Long before the first century, religious institutions recognized that the laity could be financially beneficial for the religious leaders gain. Even during the time of Abraham, over four thousand years ago, the Egyptian priests sold indulgences to the people so that their dead loved ones would “get out of Hades”. The same move is played over and over in every religion. One must pay the priest who will put in a good word for the family. The need for this mediator insulated the corrupt leaders from never losing their jobs. After the Council of Nicaea the indulgences made the churches and synagogues rich, so governments stepped in and created state religions that would collect these indulgences. Today, a similar underlying scam is used on the laity. Paul disrupts the state religion in Jerusalem, run by the Pharisees, with the good news of Jesus Christ being our mediator and no other mediator is needed. This is a key fact in the new administration that Christ instituted by his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. The dismantling of the Pharisaical hold on Israel was aided by scholarly writings. In order to deconstruct the religion that the Pharisees had built the writer of Hebrews takes apart their doctrines.
The Pharisees had set themselves up in a lavish and posh lifestyle that was built upon the tithes of the people. Prior to Judah’s captivity, once per year the people were to bring a tithe into the temple for the Levites who were not supposed to own property or possessions but were to live among all twelve tribes. In the first century however these Pharisees lived quite nicely, enjoying the finer things in life such as expensive robes, banquets, as well as position and prestige. Fast forward into our time. The same directives that the Pharisees mandated among the people are being mandated in churches and synagogues. Some religious organizations actually require that congregants allow them to view their pay stubs to make sure that they are tithing the expected amount. Some require that a tithing history be established for congregants in the church in order to determine who can be a leader. Meanwhile the expensive clothes, cars, and homes of the religious leaders goes on without question, as they travel the globe in a high class style. Does anyone find it odd that a preacher can be robbed of over one million dollars in fashion accessories while preaching?
Hebrews was not written by Paul but by one of Paul’s friends. Whether this person was a Pharisee who went to Essene Schooling or was simply an Essene teacher, they understood how to talk to Pharisees. Hebrews is written to Pharisees. Pharisees believed in angels and the resurrection, whereas the Sadducees did not. Hebrews explains the intricate details of Jesus as Savior and Lord, hitting all the points that were contended by the Pharisees. One of which is the need for a mediator. The Pharisees positioned themselves as mediators, but as Hebrews explains, Jesus Christ is the mediator.
Hebrews 8:6 G3568 But now G1161 G1313 a more diverse G5177 [2he has attained G3009 1ministration], G3745 in as much as G2532 also G2908 [3of a better G1510.2.3 1he is G1242 4covenant G3316 2mediator], G3748 which G1909 [2upon G2908 3better G1860 4promises G3549 1is established].
3009 LSJ Gloss: λειτουργίαa liturgy
Dodson:λειτουργία a charitable gift, public service a charitable gift, public service in the widest sense; service as of priest or Levite ritual.
TBESG:λειτουργία ministry
G:N-F
λειτουργία, -ας, ἡ
(< λειτουργέω), [in LXX chiefly for עֲבֹדָה,
Thayer:
1) a public office which a citizen undertakes to administer at his own expense
2) any service
2a) of military service
2b) of the service of workmen
2c) of that done to nature in the cohabitation of man and wife
3) biblical usage
3a) a service or ministry of the priests relative to the prayers and sacrifices offered to God
3b) a gift or benefaction for the relief of the needy
λειτουργία
leitourgia li-toorg-ee'-ah From G3008; public function (as priest [“liturgy” ] or almsgiver)
KJV Usage: ministration (-try), service.
1242 LSJ Gloss:διαθήκη a disposition
Dodson:διαθήκη a covenant, will, testament (a) a covenant between two parties, (b) (the ordinary, everyday sense [found a countless number of times in papyri]) a will, testament.
TBESG:διαθήκη covenant
G:N-F
διαθήκη, -ης, ἡ
(< διατίθημι), [freq. in LXX, and nearly always for בְּרִית ;]
Thayer:
1) a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will
2) a compact, a covenant, a testament
2a) God's covenant with Noah, etc.
διαθήκη
diathēkē dee-ath-ay'-kay From G1303; properly a disposition, that is, (specifically) a contract (especially a devisory will) KJV Usage: covenant, testament.
3316 LSJ Gloss:μεσίτης a mediator, umpire, arbitrator
Dodson:μεσίτης a mediator, go-between (a) a mediator, intermediary, (b) a go-between, arbiter, agent of something good.
