Priest and people: reciprocal services.
Two things are stated in the Law concerning the priesthood.
I. THAT EVERY POSSIBLE THING WAS DONE TO IMPART TO THEM PECULIAR SANCTITY. They were separated and sanctified by various ceremonies and services.
II. THAT SPECIAL SANCTITY WAS ASSOCIATED IN THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE WITH THEIR PERSON AND OFFICE. So much so that offerings given to them were lawfully regarded as presented to Jehovah. In the meat offering "the remnant" (the greater part) was to be "Aaron's and his sons'," and this is declared to be "a thing most holy." To these statements we may add—
III. THAT WHILE THEIR NEARNESS TO GOD CONFERRED SPECIAL PRIVILEGE, IT DID NOT ENSURE PERSONAL HOLINESS (Leviticus 10:1; 1 Samuel 2:17, 1 Samuel 2:23; Malachi 1:6-10; Malachi 2:1-9).
IV. THAT IN PROPORTION TO THEIR PERSONAL EXCELLENCE WOULD BE THE OFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE. Few meat offerings would be brought whereby a rapacious, or arrogant, or impure, or unsocial, or irreverent priesthood would be benefited; but free and full offerings would come to the altar where blameless, beloved, and honoured men were ministering.
The Christian ministry is unlike the Jewish priesthood in that:
1. It is not hereditary; it is (or should be)only entered upon where there is individual fitness for the office.
2. It offers no sacrifices (Hebrews 10:11, Hebrews 10:12).
3. It approaches God with men rather than for them. Yet it is like that ancient priesthood, in that it is a section of God's people set apart for conducting Divine worship and for the service of society in all sacred things. We are reminded—
I. THAT IT IS THE WILL OF CHRIST THAT CHRISTIAN MINISTERS SHOULD BE SUSTAINED BY THE PEOPLE'S OFFERINGS (1 Corinthians 9:11, 1 Corinthians 9:13, 1 Corinthians 9:14).
II. THAT WHAT IS PRESENTED TO THEM FOR THEIR WORK'S SAKE, CHRIST COUNTS AS OFFERED TO HIMSELF (Matthew 10:40, Matthew 10:41; Philippians 4:18).
III. THAT IN THE RELATIONS OF MINISTER AND PEOPLE THERE SHOULD BE RECIPROCAL GENEROSITY. On the part of the latter let there be:
1. Full appreciation of the high nature and the large number of their services.
2. Generous overlooking of lesser faults, remembering human frailty.
3. Constant credit for purity of motive.
4. Active sympathy and cooperation; and
5. Substantial practical support.
He who has "the burden of the Lord" upon his heart should not be weighed down with temporal anxieties. On the part of the former, let there be:
1. Complete subordination of temporal to spiritual solicitudes.
2. Free and generous expenditure of love and strength, both on individual souls in special need, and on the Church and the world. Reciprocal indifference and closeness will end in leanness of soul; reciprocal love and generosity in largeness of heart and nobility of life (Luke 6:38).—C.
HOMILIES BY R.A. REDFORD