Thursday, March 22, 2012

Hebrews 5...Jesus and who???

Hebrews is most likely not a letter, but a sermon...and a long one at that, but within this writing there is so much of value that it is a shame how often we by-pass this particular portion of Scripture. Well, not today...as I continue working through the Epistle readings from the lectionary, let's take a brief look at one aspect of Hebrews 5:1-10. Some lectionaries use only vvs 5-10, but I think it is important that vvs 1-10 be read as a unit since those early verses describe the role of the high priest that is later ascribed to Jesus. However, I am not going into that here. I want to take a look at the parallels/comparisons that the author of Hebrews makes between Jesus and Melchizedek.

Melchizedek is introduced to us in Genesis 14:17-20. He is referred to in other parts of Scripture, but this one is the key reference. The story goes like this...

Abram has just finished his rescue mission to regain the freedom of Lot from the warring kings that had invaded Sodom and Gomorrah. (Lot seemed to have a gift for being in the wrong place.) When Abram returns victorious, Melchizedek shows up univted. He brings Abram bread and wine, then blesses him and praises God.

That's it, but when you lay it alongside the story of Jesus...well he also shows up uninvited, brings bread and wine for us, and blesses us while praising God. Granted this lacks a bit of detail, but this undercurrent is there amongst all that is recorded about Jesus' life.

The author of Hebrews draws the same comparison.

But let's take all this a step further. As the people of God, the community of faith, the church, the body of Christ, aren't we suppose to follow in Christ's way. If so, then we are supposed to show up when people need us. We should show up, uninvited, but bringing bread and wine. Whether food for the body or food for the spirit in the Sacrament. Bringing the blessing of God. His peace. His compassion. His grace. Unasked...and unexpected. Not for our own sake, but for the sake of the one who sends us, the one who first sent His only Son. And so by our actions we show that we, too, are of the order of Melchizedek...and of Jesus...the ones who came bearing bread, wine and blessing.

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