Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, September 12, 2015
Naming God Great High Priest
I took another little leap today. I used a different kind of Name of God for my word(s) for Centering Prayer today. My Name of God for today is Great High Priest.
Why a leap, you wonder? Because the Name did not quite feel to me like a Name of God. Sure, a High Priest is special. One of a kind. But Aaron and his descendants are people. Human beings. Not God Almighty. That’s why I initially didn’t feel like the Great High Priest was God.
My mind was flitting about, in between times I actually prayed and concentrated on the Name “Great High Priest.” It was a good time of prayer, but a somewhat interrupted time of prayer.
Then, as I prayed, I started to reflect where this Name came from. The letter to the scattered Hebrews uses several rhetorical devices to get its points across, including the repetition of the term “better.” Jesus is “better” than prophets, angels, Moses, Aaron, and the priestly succession. Thus, He’s superior. I guess that makes Him better than the best.
Dear God, thanks for this focused time to concentrate on an idea and a Name of Yours that I usually don’t think of. The image of Jesus as High Priest usually doesn’t even cross my consciousness. And I mean, ever. I appreciate calling You by different Names, and even by Names I don’t often think of. It’s a great experience. Truly.
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