The Nail-Scarred Hand of God

As much as I like new Christian music, I can’t help but find a greater satisfaction from old hymns. I’m sure it has to do with nostalgia, but it’s interesting considering the number of conversations with friends about “those boring old hymns.” Now, I love those boring old hymns. What is really cool is the number of new artists rearranging the hymns for modern ears. One day, awhile back, it occurred to me why I love the old hymns. The good ones (and there are not so good ones) are rich in theology. They teach us as we worship.

One particularly good “boring old hymn” is “The Nail-Scarred Hand.” Do you remember it?

Have you failed in your plan of your storm-tossed life?

Place you hand in the nail-scarred hand;

Are you weary and worn from its toil and strife?

Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand.

Chorus:

Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand,

Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand;

He will keep to the end, He's your dearest friend,

Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand.

2 Are you walking alone through the shadows dim?

Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand;

Christ will comfort your heart, put your trust in Him,

Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand. [Chorus]

3 Would you follow the will of the risen Lord?

Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand;

Would you live in the light of His blessed Word?

Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand. [Chorus]

4 Is your soul burdened down with its load of sin?

Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand;

Throw your heart open wide, let the Savior in,

Place your hand in the nail-scarred hand. [Chorus]

It’s a simple melody, but it is so rich in meaning.

Have you failed in your plans? Place you hand in the nail-scarred hand.

Are you walking alone? Place you hand in the nail-scarred hand.

Do you want to follow God’s will? Place you hand in the nail-scarred hand.

Do you feel the burden of sin? Place you hand in the nail-scarred hand.

Sometimes people criticize Christians for acting like Jesus is the answer to all our problems. That’s because Jesus is the answer to all life’s problems. Today, as we read the first part of Hebrews 5, we will discover why Jesus really is the answer to life’s problems.

The Son Who Became Priest | Hebrews 5:1-10

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him 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,
    after the order of Melchizedek.”

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 5:1-10

This particular section of chapter 5 is in a literary structure known as a “chiasm”. It’s actually a Hebrew literary device, and so it makes sense the author who is primarily dealing with Jewish Christians would use such a device. Some scholars have also suggested verses 1-10 is a form of hymn based on reading the Greek text. There is a rhythmic style to the writing as you would find in a song. So, how does a chiasm work? It uses parallel lines that meet in the middle. The first line is parallel to the last line, the second to the second to the last, and so on until you reach the middle—the emphasis of the whole. Let’s take a look.

A - The old office of high priest (5:1)

B - The solidarity of the high priest with the people (5:2-3)

C - The call of the high priest (5:4)

C’ - The call of Christ (5:5-6)

B’ - The solidarity of Christ with the people (5:7-8)

A’ - The new office of high priest (5:9-10)

The emphasis of the passage comes clear when we take a look at the middle in verse 5, “Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’”

Jesus perfectly fulfills the role of High Priest between God and Humanity.

Jesus was appointed by God to be the High Priest of humanity. The rest of the passage gives God’s criteria for choosing Jesus. Now, looking back from our perspective, it may seem like a circular argument to say Jesus was chosen when Jesus was the one sent to earth to begin with. But, the point of the hymn is not to establish Jesus is the Messiah (that has already been done), rather it is to establish why Jesus is able to fulfill this duty.

So what makes Jesus so special? Well, the short answer is because God said so. But, let’s take a look at the long answer, because the long answer is what will help us in our times of doubt and struggle. (The short answer is really for those who find themselves in the same position as a rebellious teenager.)

First, God established the High Priest position in Israel as a typology of the Savior who was to come. We have talked about typologies before. They are historical events that foreshadow a work God is going to do in the future. In this case, the High Priest was the one priest chosen by God that could enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. We will return to this function of the priests in chapter 9, but for today the main point is that God would choose the High Priest. The priests would select candidates who exemplified God’s standard for what a priest should be (including being from the line of Aaron), and then they cast lots for the final decision. Of course, later in Israel’s history, corruption emerged in regards to choosing a high priest, but that is yet another reason why Israel found themselves in exile.

Originally, the High Priest would come from the line of Aaron and had to be ‘unblemished’—meaning physically fit. Later, the High Priest would be chosen from the line of Zadok who was High Priest during the United Kingdom period. By the time of the first century AD, however, the high priest would be whomever was allowed to serve based on the whims of the Romans and their lackeys the Hasmoneans and Herodians. When Hebrews mentions the high priest only served when called by God, a bit of irony may be implied. In fact, we should remember the priests and high priests were part of the crowd that called for Jesus’ crucifixion.

The history of the sacrificial system and its priests established the need for an intermediary between God and humanity, but its ultimate corruption by Roman authority demonstrated the need for a perfect priest.

The principle for today is well worth noting. Religion by itself fails to fulfill the needs of humanity. A religion that is more concerned with political power or social standing cannot draw us closer to God. Only a religious system whose primary motive is obedience and faithfulness to the One True Lord can be beneficial to us. That is one reason why you will hear Christians sometimes say, “Christianity is about a relationship, not a religion.” While I understand, and agree with, the sentiment, Christianity is still a religion. The difference is this: true Christianity focuses on allegiance and faithfulness to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. If we find ourselves in a church that seems to be more focused on some political figure or party, or a church overly concerned with their standing in the community, it may be time to find a new church. Our allegiance is always and only to Christ because He is the perfect priest, and perfect Lamb, who can take away sin.

