Hebrews 5:1-10 (NRSV)
Read Hebrews 5:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 5Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. Verse 2He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; Verse 3and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. Verse 4And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. Verse 5So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"; Verse 6as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." Verse 7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Verse 8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; Verse 9and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,
Verse 10having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Devotion
We are not making for very good high priests. Instead of considering ourselves among the mortals, we continuously seek opportunities to lift ourselves to positions above others. Instead of taking charge of things pertaining to God, we prefer to take charge of our own agendas and interests. Instead of offering gifts and sacrifices, we understand too well there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Therefore, is it any surprise that the ignorant find it tough in a culture of competition, or that the wayward is often marginalized within a “normalized” society? To be gentle with the ignorant and wayward in the light of our own weaknesses is never smart politics… maybe now and then when it really is non-threatening to our efforts of securing ourselves.
So we don’t need another hero who will only be in solidarity with our strengths. We all are in need of a High Priest crying out for salvation while suffering at the hands of others. We need Someone to be our source of salvation through obedience at a cross.
Prayer
You are the Giver of all good things. We are takers, who take from you. We are taking more than we need. We are taking from our sisters and brothers. We are taking from the marginalized and the weak. Give us the ability to be gentle with others. Amen.
(Inspired by a Walter Brueggemann class prayer on March 9, 1999.)