Calvin Synod Herald, 2002 (103. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
2002-03-01 / 3-4. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3 GdsrcR CDesságe 2002 “...But He, on the other hand, because He abides forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him; since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens, who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once and for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.” (Hebrews 7:24- 28) The writer of the letter to the Hebrews in these concluding verses of chapter 7 testifies about Jesus the Christ as the great high priest who always lives, thereby affirming the resurrection of our Saviour, the Son of God. With clear logic he contrasts the office and function of the Hebrew priesthood with the high priestly office of Christ. The former needed to offer sacrifices both for themselves and for the covenant people of Israel, while Christ made the ultimate and final sacrifice for the atonement of human sin and degradation, all by Himself. Clearly, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of shame satisfies the justice God. And now, as the resurrected and glorified Christ, He continues His high priestly function of making intercession in our behalf before the throne of grace. Therefore we need no other intermediary to have direct access to God; no earthly priest, bishop, or pope is worthy to fulfill that task. At every Easter celebration we bring the attention of the world upon the center of our faith, our resurrected Savior, Jesus the Christ. Yet we know that the resurrection is tied directly to His suffering and death on the cross. We can’t have the one without the other. The sacrificial system taught the painful lesson that there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. Thus Jesus took our place on the cross where we belonged so that we may be forgiven, redeemed from sin, and granted eternal life. Therefore our hearts are filled with wonder, joy, and thanksgiving for His work of redemption and the continued work of sanctification by the Holy Spirit to transform our lives into His likeness and character. As He surrendered His life for our sake, let us surrender our will to His Lordship so that our joy may be complete and our lives made perfect. Have a blessed Easter! Louis Medgyesi Bishop-------------------------------------------------------------------------EASTER HYMN YES, the Redeemer rose, The Savior left the dead, And o’er our hellish foes High raised His conq’ring head: In wild dismay the guards around, Fall to the ground, and sink away. Lo, the angelic bands In full assembly meet, To wait His high commands, And worship at His feet: Joyful they come, and wing their way From realms of day, to Jesus’ tomb. Then back to heav’n they fly, The joyful news to bear; Hark! As they soar on high, What music fills the air! Their anthems say, ‘Jesus who bled, “Hath left the dead - He rose today.” Ye mortals! Catch the sound - Redeemed by Him from hell, And send the echo round The globe on which you dwell: Transported, cry - ‘Jesus who bled, “Hath left the dead, no more to die.” All hail, triumphant Lord, Who sav’st us with Thy blood! Wide be Thy name adored, Thou rising, reigning God! With Thee we rise, with Thee we reign, And empires gain beyond the skies. Reformed Hymnal - 1834 V_________________________J
