In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
Hebrews 5:5
From our earliest memories, we all have assignments. For as long as I can remember, my mom assigned me to clean the floors. Sometimes it was with a dustmop. Sometimes it was with one of those manual push carpet cleaners. Sometimes it was with the Electrolux vacuum cleaner.
I have no idea why I got that job. Maybe she really hated doing it. Maybe it was because it was something I could do without making a mess or breaking something. Who knows, maybe one day I just picked up the mop handle and started imitating her. In any event, I started doing the floors.
Before I came along, I just assumed that mom dusted the floors. Who else was there to do it? Dad thought dusting and doing the dishes was just “women’s work” and wouldn’t touch it. My brother, who was much older, was off at school. That left just mom and me. So, I was next in line and got the glorious, high paying job of cleaning the floors.
Even to this day, when it comes to doing work around the house, I choose to clean the floors. Yes, you heard me correctly, I chose to clean the floors. Once a week I carefully sweep all the floors, pushing the dirt and massive amounts of dog hair into the corners where I pick it up. Then I clean the floors with a damp mop or one of those Swiffer things.
When Jesus came to Earth from heaven, he also had assignments. He was given the role of great high priest and that of being a son. But not just any son, Jesus was THE son. The one and only son of God.
And like all other assignments, he didn’t choose these roles. He didn’t go up to God the Father and demand to be the great high priest and the one and only son. As God he had the right and power to demand anything and everything. But not this God. Jesus was humble. He “did not take on himself the glory.”
The writer is reminding the Hebrews that Jesus didn’t think that he deserved to be the great high priest and son. There was no personal ambition with Jesus. There wasn’t a proud bone in his body. He never used his being eternal God for his personal advantage[1].
But that’s the way it is with on Earth with people. You don’t claims to be a son. No one walks up and says, “OK, I’m your son. Now, you have to treat me like your son. You have to love me. And when you die, I get everything.
The same was true with being the high priest with the Hebrews. It was never earned. You didn’t go to school and then take a test to be chosen as the high priest. You didn’t put together a great resume and interview for the position. No. You were assigned to it. You were born as the eldest son as a direct relative of Aaron.
Because the Hebrews were going through terrible persecution, they needed to be reminded that Jesus was and is God’s Son. He is the word of God[2]. He’s the one and only Son of God[3]. He was to be called holy, Son of God[4]. And then, to get rid of all doubt, Jesus publicly says that he and the Father are one[5].
It’s no accident that these things were said about Jesus by the people that personally knew him. People who lived with him. Walked with him. Sat down and ate with him. Saw him arrested. Witness his crucifixion. Personally meet the risen Jesus.
Most leaders today are working hard to be seen. They do anything and everything to get more and more followers on social media. They hire public relation professionals to be interviewed on national television. To be keynote speakers at large conventions.
But not Jesus. His family was poor. He wasn’t born in a castle. He didn’t come from some rich and powerful family. He didn’t attend and graduate from the best schools. He wasn’t rich or famous. He didn’t sell anything or have a podcast that was followed by millions.
Instead, he was born in a stable. He moved around a lot as a child. He was pretty much homeless most of his life. He washed the feet of the people he knew who would abandon him in a few hours. He was betrayed and arrested. Crowned with thorns, he was crucified and executed as a common criminal.
And then came the resurrection! This changed everything. Will we let the resurrection of Jesus change us? Change our lives? The resurrection is more than just a story, it’s the truth that can change people just like you and me. God wants to assign us as his sons and daughters. But we have to be willing to accept it. Be willing. Please.
Noodling Questions
How do you respond when you’re assigned something?
Are assignments good things or bad things? Explain.
How is the resurrection of Jesus “assigned” to us? What are the benefits?
[1] Philippians 2:6
[2] John 1:1
[3] John 1:14
[4] Luke 1:35
[5] John 10:30
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