In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. (Heb. 5:5)
The world’s poorest president. This was the title given to the former president of Uruguay, Jose “Pepe” Mujica. Pepe spent most of his life laboring in the fields of rural Uruguay before being elected as president in 2009. Upon election he committed to giving away ninety percent of his presidential salary to charity. He also chose not to live in the beautiful presidential palace but rather opted to stay in his humble farmhouse with his wife. During his time as president, he challenged other South American leaders to speak up for equality and justice and not to get seduced by political power and financial gain. He did not hold on to his position as president but viewed himself as a citizen of Uruguay equal with his fellow citizens.
The writer of Hebrews stressed the humble nature of Christ in this passage. The title of high priest was not something that Jesus claimed himself and used to his advantage. In fact, he allowed the Father to call him and to elevate him. The Gospels further show Jesus’s reluctance to claim a title. Often Jesus asked his disciples not to share that he was the Messiah. Jesus did this because he knew that titles can be hollow and misleading. Jesus is the Messiah, the Great High Priest, but you would not hear it from him.
Lead with humility.
Mark Moore is the spiritual formation pastor at Faith Legacy Church in Sacramento, California, and an auxiliary professor of theology at William Jessup University.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
