David Bahn – Reflections

At the end of a long discourse about the comparative excellence of Jesus over any other possible savior, priest, or intercessor, the writer of Hebrews says:

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. ²⁷ He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:26-2).

On the one hand the preceding arguments are lost on us, speaking of Melchizedek and the tribe of Judah, and things relating to the nation and history of Israel. After all this is the letter to the Hebrews, not to the Texans! On the other hand there is important application here for us today. The message is simple: Jesus is better. No one else stacks up to him. No one else can do what he has done or is doing today.

All this has nothing to do with political incorrectness. Those apart from Christ like to paint a false picture of the stakes we espouse. Without Christ we are without hope and salvation. Usually the message from those outside the faith hinges on a false understanding of sin and our need for a savior. Usually they claim our message is that a good person who simply doesn’t believe the way we do about God and Jesus is condemned just because he or she doesn’t check off the “I believe in Jesus” box in his list of beliefs.

Those who put it that way know nothing about our desperate need for grace, mercy, forgiveness, and redemption. The problem we all have is we – unlike Jesus! – are tainted, guilty, stained, separated from God, and removed from the glory of God (cf. v 26 above). Even the most holy of us – whatever might be the equivalent of the high priest in Jesus’ day – need sacrifices for our own sins. Our best are weak, and continually failing.

But Jesus is better. He is “holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” And he offered himself as the once-and-for-all sacrifice for sins. He is perfect forever. Whatever insights others may offer; whatever help some may give; whatever hope might be held out; whoever you may look to for rescue, Jesus is better.

I’m thinking about what that actually means to me today and in this moment. It means I guard myself against letting my political, social, moral, or spiritual heroes take the central spot of Christ in my heart and life. It means that I guard myself against replacing my identity as a son of God with a search for celebrity as a star of the church. It means that not only is Jesus better, he is my hope and life – now and forever.