Jesus the guarantor

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. (Hebrews 7:11-22 ESV)

The law will not get you into heaven.

Interesting though when I say Law, what do you think?

On Facebook today Nadia Bolz-Weber pastor of House for All Sinner and Saints posted this:

OK Lutheran-y peeps. As Sunday is Reformation Sunday, I’m thinking of how I might explain what we call “the Law” to my overwhelmingly NOT-Lutheran congregation. The term “the Law” is insider language. How do you help people know what it means? This is especially important. Ready? Go!

You can click on the text to hopefully go to her page on Facebook and find the discussion if you want it is good stuff. But the Law is an insider term. We use it to refer to the 10 Commandments, or the whole of the Levitcal Law or the Hebrew Scriptures, meaning the Pentateuch (another insider term…). You see even we can not agree or know what the Law is. It means many things.

Now if you were not raised in the church the Law might be the civil order code that we have to follow, like motor laws for the road. It could mean those who make sure the rest of us follow the rules, i.e. the cops.

But even in these cases, those things, the rules, those who help us keep them, can not save us. They can not make sure we do what we are suppose to as if following some set of rules could get us to heaven.

Jesus is the guarantor of a covenant that is not bound by our keeping the rules or acting a certain way. We are created by God to be who we are and uniquely a part of the whole of creation. SO allow the grace that Jesus will give you to be all that you need. Do not try to tell others that they have to follow rules in order to be right with God, but help them to know they are loved by God just as they are.

And Always remember that Grace is not just a girl you met in Kindergarten. It is the most wonderful gift you have ever been given!