The Anti-Type Priest

I remember a cell phone that I had a few years ago. The phone was basic; I could make calls, send texts and play the classic cell phone game of snake. That cell-phone defined for me what a cell-phone should do. Now it is buried along side of other obsolete electronics in the top drawer of my dresser. In my left pocket you will find an iPhone 3g. This device can make calls, send texts and even run a game of snake. To say that the device that I have currently is like my old phone is incorrect. Both phones share the basic function of being able to make calls and the concept of making communication easy. However they are not the same, the iPhone is capable of more functions than my previous phone such as email, browsing the Internet and pin-pointing my location on a map.

My original cell phone can be labeled by the term “type.” Type can be used to describe an event, person or idea from history. It is a real thing that set a standard for things like it in the future. My iPhone 3g is an “antitype”, the new thing, the better thing. Essentially the “antitype” is like the “type”, but far better (Richter, 178). We can find the things like the old cell-phone, the “type” in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we find the iPhone 3g like things, the “antitype”. A major example of biblical “types” and “antitypes” can be found in the human priests of the Old Testaments and the ultimate priest, Jesus, in the New Testament.

People are sinful and people need someone to intercede for our forgiveness. The original priests were people appointed by people for the people to act on their behalf in their relations to God. Jesus was more than a person and when it came to his appointment, he was placed directly in the position by God the Father (Hebrews 5:1-10). When the appointed men, went to act on behalf of others, they had to make sure that they were right with God first. Jesus was sinless, he did not have to do anything for his relationship with God first to be able to serve others (Hebrews 7:26-28). The blood of bulls, goats and birds were the original sacrifice people and priests made for the cleansing sins. For the priesthood that we find in Jesus, the sacrifice is his own, personal blood. His blood is stronger and more potent than any other blood. The shedding of His blood as he hung on the cross is worth more than a continual flow of blood from the once used animals. (Hebrews 9:11-14). In the days with humans priests making the sacrifices, it seems as if faith was more of a social exercise, Jesus made faith personal (Hebrews 8:8-12) Jesus is indeed the "anti-typical" priest, he is the new priest, the much improved priest. He is the better way of restoring our relationship with God and having our sins interceeded for.

In two years my iPhone 3g, will be looked upon as just the “type” and a new invention will rise to “antitype” status. Jesus was the “antitype” priest of 2,000 years ago, he is the “antitype” priest of today, and forever will be the “antitype” What people need to discover is that Jesus is the one thing that will never be upgraded or out done. And to find that he was, is and will remain the one way to a restored relationship with God.

Relationships. Prayer. Spontenaity

Heather and I went on a date this past Friday. We are trying to work our way through a book called Ten Great Dates before you Say I Do. The point of this book is to outline topics to talk about before marriage over a nice dinner. I agreed to do this; It is very important that we talk about these issues both on our own and with a premarital counselor. However if we continue life with a book that guides our every discussion, how intimate can we become? What would happen to our spontaneity? Could we have a true relationship that is indepent of outside influences?

As I look at my experience with prayer, I feel that I have been taught to use a guided discussion, just like the ones that we would find in that book. I have been taught how to pray through a certain format or to pray as if we were reading off of a list. To be honest I have taught this style as well. Formated prayer has value; spiritually, historically and communally, but so do unstructured prayers. As much as structure may help us grow and make sure things are covered, unsturctured prayers give that spontaneity to our personal relationship with God. Spontenaity keeps the sparkle of a new or refreshed relationship with God.

Clear your mind. Get on your knees. See what comes out and where you go.

Brick Wall Syndrome

The past several weeks have been really tough. I started my masters of divinity online, while trying to balance hours at the bookstore and the YMCA, while trying to devote time to my relationships. School is not what I imagined and I have claimed to hate it. I do not though, I love that I have this amazing opportunity.

My problem is that I have taken all that I have on my plate and have built a wall that I cannot see over on my own. I see a insurmountable, cinder-block wall that blocks my vision of the great things that God has specifically me. I just feel that I cannot see. I know that I can, but I choose not too.

The reason that I have facing a brick wall syndrome is because I want to look out with out looking out. If I simply look up, I would realize that their is a God that is going to pick me up so I can see. Tonight I asked to be picked up and I pray that I never want to be put down.

If the wall gets higher, I know that I God will help me see over it more. I may have a lot ahead of me, but I will no let it block God-given visions.

I hope that you too can trust God to pick you up to see over the struggles that form a wall in front of you.