No Angles, No Ladders--May 28, 2021
"So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'; as he says also in another place, 'You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek'." [Hebrews 5:5-6]
Jesus doesn't have an "angle"--he's just good.
Jesus is not looking to climb up some ladder of achievement to greater status, either, which means that his care for you isn't just a stepping stone for future steps of his messianic career.
In fact, Jesus has never been interested in whipping up a crowd to tell him he is great and stroke his ego--he is secure enough, grounded enough, in who he is, not to be so fragile as to need that kind of self-adulation.
That makes all the difference, honestly, between Jesus and every demagogue, every rising star of a political party, and every public figure of history who uses their position as just a launching pad to something more prestigious or powerful. Jesus isn't interested in photo ops to get more attention or glory for himself--he does what he does, always, because of his love for us--for you, for me, and for a whole world full of us. Jesus has never been in this for the glory or for what he can "get" as a result of being our Savior; he has always been in it for the love of us.
Now, that by itself is worth a moment's consideration, because it is so different from the logic we are taught in so many other corners of our society. We are told in school that we should do well--get the good grades, be on teams and in clubs, get elected class president, rack up awards and accolades, and all the rest--because of what those things will do for us at the next step: acceptance to college, a better starting pay at a job, a leg up for a scholarship, or whatever else we are told to aim for next. The conversation is rarely, "This is important to know because it will help you to be a wise and informed mature human being who can think critically," or "You should follow this area of interest because it's worthy of your time by itself, regardless of what it gets you later on." Then at some point we are put on track for work in the same terms: use the current job you have to angle for something better. Look for a way to get out of what you are doing now so that you can do something else--with better pay, or a better title, or with more influence, and so on--at the next stage. Everything seems to be built around the assumption that we should never live in the present moment doing something that is worthwhile, simply because it is worthwhile, but should always be angling for the next big thing, and leveraging our present situation for something "better" at the next turn.
Seriously, is it any wonder so many people feel like they are permanently dissatisfied with life, when we are all steered from an early age to be thinking about how doing well enough now will get us noticed more at some future stage? And is it any surprise that so many people think of their jobs, not as vocations by which they can love their neighbors and use their talents and time, but as a means to an end--just to make more bucks, either for themselves, or to kickstart their kids into jumping into the same rat race? As a way of life that breed discontentment and chokes out the ability to be joyful in the present moment. And honestly, that way of life sounds like and endless nightmare, even when it's dressed up and called "the American dream."
Jesus' approach to his own calling offers a joy-filled, purposeful, life-giving alternative. He didn't see his earthly ministry as a stepping stone to a heavenly promotion, but rather it was his mission and vocation at the time to love people in his words, actions, and presence. It was never about thinking, "If these people notice how I'm doing such a good job, then I'll be in better position for my climb up the ladder of success." Rather, Jesus' perspective was always, "How can I love and serve and embody the Reign of God here, now, with the people who happen to be right here in front of me?"
The writer of Hebrews has latched onto that difference here. He notes that, just like the ancient high priests of Israel's past didn't lobby or audition for the job of high priest, but had it conferred on them, Jesus was never trying to stroke his own ego or leverage his social capital for a promotion further up on the celestial corporate ladder. He didn't seek to glorify himself by taking on the role of our intermediary--our "high priest," as the text here says. Rather, Jesus was always just the Right One for the job. Jesus is the opposite of Napoleon crowning himself emperor, or of the modern-day demagogue riling up a crowd to goose his own fame, and thereby his future prospects. He isn't looking to game the system to get or be something other than what he already is--he is simply so committed to your well-being that he is perfectly happy to spend his life and energy seeking your and my good. No game-playing necessary. No angles. No treating a person or a position as just a stepping stone until something better comes along.
I hope we can hear what refreshingly good news that is, because it means that Jesus doesn't save us as a means toward getting some other perk or promotion for himself. Jesus isn't interceding for us at this very moment in the hopes that he'll get a cushier gig in the future. And he doesn't pander with photo ops to look good while not really caring about us or our lives. He really loves you. He really cares about you. And he really is completely at peace with spending his energy bringing you more fully into the life and love of God.
That by itself is good. And yet there is even further good news for us in the realization that we can be as free as Jesus is, too, by not living our lives constantly dissatisfied and posturing for something we image will be better, but by choosing what we do with this day and this opportunity for the sake of others. You and I don't have to be ruled by the thought process that says, "Is my work today helping me to get ahead for something better?" (which is always a losing game), but rather, we can ask a different question: how can I use the situation I have been given today to love others well, trusting that God has got me covered and will meet my needs in this day?
Honestly, that's how I want to spend this day in front of us, and every other one I get after that--not calculating what moves I should make so I can have a cushier retirement or a longer list of accolades after my name or amass more money to go somewhere else to find happiness, but rather seeking to discover joy, purpose, and fulfillment right here in front of me, as I let God's love for me also flow through me to others. That's how Jesus already approaches his calling right now as our forever alive high priest. And that's how you and I could be living this day, too.
I'm ready to try it today... how about you?
Lord Jesus, show us today how to live this day for its own sake, rather than just as a stepping stone to something else we think we want or need.
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