After hearing the Sunday sermon, many things are still not clear to me. I don’t mean to be offensive to the sermon preached. It is a difficult passage to follow but I just want to be connected to God’s Word. Maybe I am the only one feeling this way. I have no doubt put my faith in Jesus Christ, in response to the sermon final question: where are you putting your faith? But I believe the passage want me to do more than just putting faith in Jesus Christ. This passage is to Christians, not to non-believers. Priest is for believers, evangelist or missionary is to unbelievers (like the last illustration of a missionary reaching out to a Hindu lady). I need to reflect over this passage again.
Talks about priest don’t really mean anything to me. I don’t meet any priest whether I am in church or anywhere, unlike a catholic. What then does a Great high priest mean to me? For a Jew, the two most significant people are Abraham and a priest. That I can understand. Abraham is important because he is the father of the nation of Israel. Priest is important because he helps the Jews to atone for their sin. Jewish life is all about offering, holy days, sacrifice, clean and unclean food, do this, can’t do that kind of thingy and so need a priest. But I am not a Jew. Christian has very little restriction actually. How then does this passage relate to me, a 21st century Christian living in an urban city like Singapore? 2 points I learn today:
1. Chosen to be a Priest (Heb 7:1-28)
In the Catholic and Anglican faith, there are priests in robes and attires. It is good to sometime join a high Anglican worship service like St. Andrew Cathedral. Anybody interested? Holy Communion is on third Sunday worship service at 5pm. You will find it very different from BPCES Holy Communion. You can feel it’s significant. Anyway, a priest is important. Do you know that we Christians actually also have priests? Guess who? Pastor? Not really, Elder? No, lah. OK, a clue: 1Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
All of us are made to be priests, but without any special attire or robe of a priest!! Christ is our Perfect Great High Priest; we are the imperfect little low priests. but still a priest. Don’t like that leh, A bit scary to be a priest. What to do, ah?
2. Duties of a Priest (Heb 8:1-6)
A priest is someone who mediates for others with God. Like it or not, all Christians are priests. 2 things we need to do as priest.
Duty #1 – Pray for one another
Jesus Christ set the example for me to follow. In Heb 7:25, it says that Christ is making intercession for us. Samuel the priest also said it in 1Sam 12:23 (good to memorise this verse)
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
Jas 5:16 tell us to pray for one another.
Know of anyone who is in need? How about those in your BSG, church, school, …? Pray for them. Pray for those studying oversea, that they are still mindful of their faith in Christ. Pray for those drifting away from Christ, that they may have the desire to come back to Him. Do add to the list. God is never tired to hear you pray. In fact, He invites us to pray. (Jer 33:3)
Duty #2 – Encourage one another
In the Book of Hebrew, the writer after describing about priest and sacrifice (chapter7-10), then tell them in Heb 10:24, 25:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
So, let us encourage one another. Encourage those struggling to come to church. Encourage those who are discouraged with life, financial problem, BGR, etc. Your fellowship and encouragement is important! Everyone is part of the body of Christ – the church.
That is what “priest” means to me. What about you?
Talks about priest don’t really mean anything to me. I don’t meet any priest whether I am in church or anywhere, unlike a catholic. What then does a Great high priest mean to me? For a Jew, the two most significant people are Abraham and a priest. That I can understand. Abraham is important because he is the father of the nation of Israel. Priest is important because he helps the Jews to atone for their sin. Jewish life is all about offering, holy days, sacrifice, clean and unclean food, do this, can’t do that kind of thingy and so need a priest. But I am not a Jew. Christian has very little restriction actually. How then does this passage relate to me, a 21st century Christian living in an urban city like Singapore? 2 points I learn today:
1. Chosen to be a Priest (Heb 7:1-28)
In the Catholic and Anglican faith, there are priests in robes and attires. It is good to sometime join a high Anglican worship service like St. Andrew Cathedral. Anybody interested? Holy Communion is on third Sunday worship service at 5pm. You will find it very different from BPCES Holy Communion. You can feel it’s significant. Anyway, a priest is important. Do you know that we Christians actually also have priests? Guess who? Pastor? Not really, Elder? No, lah. OK, a clue: 1Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
All of us are made to be priests, but without any special attire or robe of a priest!! Christ is our Perfect Great High Priest; we are the imperfect little low priests. but still a priest. Don’t like that leh, A bit scary to be a priest. What to do, ah?
2. Duties of a Priest (Heb 8:1-6)
A priest is someone who mediates for others with God. Like it or not, all Christians are priests. 2 things we need to do as priest.
Duty #1 – Pray for one another
Jesus Christ set the example for me to follow. In Heb 7:25, it says that Christ is making intercession for us. Samuel the priest also said it in 1Sam 12:23 (good to memorise this verse)
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
Jas 5:16 tell us to pray for one another.
Know of anyone who is in need? How about those in your BSG, church, school, …? Pray for them. Pray for those studying oversea, that they are still mindful of their faith in Christ. Pray for those drifting away from Christ, that they may have the desire to come back to Him. Do add to the list. God is never tired to hear you pray. In fact, He invites us to pray. (Jer 33:3)
Duty #2 – Encourage one another
In the Book of Hebrew, the writer after describing about priest and sacrifice (chapter7-10), then tell them in Heb 10:24, 25:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
So, let us encourage one another. Encourage those struggling to come to church. Encourage those who are discouraged with life, financial problem, BGR, etc. Your fellowship and encouragement is important! Everyone is part of the body of Christ – the church.
That is what “priest” means to me. What about you?
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. (1Sam 12:23)
PS: Come to this Friday prayer meeting. I'll will be there!
Agape
Mark Lim
Mark Lim
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