Join us for church on Sunday, October 27 at 10 am.  Sunday School is offered during the service and coffee time follows the service.

Here are Rev. Marlene’s notes on the scripture reading this week.

Marlene’s Rev. Notes:

“For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.” Hebrews 7:28

This week’s reading focuses on the priesthood.  On one hand, there are Levitical priests who are like any other human being, in that they eventually die.  On the other hand, we are presented with Jesus’ permanent priesthood, as he lives forever.  Because of his divine nature, his actions are eternally effective in his defeat of sin and death through his perfect nature and the saving power of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Hebrews presents a description of Jesus’ priesthood, listing five characteristics in this passage.  He is holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.  These aspects present a contrast to the list of qualities attributed to Melchizedek in Hebrews 7:3. Not only is Jesus’ priesthood permanent, but it also exceeds the priesthood of Melchizedek.  The reference to “the word of the oath” that appoints Jesus is an allusion to Psalm 110:4 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind.  You are priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.”  It is clear that the Letter to the Hebrews views Jesus’ priesthood as a fulfilment of Psalm 110:4.

The passage goes on to describe God’s loving actions toward us.  Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice on our behalf.  As the perfect and permanent high priest, Jesus gave the perfect sacrifice, himself, so that there is no longer a need for any other offering.  This salvation becomes the fundamental motivation for rendering worship to God; a worship, which is happily, both an internal and an external expression of our love of God.