THE FIFTH GOSPEL Thoughts on the Letter to the Hebrews
C. Doug Blair, 2011
Entering Into His Rest
What a wonderful progression of victory is depicted in the first four chapters of the Letter to the Hebrews. Jesus is the express manifestation of the nature of God. He is God. He is David's Lord, after the order of Melchizedek, foreshadowed in Psalm 110. 1
He is better than the angels, although He came down to such a lowly service. He is better than Moses (oh ye Jewish candidates). He is better than the Temple. He is the Eternal Bridegroom described so magnificently in Psalm 45. He is the conqueror of all fear of death. In the eternal plan He was made to suffer as all mortals suffer, and thereby He acquired "the place of intercession" that He might be more than qualified, more than trustworthy as High Priest and Captain of our Salvation. But we have this terrible caution in front of our eyes, the sad wanderings of the Israelites under Moses which failed to result in the majority of them entering into the Promised Land. Why was this? Unbelief. What hadn't they believed? God's Word, God's promises...and oh, how stringent was that word! Hear the writer in chapter 4: 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. The joyful solution to the quandary is suggested in the last verse cited - our glorious and compassionate High Priest Jesus. Now let us remain steadfast, holding onto the assurances and example of Christ. We have rest (God's ordained sabbath from labour and good deeds of qualification). We have confidence and boldness and help. In everincreasing measure. For the simple asking. Heaven is at hand.
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Note: In an earlier post I mentioned that our "shouting ground" can be found in the Four Gospels and the Letter to the Hebrews. I continue to believe this.
New Covenant: Gotta Be
In my current look at Hebrews I see quite clearly in chapters five through ten the inadequacy of Moses' covenant. The Law established in Aaron's line a priesthood which could not approach holy ministrations with clear conscience. There had to be blood-lettings and washings first to make the priest suitable for ministry. The animal sacrifices had to be repeated over and over because of sin and because of the deaths of the priests, all caught in "the thrall of the Fall". But then there appeared a sinless priest, of un-designated origin after the image of Melchizedek (Genesis 14). He was able to operate under "the power of an endless life", a sinless life. He had only to offer up a sacrifice once for the sins of the people. Calvary. Let that word ring through your heart and your consciousness - "once"! Hebrews 9: 24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
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(Picture depicts High Priest's breastplate with one stone in remembrance of each tribe, "carried upon the heart".)
Hebrews: Final Trio
A few words now on chapter 11 (faith), chapter 12 (chastening) and chapter 13 (new sacrifices). Many are familiar with the faith chapter and its glorious listing of the victories of heroes in the Old Testament. Remember that the writer is addressing a Jewish bunch. He must be respectful to their inspiring tradition; at the same time driving home the point that trust in the finished work of Jesus is now paramount. Things have been very much "done" for us. The compulsion to "do" the many Jewish feasts and rules and regs of Exodus and Leviticus has been over-ridden. One must also note that the faith list includes almost an equal number of happy victories and noble martyrdoms. The lineage of heroes knew that there was something more - a city, a community under Messiah. The writer proclaims that it has now come and is fulfilling the hopes of his people. Admittedly, the taking of a stance for Jesus at that time drew fire from the unbelieving and from the traditionalists. This was part of the chastening, disciplining or training which the Heavenly Father was allowing for His children. It was necessary. It was loving. It was forming champions who would eventually realize the consequent "peaceable fruit of righteousnes". (Watch how outstanding athletes struggle and strain on the field to acquire their mastery!) How we must recognize the difference today between the Father's chastening and His displeasure. Ride through the storm saints. There are treasures. The final chapter is a compendium of wisdom, much like James' epistle. For me one thing stands out. There are new sacrifices. The old have been replaced. We are encouraged unto praise and thanksgiving, good deeds and generous fellowship. It is significant to note that the New Testament does not lay out for us detailed orders of worship, as did the Old. Rather we are to 4
be led by the Spirit. Chapter 13: 14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Melchizedek
The name means "my King is righteousness". See some of Charles Spurgeon's exposition on Psalm 110 (The Treasury of David) Verse 4. We have now reached the heart of the psalm, which is also the very centre and soul of our faith. Our Lord Jesus is a Priest King by the ancient oath of Jehovah: "he glorified not himself to be made an high priest," but was ordained there unto from of old, and was called of God an high priest after the order of Melchizedek. It must be a solemn and a sure matter which leads the Eternal to swear, and with him an oath fixes and settles the decree for ever; but in this case, as if to make assurance a thousand times sure, it is added," and will mot repent." It is done, and done for ever and ever; Jesus is sworn in to be the priest of his people, and he must abide so even to the end, because his commission is sealed by the unchanging oath of the immutable Jehovah. If his priesthood could be revoked, and his authority removed, it would be the end of all hope and life for the people whom he loves; but this sure rock is the basis of our security -- the oath of God establishes our glorious Lord both in his priesthood and in his throne. It is the Lord who has constituted him a priest for ever, he has done it by oath, that oath is without repentance, is taking effect now, and will stand throughout all ages: hence our security in him is placed beyond all question. 5
The declaration runs in the present tense as being the only time with the Lord, and comprehending all other times. "Thou art," i.e., thou wast and art and art to come, in all ages a priestly King. The order of Melchizedek's priesthood was the most ancient and primitive, the most free from ritual and ceremony, the most natural and simple, and at the same time the most honourable. That ancient patriarch was the father of his people, and at the same time ruled and taught them; he swayed both the sceptre and the censer, reigned in righteousness, and offered sacrifice before the Lord. There has never arisen another like to him since his days, for whenever the kings of Judah attempted to seize the sacerdotal office they were driven back to their confusion: God would have no king priest save his son. Melchizedek's office was exceptional none preceded or succeeded him; he comes upon the page of history mysteriously; no pedigree is given, no date of birth, or mention of death; he blesses Abraham, receives tithe and vanishes from the scene amid honours which show that he was greater than the founder of the chosen nation. He is seen but once, and that once suffices. Aaron and his seed came and went; their imperfect sacrifice continued for many generations, because it had no finality in it, and could never make the comers thereunto perfect. Our Lord Jesus, like Melchizedek, stands forth before us as a priest of divine ordaining; not made a priest by fleshly birth, as the sons of Aaron: he mentions neither father, mother, nor descent, as his right to the sacred office; he stands upon his personal merits, by himself alone; as no man came before him in his work, so none can follow after; his order begins and ends in his own person, and in himself it is eternal, "having neither beginning of days nor end of years The King Priest has been here and left his blessing upon the believing, and now he sits in glory in his complete character, atoning for us by the merit of his blood, and exercising all power on our behalf." "O may we ever hear thy voice In mercy to us speak, And in our Priest we will rejoice, Thou great Melchizedek."
