Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Sunday, October 30-November 5 (B) – Hebrews 9:11-14
Focus: Making Things Right

word of life
“… how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!”
Hebrews 9:14 (NRSV)

Read Hebrews 9:11-14

Our reading continues the theme of Jesus as the great high priest. The verses for today make reference to the most significant and important responsibility of the high priest. On the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) the high priest offered blood sacrifices for his sins and the sins of his people. (The detailed ritual is found in Leviticus 16.) No work was to be done that day. Fasting and penance were observed. The high priest was to enter the temple and offer a bull (without blemish) as a sacrifice for his sins and the sins of his house/lineage. Then, he was to take the blood of the bull and the blood of a goat (also without blemish) and go behind a veil to enter the Holy of Holies. (This was the only time during the year the Holy of Holies was entered.) The blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat as a sacrifice for the sins of the people. Another live goat was then presented, and the priest was to lay both hands on the goat and transfer all the sins and faults of the people. This goat – the scapegoat – was then caste off into the desert, carrying with it all the people’s sins.
  1. What was the purpose of animal sacrifice in the Jewish faith?
  2. How do we understand sacrifice in the Christian faith?

The author of Hebrews obviously knew the ritual well and used the theme of the blood of the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement to articulate and interpret the sacrifice of Jesus. The sacrifice of Christ – the shedding of his blood – reconciled us to God and restored or atoned the relationship between God and sinful humanity (at-one-ment). Christ as the great high priest entered “…once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12 NRSV) Once again, the sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient for all time. It does not need to be offered again and again.

This theme echoes the Gospel of Matthew’s account of the Last Supper. After blessing and distributing the bread, Jesus took a cup of wine, blessed it, and gave it to his disciples saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28 NRSV) The old covenant of the Day of Atonement, with the blood of animal sacrifices, is replaced by a new covenant, sealed by the blood of Jesus.
  1. How would you define “atonement”?
  2. How is Holy Communion related to atonement?

This section concludes by comparing the sacrifice of animals with the sacrifice of Jesus. If the blood of animals sanctify and reconcile God’s people defiled by sin, “… how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!” (Hebrews 9:14 NRSV) In Christ, the great high priest becomes the pure, unblemished sacrifice which restores us to God.
  1. What does it mean to you for Christ to have been sacrificed?
  2. How does the sacrifice of Christ change your life?
word among us
The Christian faith is one of great paradox. Those who are last will be first; the lowly will be lifted up, and mighty will be caste down; strength is found in weakness; death brings life. A cross becomes a crown.
  1. Can you think of other paradoxes in the Bible?
  2. Are the paradoxes of the Christian faith comforting or unsettling? Why?

The reading from Hebrews describes yet another paradox of the faith. Jesus, the great high priest, pure and sinless, offers a holy sacrifice, not of animals as an earthly high priest. No, Jesus’ sacrifice is of himself. Through his suffering, death, obedience to God, and resurrection, Jesus bridges the chasm between God and humanity. He pours out his life-blood for all. The priest becomes the perfect sacrifice, putting us in a right relationship with God.
  1. What does it mean to have a right relationship with God?

Sometimes, when a relationship has been strained, one of the parties will say, “I want to make things right.” It is an acknowledgement that something is broken and needs to be repaired. It is an expression of commitment to the relationship. It reflects a desire for reconciliation. Through his sacrificial obedience and his suffering and death, Jesus says in word and deed, “I want to make things right. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The words from Hebrews express it well: “… how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God.”
(Hebrews 9:14 NRSV)
  1. Give other examples when someone has said, “I want to make things right.”
  2. What impact did this expressed desire have on the situation or the relationship?
  3. Take a moment to silently reflect if there are some relationships you need to make right.

faith practice in daily life
Hear God’s Word and share in the Lord’s Supper

We gather weekly to celebrate a new covenant – one sealed by Jesus. We not only hear the words of the covenant; we experience it as we gather around bread and wine. Our relationship with God is restored through the sacrificial gift we receive in Holy Communion.

As we celebrate this reconciliation, we proclaim the paradox of the faith: “Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God. This is the feast of victory for our God, for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 140) The Lamb who was sacrificed is the risen Lord of all creation, and we know the freedom of forgiveness.
  1. Think through the liturgy in your worship service. Are there other instances of paradox? Are there other expressions of Jesus’ sacrifice?