TBESG:μεσίτης mediator
G:N-M
μεσίτης, -ου, ὁ
(< μέσος), [in LXX: Job.9:33 (בֵּין)* ;]
an arbitrator, mediator: Gal.3:19; with dupl. genitive of person(s), θεοῦ κ. ἀνθρώπων, Thayer:
1) one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant
2) a medium of communication, arbitrator
μεσίτης
mesitēs mes-ee'-tace From G3319; a go between, that is, (simply) an internunciator, or (by implication) a reconciler (intercessor) KJV Usage: mediator.
Jesus now has a diverse and more excellent public function or liturgy. Jesus is the go-between or the one who reconciles us back to the Father. There is no need for a man to act as the arbitrator, Jesus was the man who is the Christ, our reconciler. He is the mediator of a better covenant with better promises.
There are two ways that religious leaders insert themselves as mediator. One is putting themselves between us and Jesus Christ, and the other is putting themselves between us and God the Father. In the second case, some religions skip past Jesus altogether and believe that they can go directly to the Father. They cannot. Everyone goes through Jesus Christ. There are no go-betweens anymore. Jesus is the arbitrator who reconciles us back to the Father. There is no human reconciler, instead we have the ministry of reconciliation, meaning that we can introduce people to the reconciler. Once we teach people about Jesus Christ as a personal Lord and Savior, we have no position in reconciling that person. It is between them and Jesus. Jesus has the diverse public service, meaning he can reconcile people from all nations in all ages, into His Body, to the Heavenly Father.
The context here is Jesus Christ being a chief priest, or high priest. Remember, Jesus was not a high priest when he came the first time, he was a teacher. He was not allowed into the inner courts of the temple. Jesus could only teach in the outer courts. Today he is seated next to the Father in heaven and is the minister of the holy of holies.
Hebrews 8:1 G2774 But the total sum G1161 G1909 upon G3588 the things G3004 being spoken is, G5108 [2such G2192 1we have] G749 a chief priest, G3739 one who G2523 sat G1722 at G1188 the right G3588 of the G2362 throne G3588 of the G3172 greatness G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heavens,
2 G3588 [2of the G39 3holies G3011 1a minister], G2532 and G3588 of the G4633 [2tent G3588 G228 1true], G3739 which G4078 [3pitched G3588 1the G2962 2Lord], G2532 and G3756 not G444 man.
What is the problem with a human mediator? Humans. Humans are fallible. Most people never even know the individuals that they attempt to mediate for or counsel. Sometimes the mediation is manipulative due to the human giving the mediation. We want to elevate pastors and ministers as if they are better people than we are, but in reality most just stand in the way of our relationship with Jesus. Many will oppose what we feel the Lord wants us to do, and many will deny what the Lord speaks to us. Jesus Christ is the one that we can trust as a high priest, savior, and reconciler. All the humans standing between us and Jesus are false mediators.
We know that the temple high priesthood was defiled by the installation of Jonathan Apphus, a man of blood and with no Aaronic lineage. The hardest thing that the Pharisees had to overcome was that event, yet it was that event that predicated their entire liturgy. All the compromises they had to make from that time on were due to Jonathan Apphus. Then their doctrines changed and morphed into their unholy enforced religion. When the Messiah came they expected that he would overthrow Rome. Yet they were not going to give up their lucrative positions as religious leaders. Their messiah would have to fit their religion, but the The Messiah did not.
Hebrews 8:7 G1487 For if G1063 G3588 G4413 that first covenant G1565 G1510.7.3 was G273 blameless, G3756 [2would not G302 G1208 5for a second G2212 1there 3be sought G5117 4place].
Everyone knew that the Messiah was prophesied from Isaiah. From Daniel they knew when and where he would be declared Messiah. The Pharisees along with the Sadducees and Essenes all expected the Messiah, but when Jesus came, opening eyes from people born blind, he did not pat them on the back but exposed their ridiculous religion instead. Naturally, the Pharisees rejected him. Now, several years later, looking backward in time, someone is trying to deconstruct their religious tower. They expected a change in administration after the Messiah came. They knew that the first covenant was faulty, especially since Israel was not under her own rule. They looked ahead for a new covenant.
Hebrews 8:8 G3201 For complaining G1063 G1473 against them G3004 he says, G2400 Behold, G2250 days G2064 come, G3004 says G2962 the Lord, G2532 and G4931 I will complete G1909 upon G3588 the G3624 house G* of Israel G2532 and G1909 upon G3588 the G3624 house G* of Judah G1242 [2covenant G2537 1a new];
This section is quoted from Jeremiah 31:31-ff. It was prophesied that there would be a new covenant. Jesus is the go-between for the new covenant. The writer of Hebrews explains that by His blood he paid our ransom. Two thousand years ago a new covenant was instituted. Yet some people still believe in the old, unreconcilable, ways.