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All Glorious Within
I have been thinking about one particular verse in Psalm 45 (the wedding psalm). See what Charles Spurgeon has to say about it in The Treasury of David. Verse 13. The king's daughter is all glorious within. Within her secret chambers her glory is great. Though unseen of men her Lord sees her, and commends her. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be." Or the passage may be understood as meaning within herself-- her beauty is not outward only or mainly; the choicest of her charms are to be found in her heart, her secret character, her inward desires. Truth and wisdom in the hidden parts are what the Lord regards; mere skin deep beauty is nothing in his eyes. The church is of royal extraction, of imperial dignity, for she is a king's daughter; and she has been purified and renewed in nature; for she is glorious within. Note the word all. The Bridegroom was said to have all his garments perfumed, and now the bride is all glorious within--entireness and completeness are great points. There is no mixture of ill savour in Jesus, nor shall there be alloy of unholiness in his people, his church shall be presented without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. Her clothing is of wrought gold. Best material and best workmanship. How laboriously did our Lord work out the precious material of his righteousness into a vesture for his people! No embroidery of golden threads can equal that masterpiece of holy art. Such clothing becomes so honoured by relationship to the Great King. The Lord looks to it that nothing shall be wanting to the glory and beauty of his bride.
Focus of Faith
There’s a resource in the New Birth Which we must take time to feed. It starts slowly, and so humbly, As a small and precious seed. It is faith apart from logic, 7
Over-reaching senses five. Will we dare to act upon it, Let it grow and bless and thrive? We were shown the fine example In true Abraham of old, Who urged Sarah, barren Sarah, To believe what they were told; That by faith their wizened bodies Would beget a healthy son, And would “father many nations”, And thus Israel was begun. Later Moses, shepherd Moses, Who had fled from Pharaoh’s court; ‘Til Jehovah named him spokesman To bring out the Hebrew horde; And to lead them through the desert, Finding food and drink in sand; Clashing with large heathen armies, ‘Til they reached the Promised Land. And Elijah, desert prophet, By whom God would stop the showers; For the crippling of a nation, And for humbling wicked powers. With a stern rebuke from heaven: ‘Your idolatry is wrong!’ And the man of God defeated Priests of Baal, some hundreds strong. All of these had the assurance That the Word of God was true; That the things which He had promised He most certainly would do. And they treasured and they trusted In whatever He had said, From the saving of the nations To the raising of the dead.
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Now, for us, faith is in Jesus, Not a law or force or creed, But a living, loving Saviour Come to earth to bless and bleed; As the ‘logos’ of the Father, Living Word of God’s great plan (JOHN 1: 1-14) To redeem, and reproduce The loving heart of God in man. And before he assumed glory Once again at God’s right hand, Christ assured disciples power To preach faith throughout the land. In His name to cast out devils, And to speak in other tongues; Laying hands on sick for healing, Winning souls, both old and young. Fellow Christians, we have access To His wonderful resource, And can touch the world for Jesus Before history runs its course. Will we dare to exercise it, And not leave it soft and dull? Or will faith again be hung up On ‘the place known as the skull’? HEBREWS 12: 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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The Full Israel of God
We have not seen it yet. People in line with the unfailing faith of Abraham gathered with joy in Jerusalem, unharassed, restored in every sense, enjoying the benevolent administration of their eternal King. The Apostle Paul, a meticulous Jew, spoke in his letter to Galatians of the ultimate fulfilment of God's promise to Father Abraham in "a seed" whom he took to be the Lord Jesus Christ. He confirmed that Christians in the Body of Christ are in that seed. He also rejoiced that his beloved people were coming to the realization that Jesus of Nazareth was and ever shall be Messiah. Hence he saw the Israel of God consisting of people who had come to God through Christ, both Jew and Gentile, one day living in harmonious community. What a wonderful coup on God's part. Take a crusader for the laws and ways of Moses, a persecutor of the new and bothersome sect of Jesus, breathing out threatenings and slaughter in a round-up of these presumed rebels. Knock him off his horse on his grim assignment to Damascus. Blind him through an encounter with the risen and glorified Christ. Allow him to undergo an overwhelming change of allegiance and of purpose in a new spiritual birth, and PRESTO, behold an exemplary champion and apologist for the cause of the Gospel. Now, about that harmonious community. Consider the words of the prophet Zephaniah in the third chapter: 14Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will 10
rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 18I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. 19Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. 20At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. This image of a wonderful King overseeing a perfected and eternally peaceful and happy kingdom, Zion, came to me most powerfully in our recent visit to the exhibit on the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto). I saw in a fresher way the Jewishess of Jesus. Imagine God SINGING over His beloved reconciled peoples! Hear further the wrap-up of Paul on this happy coming together recorded in Galatians 6: 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
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