20120708
Some of the old English churches have a notice board, usually at the entrance, giving a list of rectors or priests who have served the church over a period of time. Most of them are influential and prominent people who held office for a while and eventually they died. For the Jews, under the Old Covenant, they had to be content with the services of unpredictable and fallible priests. Though some may perform their priestly duties creditably, they were weak humans, imperfect and inevitably sinners themselves. They too eventually died.
But God in His mercy and grace gave us a New Covenant by sending us Jesus. He, by sharp contrast, continues as a priest forever. He is also one “who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens” (Heb.7:26). His holiness stems from an inward moral purity which implies that He is sinless and perfect. He is a fitting Great High Priest because He has endured all temptations to extreme and never succumbs to any of them. Furthermore, He understands our every need and is able to grant us direct access to the Father. The character traits of Jesus as the Perfect One which distinguishes Him from the Levitical Priesthood right down to the priests of today are clearly stated in Hebrews 7:26. One of the more important characteristics of Jesus that distinguishes Him from all mankind is His holiness. It is important for us believers to emulate this part of Jesus’ character – “let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Cor. 7:1).
In today’s world of rampant corruption and immorality, we face a constant tirade of temptations daily – sins of the flesh, greed and false teachings to name a few. Admittedly, it is hard to be like Jesus living without flaw. But the Bible exhort Christians to be holy – “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy'” (1 Pet. 1:15-16). Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith has shown us the way. We must not marginalise Him as we live the Christian life. We must constantly make the effort to be holy and righteous and to renew our trust in Him knowing He will never fail us.