Hebrews 9:13 G1487 For if G1063 G3588 the G129 blood G5022 of bulls G2532 and G5131 he-goats, G2532 and G4700 ashes G1151 of a heifer G4472 sprinkling G3588 the ones G2840 being unclean, G37 sanctifies G4314 for G3588 the G3588 [2of the G4561 3flesh G2514 1cleanliness],
14 G4214 how much G3123 more G3588 the G129 blood G3588 of the G5547 Christ, G3739 (who G1223 through G4151 [2spirit G166 1eternal] G1438 offered himself G4374 G299 unblemished G3588 G2316 to God,) G2511 shall cleanse G3588 G4893 your conscience G1473 G575 from G3498 dead G2041 works G1519 for G3588 G3000 serving G2316 the living God. G2198
15 G2532 And G1223 because of G3778 this G1242 [4covenant G2537 3of a new G3316 2mediator G1510.2.3 1he is], G3704 so that G2288 death G1096 having taken place, G1519 for G629 the release by ransom G3588 for the G1909 [2unto G3588 3the G4413 4first G1242 5covenant G3847 1violations], G3588 [4of the G1860 5promise G2983 3should receive G3588 1 so the ones G2564 2having been called] G3588 of the G166 eternal G2817 inheritance.
While the blood sacrifice was an atonement for sins, Jesus’ sacrifice was a once for all, atonement for all our sins, past, present, and future. Because he was the sacrifice, he is the mediator of a new covenant. This new covenant is for those who choose Him. It is an eternal inheritance. This puts religious leaders who attempt to control their congregants in a position against Jesus, not in help of Jesus. There should be no man between us and Jesus. If there is, they are fake mediators, or phony arbitrators.
The writer of Hebrews is building this understanding of Jesus as Messiah for the demolition of the Pharisaical religious stronghold. We usually don’t look at the first century time period in Jerusalem as the tearing down of the old broken unclean system, but it was. The overtly domineering and narcissistic religious leaders, who believed they had the right to murder whomever opposed them, were the target of Jesus and Paul. Both religions and governments eventually rise to a tyrannical position if they feel threatened, and that they are losing people and their money. Paul is tearing the system down to give Jesus Christ his rightful place.
The writer of Hebrews does’t just tell people about spiritual matters but physical ones as well. Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant where Jesus is the new leader and the high priest by his perfect sacrifice. His new covenant comes with a new physical heavenly Zion, the city of the Living God.
Hebrews 12:18 G3756 [3not G1063 1For G4334 2you have] come forward to G5584 [2being handled G3735 1 the mountain] G2532 and G2545 being kindled G4442 with fire, G2532 and G1105 to dimness, G2532 and G4655 to darkness, G2532 and G2366 to storm,
19 G2532 and G4536 to the trumpet's G2279 sound, G2532 and G5456 to the voice G4487 of utterances, G3739 of which G3588 the ones G191 hearing G3868 asked pardon G3361 [2to not G4369 3proceed G1473 4to them G3056 1 for the word];
20 G3756 [2they could not G5342 3bear G1063 1for] G3588 the G1291 giving of orders, saying, G2579 And if G2342 a beast G2345 should touch lightly upon G3588 the G3735 mountain, G3036 it shall be stoned, G2228 or G1002 [2an arrow G2700 1shot with].
21 G2532 And G3779 so G5398 fearful G1510.7.3 was G3588 the G5324 visible display, G* Moses G2036 said, G1630 I am frightened G1510.2.1 G2532 and G1790 trembling.
The section here points to the Exodus generation when they were in the wilderness and were called to meet with Yahweh Elohim, but they became scared instead.
Exo 19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
Exo 19:11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
Exo 19:17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
Exo 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
Exo 19:19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.
Exo 19:20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.
Exo 19:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.
Exo 19:22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.
Exo 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
Exo 20:19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
Exo 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Exo 20:21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
This is why the Feast of Trumpets is celebrated, as a remembrance of the day when Yahweh came to speak to Israel. It is also a correlation to the harpazo. This is what the writer here is alluding to.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/05/holy-convocation-month-of-immortalities.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2020/06/eternal-memorial-for-just-347-seats-and.html
Hebrews 12:22 G235 But G4334 you have come forward G* to mount Zion, G3735 G2532 and G4172 the city G2316 of the living God, G2198 G* heavenly Jerusalem; G2032 G2532 and G3461 to myriads G32 of angels,
23 G3831 to the festival G2532 and G1577 to the assembly G4416 of the first-born G1722 [2in G3772 3 the heavens G583 1having been registered], G2532 and G2923 to God the judge G2316 G3956 of all, G2532 and G4151 to spirits G1342 of the righteous G5048 having been perfected,
24 G2532 and G1242 [4covenant G3501 3of a new G3316 2 the mediator G* 1Jesus], G2532 and G129 to the blood G4473 of sprinkling, G2908 [2better G2980 1speaking] G3844 than G3588 the one G* of Abel.