Second, Jesus is able to be our Great High Priest because He was obedient through his suffering. He walked the same road we walk, but He was obedient to God. He “knew no sin,” as Paul says. Verse 8 has an interesting Greek phrase to describe Jesus’ obedience. Literally, verse 8 says, “He learned from what he suffered”—Emathane aff ohn epathane.

It is a popular saying outside of the Bible used primarily in reference to the young and foolish who have to learn from their mistakes. One commentator wrote “this would be a very bold statement from this perspective.” But Jesus did not learn obedience through foolishness, but rather he learned experientially what it means to obey despite and through suffering. He truly knows what it is like to suffer for doing good and following God because he has experienced such suffering.

Sometimes we suffer from our foolishness, but sometimes we suffer because God is teaching us obedience in order to exalt us to a higher position with Him. Take a look at this picture I found.

How we think of behavior patterns normally

Flip the perspective and see the real growth

If you find yourself struggling with temptations, or just simply your own foolishness, I have good news for you. First, that just means you are human, so there’s no reason to beat yourself up. That’s actually Satan’s job, so quit doing his work for him. Second, you may just have your perspective wrong. Sure, you have had setbacks and failures, but what has God done with these failures? Have you learned greater obedience? Have you learned your limits and what boundaries you need for your own well-being? If so, then congratulations, you are learning obedience. Perfection will happen in heaven, growth happens now on earth.

Even Jesus went through a growing process in His obedience. No, he did not sin, but He still was young. He still went through adolescence. He still felt the oppression of hostile forces pressing Him to be disobedient.

Jesus descended from Heaven, took on flesh, and went through a life of suffering in order to fulfill His mission of salvation. Even more so, he did not choose a shortcut. He did not exalt himself above other humans. He willingly chose to walk the path of humility not living as he deserved, but living as He was called. And now, He is raised to the highest heights of heaven, the very throne of God, because He was obedient.

Jesus is worthy to be our Great High Priest because of His perfect faithfulness to God and His perfect faithfulness to Humanity.

Last, Jesus is the rightful person to be our Great High Priest because salvation comes through Him alone. In verses 9 and 10, Hebrews says he is the source of our salvation being made perfect and being “designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews will return to Melchizedek in chapter 7, but for today we can simply note Melchizedek’s significance is that God chose him to be Abraham’s priest.

Abram was called by God to come out of Ur and become a new family unto the Lord. His nephew Lot also went with him, but they separated when both families’ wealth became too much for the land. One day, Lot found himself caught in a war between local kingdoms, and he was taken along with his family and possessions. Abram learned about Lot’s captivity and led an army to rescue him and his people. Upon returning, the Bible records Melchizedek came to Abram to bless him with bread and wine (*ahem* foreshadowing the Eucharist *ahem*).

Melchizedek is a combination of malak (king) and zedek (righteousness). He was priest of El Elyon and king of Salem. This figure, who emerges seemingly out of nowhere, is both a priest of the Most High God and a king. Hebrews is connecting for us how Jesus can be both King and Priest. Yes, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Son of God. But, because of His life of obedience, even unto death, He is our Great High Priest who intercedes for us.

Now, before we close, there is one more phrase I would like for us to take a closer look. In verse 7, Hebrews records, “Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.”

In this verse is an adaptation of a popular Jewish saying:

There are three kinds of prayers each loftier than the preceding: prayer, crying, and tears. Prayer is made in silence: crying with raised voice: but tears overcome all things.

Many times the Gospels tell us Jesus would go alone to pray. But several times, and probably more times than are recorded, they also tell us Jesus spent this time crying. I think of when Lazarus laid in the tomb. I think of the time Jesus looked upon Jerusalem and lamented they would not turn their hearts to God so he could protect them as a hen protects her chicks.

But mostly, I think of the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus’ tears fell so hard, and his stress was so high, that those tears mingled with blood. The spiritual weight of sin was pressing on Him. And later, when he hung on the cross, as the weight of that sin began permeating his very soul, He cried out in an agony that only those whose fathers have turned their backs on their sons know.

He who knew no sin became sin.

But that cry was not unheard. Because of Jesus’ obedience, even unto death, the Father heard His Son’s cry, and on the third day, Jesus was raised from death. What appeared to be the darkest day for Christ, and for the whole world, gave way to the greatest day in history—Resurrection Day.

I don’t know where you are in your walk with Jesus today, but take one last look at verse 9 again. “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” Jesus is the source of eternal salvation. That means when we put our trust in him, not only is our eternity secure, but so is tomorrow and today. He is (not was) our High Priest who sits at right hand of the Father making intercession for us.

Perhaps you need salvation from some outside oppression. He understands because he has felt the same oppression.

Perhaps you need salvation from those temptations that keep dragging you into sin. He understands because he has felt the same temptation—and has overcome them.

Perhaps you need salvation from the weight of sin that is dragging you to hell. He understands that, too, because on the cross he took the sin of the whole world, past, present, and future—and has overcome!

Whatever your trouble today, Jesus is our High Priest who stands ready to serve us. He will guide us into forgiveness and wisdom if we will simply obey when He speaks.