Eyes On Jesus

I came across a picture recently that conveys the view some maintain of the role of priests or pastors in the church.  Between the risen Jesus Christ and the children receiving communion, a haloed priest stands as mediator between God and man.  To receive the divine benefits of the broken body of Jesus and His shed blood, the priest provides the sole means of receiving God's grace.  The picture illustrates a view of the church that is disembodied from Jesus Christ as the head, replaced by a robed man that is holier than thou.

In writing to the 7 churches (which by extension include the entire church and body of Christ), John offered grace and peace in Revelation 1:5-6 "...from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, ⁶ and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."  God has made all born again Christians as kings and priests unto Him.  This is not to say God does not give authority and responsibilities to leaders in the church, but to show the unity of believers who are all in Christ.  Rather than resembling a Mosaic system where Moses was intercessor between God and the Hebrews, under the New Covenant Jesus is in that glorious role for all people who believe--not the church or priests.

For the glory of the eternal, wise God Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1-6, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time..."  A more accurate picture would be for the priest to be standing alongside the children with enraptured eyes on Jesus, for Jesus alone is the God and Mediator between God and all people.  Pastors and parishioners alike are to keep their eyes on Jesus and follow Him by faith, all needing forgiveness and reconciliation with God through Jesus.  Rather than looking to a priest to be absolved from sins, the dependence of every child of God is to be on Jesus Who once for all died for our sins, was raised in glory, and stands at the right hand of the Father.

Regardless of our role in the church, let us be those who refuse to obscure the view of Jesus who rules and reigns on high by seeking glory for ourselves.  Let us also not look to a priest, saint, pastor or mentor to do for us what only Jesus can or to guide or help us like the Holy Spirit is faithful to do.  Praise the LORD for the blessings and benefits of fellowship in the church, but let us remember the church is merely the body of which Jesus is the Head.  All the answers to prayer, salvation, forgiveness and acceptance before God is from God alone, and let us give Him glory rather than man.  Let us thank people for their faithful service unto the LORD and express our gratitude to God for His generous provision, but let us direct hungry and thirsty souls to Jesus to find salvation and rest while we look to Him ourselves.