Hebrews 10:11-18, November 13-19, Year B:

As we consider the priesthood of Christ, we must keep in mind that idea that Christ was "begotten, not made," as the creeds say.  This is a very important distinction because if Christ had just been another creature, He could have never provided satisfactory atonement for our sins.

 

The changes brought about in the priesthood were not just the result of the failings of the Jewish nation.  This new priesthood was ordained by God from the beginning.  Human nature had revolted against God. God delighted to take that nature upon Himself freely and voluntarily--Son in obedience to the Father--and become a curse for us all.  The Father and Son acted together mutually by desire, wisdom, and action.  God was not required to show us mercy.  He did not have to give His Son if He chose another way.  He did this to magnify His grace.  We must always remember that God is sovereign and is not bound to any one method of action.

 

In the last part of this passage, the priesthood is confirmed and the action of setting apart is described.  The life, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ represent the final offering for sin, the fulfillment of the covenant, the imparting of God's grace and law into the hart of man; and it is all confirmed by the witness of the Holy Spirit.  Truly, in terms of the work of redemption, "it is finished."

   

World War II, Distractions, and This and That:

My printer went down Tuesday, and we had problems with our furnace yesterday.  We won't be left without heat; so in a way, both of these were rather minor distractions.  (We don't even own the house; so we won't be saddled with the costs of getting our heating system back up to full efficiency, anyway; and although the printer comes in handy, we can certainly do without it until we decide on the next step.)These things pointed out, however, how easily distracted I sometimes am when things aren't working perfectly.  I hate to have things not working right.  I'm not really a slave to a schedule or a routine--but I hate to have it thrown off kilter by inanimate objects!

 

I went on a pastoral visit Monday which took me to our area's assisted-living facility.  While there, I found myself sitting at a table, drinking coffee with some great Americans--guys who had fought for this country in World War II!  It made me realize how much my generation and younger generations tend to take for granted.  How easy it is to criticize our country now when so little is on the line!  How easy it is to lose the history, the memories, and the attitude that made our country great and so effective during those dark days of World War II!

 

Today, I got my Talking Bible-Courier in the mail, in the English Standard Version.  It's an amazing, computerized talking Bible that allows me so much independence and facility in doing Bible research! 

 

Also this week:  Our executive presbyter gave a marvelous challenge to our Session Tuesday night about establishing a mission for a church.  And one of the women in our church is putting together a project on the subject of grief which she is using for a presbytery-sponsored class she's been taking.  It could evolve into a ministry outreach for her and for this church.

 

The World War II generation has been called "the greatest generation."  I think that's valid; but there's one thing they failed to do.  They did not pass along the same virtues and values that made them great.  I wish the parents and grandparents of today had done a better job passing along their beliefs, their patriotism, their religious conviction, and their work ethic to today's "Baby Boomers," young adults, and teen-agers.  That older generation wanted to make things easier for those who came later; yet in so doing, they may have sown the seeds that will undermine our nation's future greatness.  So much for this and that, a little bit of everything.   We'll be back to our usual style of entry next time, I'm sure.

 

Dreams

Last night, I dreamed that Billy Graham was converted to Judaism!  I wasn't thinking about  Billy Graham when I went to bed--or about Jews, for that matter. 

 

I don't know what dreams are.  I don't necessarily go along with the idea that all of our dreams are significant revelations of the sub-conscious which are showing us the way to solve some great problem or discover some hidden truth.  Neither, however, do I necessarily believe that they are all just scraps of thought with no significance at all.   I honestly don't know what to make of them.

 

I'm happily married; but sometimes, I dream about other women--usually other women who do not remind me of anyone I've known in real life!  What's that all about? 

 

I have some recurring dreams--the one where I finally realize there's one course I've not done anything about during a semester in high school, the one where I'm in a car all by myself and the car suddenly starts driving through town--a rather frightening idea for a blind man--and the one where I'm preaching in my pajamas!  I seldom have nightmares.

 

No, I don't know what to make of dreams; but in a way, I hope I keep having them.  If I'm dreaming, that at least means I'm sleeping.  And who knows?  I might actually learn something!