The writer is explaining to the Pharisees and to all those who follow the Pharisaical religious system that they are invited to the heavily assembly, which is mediated by Jesus. Abel’s blood cried for vengeance, but Jesus’ blood cries for reconciliation.
Hebrews 12:25 G991 Take heed G3361 that you should not G3868 refuse G3588 the one G2980 speaking! G1487 For if G1063 G1565 those G3756 did not G5343 flee escaping, G3588 [2the one G1909 4upon G1093 5earth G3868 1refusing G5537 3receiving a divine message], G4183 how much G3123 more G1473 we G3588 the ones G3588 [2the one G575 3from G3772 4heavens G654 1turning away],
The idea is that if the Israelites who were called ended up in captivity because they refused to listen to Yahweh Elohim, then we should not think that we can refuse to listen to him without consequences. The Exodus generation heard the ten commands from Yahweh, they saw miracles in the wilderness on the way to Sinai. Yet that generation rejected Him. What about us? Can we reject Jesus Christ without consequence? No we cannot. The consequence is either going to hell, or living through the tribulation and then going to hell.
The Pharisees believed that by one’s sins they either went to heaven or hell. They strove to be righteous. Yet what the blood of bulls and goats could not do was to cleanse them once for all time. Jesus’ blood did that. Now Jesus made a way into heaven for anyone who wanted it, via harpazo. The Pharisees believed that they would be the only ones in heaven, so this is a problem for their religious pride. Jesus pointed out all their corruption; such as the time when he was teaching in the outer courts and the Pharisees threw the woman at Jesus’ feet claiming that she was an adulterer. Jesus simply asked whoever had not been with her to throw the first stone. The women was a temple prostitute who resided in the booths of the prostitutes. Jesus wasn’t supposed to know about what they were doing because he was not allowed to go into those parts of the temple compound. They thought they could trick Jesus, but instead they were humiliated when he exposed their sins.
Today we have religious leaders who are adulterers, but they preach abstinence and fidelity to their congregations. While they sexually sin they accuse the laity of doing the same. There are some religious leaders who openly advocate for polygamy and mistresses, yet the apostle Paul said something different for religious leaders. In any case, there are many good people who go along with these crazy leaders, giving them money, and hoping these false mediators will drop a crumb or two of special secret knowledge for them to feed on.
1 Timothy 2:5 G1520 For there is one G1063 G2316 God, G1520 and one G2532 G3316 mediator G2316 of God G2532 and G444 of men -- G444 the man G5547 Christ G* Jesus;
6 G3588 the one G1325 giving G1438 himself G487 a ransom G5228 for G3956 all, G3588 the G3142 testimony to be rendered G2540 [2times G2398 1in its own];
The evidence (testimony) of Jesus being our ransom comes at the right time. What time is that? Jesus calls his ransomed out from Paradise and from the earth at the harpazo, but he reveals himself to the unbelievers when he returns on the Day of the Lord. There is no longer a requirement for a religious leader to make a sacrifice for us. There is no longer a requirement for a religious leader to interpret scripture or prophecies, telling us what the Elohim is saying. There is no longer a requirement for a religious leader to be our overlords, Jesus is the one we go to. This is a new age, a new way of doing things called the administration of grace.
Ephesians 3:2 G1489 if indeed G191 you heard G3588 the G3622 administration G3588 of the G5484 favor G3588 G2316 of God G3588 G1325 having been given G1473 to me G1519 towards G1473 you,
3622 LSJ Gloss:οἰκονομία the management of a household
Dodson:οἰκονομία stewardship management of household affairs, stewardship, administration.
TBESG:οἰκονομία management
G:N-F
οἰκονομία, -ας, ἡ
(< οἰκονομέω), [in LXX:
Thayer:
1) the management of a household or of household affairs
1a) specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of other's property
1b) the office of a manager or overseer, stewardship
1c) administration, dispensation
οἰκονομία
oikonomia oy-kon-om-ee'-ah From G3623; administration (of a household or estate); specifically a (religious) “economy” KJV Usage: dispensation, stewardship.
Paul received the management of grace/favor. This in itself is a problem for the Pharisees. No one had grace or favor under the Pharisees rule, except the Pharisees who granted it to themselves. People were berated for sins. Everything was looked at through the eyes of right or wrong. The administration of grace is not about right and wrong, it is about Jesus, the mediator.
