This morning I felt led to read from the Letter to the Hebrews. It is always interesting wading through this book which lays out the case for Christ describing the depth of the prophetic preview of picture of Christ that the Lord spoke to them through the prophets and the Law. Whoever the author was they were clearly intimately familiar with the scriptures and all of the Law, and logical thinking.
This morning I was reading from Hebrews 7, which establishes Christ's priesthood as better than the Levitical priesthood. The logic that is being argued is so subtle, and rich, and sometimes too much so. What I was understanding this morning was the depth and interwoven nature of this imagery as a type and shadow of Christ. Paul speaks of this in Col 2:17, and 1 Cor 13:12, where he talks about our inability to fully see and understand, a sort of shadow of things to come, or seeing dimly now. The author of this letter clearly saw things and pulled things together with a clarity that must have been helpful to the Hebrew people. Moving from the Law to Gospel of Grace was a difficult task, but the author was helping identify the foundation stones that had been laid for this throughout their history, and I find it amazing. Here is a quick snippet of an example:
Hebrews 7:11-17 NIV:
[11] "If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood---and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood---why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? [12] For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. [13] He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. [14] For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. [15] And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, [16] one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. [17] For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
These verses represent some of the final verses from three chapters of looking at the priesthood of Jesus. The author started the Letter looking at Jesus as the Son and representation of the Father, moved to Jesus being greater than Angel, Jesus as fully Man, Jesus greater than Moses, then Jesus as High Priest, and finally looking at Jesus' sacrifice, as High Priest. The author argued all of these through the use of scripture, again pointing to the pre-established pattern that was followed and fulfilled by Jesus. At times I have written about a finely woven tapestry as a good picture of how God's plan all come together perfectly, and that word picture comes to mind again this morning.
As I was thinking through this, following the logic of the author, watching how each and every verse highlighted pointed towards Jesus, I had this idea that it was sort of like a long-lost subway map, where all tunnels ended at one point, Jesus. I guess I could say its a version of "all roads lead to Rome", but an underground version and all paths leading to Christ Jesus.
The reason I saw it as tunnels was that from the surface, it could totally be missed, and largely not understood or even suspected. The author was uncovering each instance (theme) and bringing it to light, and identifying the stops God had inserted along the history of the people. Some of the "tunnels" went all the way back to the time before the Covenant of the Law, showing the master plan of God. Hopefully that is a helpful image.
Why am I looking at all this deep logic, these types and shadows? As I was reading these verses, I was just realizing that God's plans, His rich tapestry of purpose didn't end with Jesus. We are in a time of further revelation of God's move on the earth, things hinted at in the New Testament, but clearly not revealed in perfectly understandable imagery. God is continuing to create, continuing to move, continuing to reveal, for there is no end to the increase of His Kingdom and its expansion (Is 9:7 & Dan 2:44) and it goes on forever. We are now in the time of Jesus' continued ministry on the earth, through His church, and one could say all that is being revealed and brought to light now is the further revelation of the majesty of Jesus! In fact, this theme comes up later in this letter to the Hebrews 13:8 NIV: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Let us not think that the revelation of things long hidden or spoken is finished, for we are continuing to live out the revelation of God's plans, present in our lives. We are His representatives now, bringing to light His word, and His intentions in these days! We are partnering with Holy Spirit to bring further Glory to Jesus, who represents the Father. We are co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17), and God's Kingdom is alive and present on the earth!
My prayer today is that my eyes and understanding would be opened. Paul prayed the following in his letter to the Colossians 1:9-12 NIV:
[9] "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, [10] so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, [12] and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light."
Paul again prayed something similar in his letter to the Ephesians 1:17-19a NIV:
[17] "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. [18] I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, [19] and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
Yes Lord, release Your wisdom and understanding, increase our knowledge of You and Your ways! Help us to understand the deeper things, that we might be lifted up in our minds to grasp the greatness of You!
Amen and Amen!
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