Pentecost 20 Heb

Lutheranism in the US can basically be divided into two groups. The one group sees itself as more Roman and the Church as just biding its time until we are all able to return to Catholicism. This “Home to Rome” group believe that Luther only wanted to reform the Roman Catholic Church. They continue to preserve Catholic practices and relate better to Catholics and Episcopalians.

The other group believes that Luther wanted to break from Rome and start a new Christian body very different from what had been. These Lutherans tend to be “low church”, are less liturgical and more fundamentalist. They relate better to other Protestant groups and to non-denominational Christians.

Those Lutherans who have adopted a more Protestant view of their faith and the Church have lost some rich resources, I believe. Particularly, they have lost the concept of priesthood – one that stretches back, not just to the one holy Roman Catholic church, but all the way back to Old Testament times.

When God decided that the people of Israel were ready to enter the “Promised Land”, He divided the people and gave them land according to which of Joseph’s brothers they were descended from. The only tribe not given land were the Levites. The Levites were set apart as a priestly group. While they were not given land, they were looked up to and according to law, received ample support from the members of the other tribes of Israel.

Part of the reason the Levites were not given land or expected to engage in secular work was so that they could be kept pure for their services in the tabernacle and later, the temple. Their job was to represent the people in prayer and sacrifice. Thus, it was important that they remain unstained and holy.

As time went on, the temple system developed and became more complex. There were different rules related to different parts of the temple and for different members of the priesthood. As we know from the pre-birth stories of John and Jesus, once a year a priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies in the temple to perform special duties. Only the person chosen to be high priest that year was allowed in the area and only for this one day.

Rabbinic lore even states that the high priest would tie a long cord to his ankle in case he died suddenly while serving at the main altar. Thus, in case of emergency, with this cord trailing out from the Holy of Holies other priests could drag him out without entering the holy space themselves.

I doubt that we can fully appreciate what Jesus did for us and what being a Christian means if we don’t grasp the importance of this. As important as having our sins forgiven and being able to look forward to eternal life in heaven may be, this is not what makes Christianity unique.

Jews could have their sins forgiven by taking a lamb or doves to the priest for sacrifice. Furthermore, there is no indication that early Jews felt a need for an eternal life in heaven. Their concept of getting to live eternally was to know that the man’s name would continue through the birth of sons.

What Jesus did was something no just plain human could do. He gained entrance to the Holy of Holies for us. Because Jesus, acting as our Great High Priest and also sacrificial lamb, gave Himself for us, all who believe in Him have the privilege formerly accorded only to the high priest.

We can confidently be in God’s presence and have an even more intimate relationship with Him than was possible for any high priest. And, best of all, our admittance has nothing to do with our being super holy or with performing any special rituals or being born into the right family.

Also, this isn’t a privilege we are given only once in a lifetime or even once a year. We can enjoy the holiness of God’s presence at any moment of the day, every day of our lives. We need only open ourselves to God in prayer.

And all of this comes to us freely because Christ declared us all priests and children of the heavenly Father.

There’s an old story of an oriental kingdom where the ruler was held in such high regard that anyone entering his presence must follow certain strict ritual actions, including backing into the room and prostrating oneself on the floor at the foot of the throne.

But one youngster just barged right in, in the middle of a high state occasion. When a newly appointed servant tried to stop the child, the child merely said, “That may be your king, but he’s my father.” Such can be the attitude of those for whom Jesus is high priest and Son of God.

But, with such privilege also comes responsibility. We were made children of God and priests, and given access to the Holy of Holies for a purpose. Priests didn’t just do their thing in the temple once a year or even once a week. Their whole lives were dedicated to God’s service.

Now, I know that your first reaction to what I’m about to say is probably something like, “I know where you’re going with this pastor and I’m a working person with a family to look after. I don’t have time to dedicate my life to God’s service. That’s your calling.”

Well, since it’s my sermon, I have a response to the objection. In fact, I have two responses.

First, let’s get clear that priesthood or in more New Testament type terms, discipleship is not the privilege or responsibility of seminary trained, ordained clergy only. Every Christian is so called to the priesthood in baptism.

In another week we will celebrate Reformation Sunday and actions of Martin Luther back in the 15^th Century. While we usually focus on the theological freedom he claimed for us in his discovery that according to Scripture we are saved by grace alone, and not any works that we do, it is also important to remember that he claimed freedom for the Church from an exclusive priesthood.

One of Luther’s greatest concepts was the little appreciated, “Priesthood of All Believers”. According to this concept, we do not need a specially consecrated person as a go between with God, but can speak directly to Him. Nor is there a hierarchy of position or holiness in the church, but rather all put their gifts to use in God’s service.

Yes, we still have clergy and the church gives them certain authority, but that is just for the purpose of good order. The church chooses to call a pastor (and sometimes other trained people) because not everyone can take the time out of their lives to be trained in Scripture and theology, and not everyone can make themselves available day and night to do ministry.

But, that in no way reduces the importance of the services performed by other members, using their gifts given them by God. All are called to the Priesthood of All Believers and expected by God to do their part in carrying out the mission of Christ.

And this brings me to my second response to those who believe that the ministry is the pastor’s calling and church stuff just gets fitted in among all the other activities of a lay person’s life…if they have time.

Being a disciple, a member of the Priesthood of All Believers, an active part of the body of Christ was never intended by God to be an avocation. Serving God is not something any of us do when or as we have time and interest.

Discipleship and the priesthood are what our lives are meant to be about. We were created and redeemed for the purpose of serving God. And everything we have whether a talent, a material resource or the very minutes of our days are gifts from God, intended for use in His service. The holy challenge is recognizing what gifts we have and how God wants us to use them.

Much as I’d like to have a choir so big we’d fill the chancel, much as I’d like to see Stephanie having to draw straws to see who would get the privilege of teaching a Sunday school class, much as I’d like to see this church rocking every day with programs and activities, I know that your ministry is not limited to this church. It is a part, an important part, but only a part.

Rather all of our lives is our ministry field. Wherever you go there will be an altar. Everyone you come in contact with is a person in need of the healing touch of a disciple. Being a part of the Body of Christ, a member of the priesthood, a disciple means looking at all of one’s life as an opportunity to bring the love of Christ and the Good News to the world. We act as priests by doing everything in the name of Christ and with a prayer of blessing in our hearts for all we touch.

So, whether you serve on the board of Bethesda, assemble engines at GE, teach or be taught in a school class, assist a doctor in his office or the hospital, drive a school bus, visit with retired friends, or care for family at home, do it with an awareness that this is a part of your priesthood and do it in the name of Christ.