Lent 5 | Hebrews 5:1-10 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
High Priest by Alisha Powell, Cassie Campbell, and Jon Thurlow

Lyrics:
I stand before the throne and boldly I approach
Not by my own righteousness I stand
Behold there is a Lamb standing as though slain
His blood was spilled He made a way for me

I have a High Priest
Who has passed through the heavens
I have a High Priest
Who has made intercession
I have a High Priest
Through His body He made a way

I enter in by faith before the throne of grace
Into that holy place with confidence I enter in
Behold there is a Man
Whose hands still bear the scars
And through His death He tore the veil for me

Thank You for the wound in Your side
You made a way for me You made a way for me

Passage:
For every high priest taken from among men is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness. 3 Because of this, he must make an offering for his own sins as well as for the people. 4 No one takes this honor on himself; instead, a person is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 In the same way, Christ did not exalt himself to become a high priest, but God who said to him,

You are my Son;

today I have become your Father,

6 also says in another place,

You are a priest forever

according to the order of Melchizedek.

7 During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. 9 After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. -- Hebrews 5:1-10 (CSB)

Musical Reflection:
Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 by J.S. Bach

Reflection Notes:
Bach’s well-known prelude spins out a series of modulations, almost imperceptible at first. The new harmonies continually unfold in a way that intrigues but never shocks.

Prayer:
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.