Prayer
O Jesus, you were willing to die on the cross to make things right. We praise you for your sacrifice for us. Amen
last word
Take the initiative to make things right
with someone in your life

used with permission
Daily Faith Practices
Written by John and Robin McCullough-Bade
Copyright © 2012 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
May be reproduced for local, non-sale use provided the above copyright notice is included.
www,ekca,org/dailyfaithpractices

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Wednesday, October 21, 2015



Sunday, October 23-29 (B) – Hebrews 7:23-28
Focus: Christ as our Intercessor

word of life
“Consequently he (Jesus) is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (NRSV)

Read Hebrews 7:23-28

The theme of Jesus as the great high priest continues in the readings for today. The author of Hebrews makes the case for the designation of Jesus as the great high priest by contrasting Jesus with human priests. There were many human priests because they were mortal; death ended their continuance in the priestly role. But Jesus as the high priest will continue to serve forever because he has been raised from death and lives forever. (Hebrews 7:23-24) Unlike the earthly priests, who are required to offer sacrifices for sin day after day, Jesus’ sacrifice of himself is a “once-and-for-all” offering (a word used frequently in Hebrews). Its effect lasts forever. (Hebrews 7:27)
  1. What does it mean to you to think of Jesus as the great high priest?
  2. What is the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection being a “once-and-for-all” event?
Having established that Jesus is the only true continual high priest, he is able for all time and all people to save “…those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (NRSV)

Serving as mediator or intercessor is the central role of the high priest. He is to act on behalf of the faith community to serve as a bridge between God and humanity. The imagery of Jesus interceding to God on our behalf is also found in Paul’s letter to the Romans: “It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.” (Romans 8:34 NRSV)
  1. Is it comforting to know that Jesus intercedes for us?
  2. How do you experience that intercession?

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus uniquely qualify him to serve as intercessor. He identifies with humanity because, like earthly priests, he suffered death; but unlike earthly priests, in his resurrection, he always lives. His intercession, therefore, for those who follow him is unceasing and serves as the permanent bridge between God and us.
  1. Which imagery – intercessor, mediator, or bridge – do you find most helpful? Why?
  2. Do you find this comparison of Jesus to a high priest helpful or not? Explain your answer.
  3. Do you feel you need someone to intercede on your behalf? Explain your answer.

The author of Hebrews enumerates in eloquent language the attributes of Jesus as high priest: “holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:26 NRSV) Many scholars believe that this verse was an early Christian hymn. Jesus is not portrayed as a high priest with faults and blemishes, having to seek forgiveness for his sins, meekly on his knees interceding for us. Rather, his attributes are those of God, holy and exalted above the heavens. His intercession on our behalf thereby brings forgiveness, life, and salvation.
  1. What are other attributes of Jesus?
  2. When you describe Jesus, how quickly do you mention his role as high priest? Why do you think that is so?
word among us
There are distinct advantages to being a part of a large family with many brothers and sisters. One such advantage is having a variety of strategies available when asking a parent for permission to go somewhere or do something special. If an older sibling could be enlisted to ask on your behalf, there might be a better chance at getting the desired response. When asked by an older sibling “Can John and I go to the ball game?” the parent might be more inclined to say, ”Yes” than asking to go alone. It’s always good to have an ally to intercede on your behalf!
  1. What are other examples of intercession in your daily life?
  2. Does having an ally to intercede always “work”? Why? Or why not?

“Put in a good word for me.” Requests such as these remind us of the power of intercession. To have someone in your corner – someone who has your best interests in mind, someone who is willing to risk on your behalf – can make all the difference in the world.

The author of Hebrews recognized the power of Jesus as intercessor for us: “…he (Jesus) is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25 NRSV) Unlike our human intercessors, whose effectiveness and power to intercede is limited, Jesus as our risen Lord always lives to intercede on our behalf. His intercession is not bound by time and place. It always brings salvation to those who approach God through him.
  1. What difference does it make to know that Jesus is interceding to God for you?


faith practice in daily life
Serve all people, following the example of Jesus

There is a time in almost every worship service for intercessory prayer. Names of those in the community who have special needs – those who are ill or homebound, those grieving, those dealing with difficult life circumstances – are read as a part of the prayer. Sometimes silence is observed and names of those in need are spoken spontaneously during the prayer. The gathered community prays for creation and for the needs of the whole world.
  1. How are prayers of intercession offered in your worship service? Who reads them?
  2. What does it mean to you when you are in need to know that your congregation is praying for you?

Some have said that the time of intercessory prayer is when the faithful “roll up their sleeves while they are on their knees.” We are giving “marching orders” for our ministry together. Living among God’s faithful people, we are reminded in prayer of our call to serve – a call begun in baptism.
  1. How does intercessory prayer give us “marching orders”?
  2. How do we live out our baptismal calling to serve?


Prayer
Gracious God, what a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief to bear. We give thanks for his intercession on our behalf. Empower us to intercede for others, following his example. Amen

last word
Pray this week
for those in need.
used with permission 
Daily Faith Practices
Written by John and Robin McCullough-Bade
Copyright © 2012 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
May be reproduced for local, non-sale use provided the above copyright notice is included.
www,ekca,org/dailyfaithpractices Oct. 23-29 (B) Faith Practices Page 2 of 2

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