Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Twentyfirst Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services today are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'. If you are unable to be with us in person, you'll find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"
Today's Bible Reading
Hebrews 5:1-10Jesus the Great High Priest
Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honour, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
“You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Reflection
Perhaps a good place to start to unwrap this passage is to think about the question - what is a priest?
There are many ways we could answer this but here are some of the qualities and descriptions that you may recognise from the Bible.
Priest are called to worship God and lead us in our worship. They are appointed by God to be his representative on earth and to represent the people to God. For want of a better phrase, to act as the bridge between God and his people.
A priest will represent people with prayer and will lead others in a prayerful life. They will show us how to be reverent and God fearing. In the old testament the priest would make blood offerings of burnt animal sacrifices on the peoples’ behalf as an atonement for our numerous sins. A priest would be required to acknowledge his own sins and pray for his own forgiveness as well as those he represents.
You may be familiar with some of the priests of ancient time such as Moses, his elder brother Aaron and their descendants. They were also responsible for ensuring that the laws of the ten commandments were followed as well as more and more laws of their own making.
So you may be wondering who Melchizedek is and how was this order of priests any different from the Levite priests like Aaron?
Melchizedek first appears in Genesis 14, in the time of Abraham 400 years before Moses and 2000 years before Jesus. He is described not only as a priest but as the ‘Priest of the ‘Most High God’ – our God. He is also described as the king of Salem, (which many people believe came to be known as Jerusalem), and St. Paul described Melchizedek as king of righteousness and king of peace.
What is also important about Melchizedek is that when this mysterious priest and king offered a sacrifice before Abraham he did not use traditionally prescribed burnt offerings but celebrated with bread and wine – a fore sign of the Eucharist. Also a sign that he was a priest of a totally different order.
When we look at Jesus, we should have no doubt that He is not only priest of the Most High God, but that He is the Most High Priest of eternity appointed by God. Hebrews 5, describes how Jesus is the true servant willing to give everything for us. The High Priest who prayed so hard that his sweat was like drops of blood, [Luke 22:44].
He was the Priest who rather than sacrifice a burnt offering, chose to sacrifice his own body so that we can be at one with God. Unlike other priests, Jesus was free from sin, He did not have to atone for his own sins so his sacrifice on the cross was an atonement for all our sins then and now. He is the one who continues to pray and intercede for us every second of every day and acts as the ultimate bridge between God and ourselves.
Jesus is obedient and loving, he deals gently with all of us who have strayed from the path of righteousness, He shows us compassion and forgiveness.
We too as members of His church, whether ordained or not, are called to follow that model of kindness and service.
In the related Gospel reading for today [Mark 10: 32-45], Jesus has been telling his disciples that the Son of Man is about to humiliated and condemned to death. Without thinking, James and John ask Jesus what they could do for him in order to sit at his right and left hand in glory. Clearly their request is not thought through and they no doubt thought that, as part of the inner circle, they are entitled to step into the limelight. But Jesus gently reminds them that we should do things out of love of others, not for status.
Greatness comes not from wanting to be noticed or seen to be doing things, not from self-importance and making one’s mark, but from service and serving each other with humility. We all need to make sacrifices at times; as Jesus says, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.As Great High Priest, Jesus calls us to quietly and humbly do what we can, when we can. Paul
Our Prayers
Merciful Father,
As we strive to be more like you each day,
Help us to do so out of love,
and the recognition that it is our duty to care for each other.
May we not seek glory or personal gratification,
but to be satisfied that we are following in your footsteps.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Our final hymn today is "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine"
