "and lead us not into temptation; save us from the time of trial but deliver us from evil; rescue us from the evil one" (Matthew 6: 13).

The angels were not so honoured in God's plans for His Image Bearer. They can only catch their breath as they sing, "Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth shalom to those on whom His favour rests."

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