letter from exile 12
God’s Word: Hebrews 7:25-27
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 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.
Reflection:
I saw this hilarious meme highlighting the difference between our culture’s perspective of the levitical laws before and after the corona crisis. It went like this:
You, 6-weeks ago: “Those levitical laws on impurity and contagions are so barbaric! Have a heart!”
You, today: “If a person tests positive for Corona, he shall remain unclean all the days of his infection! He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling is outside the camp!”
This is funny for so many reasons, but mostly because our snobbery towards ancient cultures is relative to our current circumstances.
In ancient Israel, the Levitical system was firmly in place. There were priests and sacrifices. The priests functioned to a certain degree as public healthcare workers. But as you know, it was more than that. Priests cared about physical AND spiritual wellbeing. That was the point of the whole sacrificial system.
Every day, some innocent animal was slaughtered. Every single day. Being a priest was a bloody profession, but why all the killing? The system was intended to keep the people fully dialed into that fact that rebellion against God was not insignificant. Sin is like spiritual pollution. The whole world is filling up with spiritual graffiti and blood was the cleaning agent. Our sin is what keeps us cosmically alienated from God.
But here’s the deal: The healthcare workers (i.e. the priests) were also infected. And as you know this could be a crisis, right? Even today, public health officials are worried that supplies (like masks and gloves) for our front-line doctors and nurses could run out. And what happens when our “helpers” need to be helped? It could be a crisis?
It felt like for all the blood that was shed, it was never enough. Enough was never enough. The priests and the people needed a cleaning agent that could go deeper, because the stain of sin was so resistant.
Well, in Israel, they had a solution. The priests had to make a sacrifice for the people, and they also had to make one for themselves. And so they did. Thousands upon thousands of slain animals. But even with this practice, there was always something nagging in their souls. It felt like for all the blood that was shed, it was never enough. Enough was never enough. The priests and the people needed a cleaning agent that could go deeper, because the stain of sin was so resistant.
This is the backdrop upon which Jesus comes to us. We sing about it all the time! What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! But wait. Is Jesus the sacrifice or the priest? He is both. Jesus, our Great High Priest, the one who stands between God and us, became the sacrifice.
Even in your loneliest and most isolated moment, He is with you. There are no more sacrifices to be made. As Jesus presides at the right hand of the Father, you equally are perpetually nestled into God’s heart.
See, Jesus was taken outside the camp and sacrificed. His blood cleans deeper than a sacrificial lamb. He is the slain lamb, par excellence. And guess what this means for us. Because Jesus was taken out, we are invited in. We are no longer cosmically alienated from God. In fact, nothing can separate you from the love of God. Nothing. NOT EVEN A QUARANTINE! Even in your loneliest and most isolated moment, He is with you. There are no more sacrifices to be made. As Jesus presides at the right hand of the Father, you equally are perpetually nestled into God’s heart.
May this sure and deep communion with God give you endurance in this season of curfew, quarantine, and isolation.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, forgive me for taking for granted the sweet access I have with you because of Jesus. Your nearness is my great consolation. You see me, even when no one else does. Teach me to rest in your presence. Teach me to practice living before you. Lord, thank you for the access I have to your heart. May my eyes stay focused on my Great High Priest, who made all this possible. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Prayers of gratitude for answered prayers:
Thank you Lord, for we prayed to you and you answered!
For the mended and encouraged hearts of friends who canceled their wedding.
For a healthy delivery (and continued health) of babies born.
For friends who were released from the hospital having beat COVID-19.
For friends and family who have healed and been released from the hospital without COVID-19 complications.