A ministry that had teachings for “basic life principals”, to which the ministry itself pressed sin consciousness, was popular at one time. As restrictive as its teachings were, the founder ended up being accused of adultery and the rape of over thirty women. Unfortunately the seminar has been linked to the distortion of Jesus in the mind of at least one mass murderer. In an abusive religious ministry which sets itself up as the mediator, the institution itself has far more money and resources than the laity. The laity is always out lawyered.
Like the Pharisees, the more one pushes sin consciousness, Satanas finds a way to sneak it into the lives of that preacher. Or could it be that Satanas is pushing people to focus on sin, which is an opening of sin in and of itself. Then that one falls into sins on his/her own. It seems that the splinter in someone else’s eye is more noticeable than the log in our own eye. Jesus is the mediator, not men. How many preachers have counseled others on the very things that they fall into? We need to recognize who the false mediators are.
We live under a new administration, one that has a mystery. The angels and other sons of God were not privy to this mystery. The mystery was not made known to the prophets of old either. Paul explains that it has now been made known to the apostles and the prophets of his day.
Ephesians 3:3 G3754 that G2596 by G602 revelation G1107 he made known G1473 to me G3588 the G3466 mystery G2531 (as G4270 I wrote beforehand G1722 a little, G3641
4 G4314 to G3739 which G1410 you are able G314 reading G3539 to comprehend G3588 G4907 my understanding G1473 G1722 in G3588 the G3466 mystery G3588 of the G5547 Christ),
5 G3739 which G1722 unto G2087 other G1074 generations G3756 was not G1107 made known G3588 to the G5207 sons G3588 G444 of men, G5613 as G3568 now G601 it was revealed G3588 to G39 [2holy G652 3apostles G1473 1his] G2532 and G4396 prophets G1722 in G4151 spirit;
6 G1510.1 [3to be G3588 1for the G1484 2nations] G4789 joint-heirs, G2532 and G4954 joint-bodies, G2532 and G4830 joint-partners, G3588 G1860 of his promise G1473 G1722 in G3588 the G5547 Christ G1223 through G3588 the G2098 good news…
Ephesians 3:9 G2532 and G5461 to enlighten G3956 all G5100 as to what is G3588 the G2842 fellowship G3588 of the G3466 mystery G3588 of the G613 thing being concealed G575 from G3588 the G165 eons G1722 by G3588 G2316 God, G3588 to the one G3588 [2all things G3956 G2936 1having created] G1223 through G* Jesus G5547 Christ,
10 G2443 that G1107 should be made known G3568 now G3588 to the G746 sovereignties G2532 and G3588 to the G1849 authorities G1722 among G3588 the G2032 heavenlies G1223 through G3588 the G1577 assembly, G3588 the G4182 multifarious G4678 wisdom G3588 G2316 of God,
11 G2596 according to G4286 the intention G3588 of the G165 eons, G3739 which G4160 he made G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus G3588 G2962 our Lord; G1473
The mystery of this administration or this management is that the nations are now equal heirs, united together in one body, equally partaking in the promise of Christ. This is quite radical for a Pharisee. There was no equality among the nations where the Pharisees were concerned. There wasn’t even any equity among Jews due to the hierarchy that the Pharisees created. The fellowship or the partnership of the mystery is among all humans. Paul says that it is now made known to the heavenly sons of God. This was the plan of the ages. It is an inclusive gospel message, good news for everyone. It is not exclusive. The good news does not divide people by their sins but makes all who believe on Jesus as Lord, believing he rose up on the third day, partners together in the administration of grace and favor.
This creates a slight problem among the laity. The laity has been conditioned to simply obey their religious leaders. The laity now has a responsibility to grow up and think independently, and know that there is no one else between Jesus and themselves, they are without any other mediator. The laity is required to approach Jesus, each one, individually, without a human mediator. There is no longer any excuse for the laity to dismiss personal responsibility and claim that it is a leaders fault. It is a scary thing to hear people say, “my pastor told me who to vote for” or “my preacher told me to do ___ for six months”. The pastors, preachers, reverends, and ministers do not make absolution for the saints, they are no longer mediators.
Paul was outspoken regarding the decommissioning of the Pharisaical stronghold of laws that he seems to have written about the laws being completed and fulfilled a lot. The religious leaders hated him for it. Paul explains that the law was added for violations until the promised seed. The angels set the law in order via Moses. It is a contract between the Elohim and Israel.
Galatians 3:19 G5100 Why G3767 then G3588 the G3551 law? G3588 [3of the G3847 4violations G5484 2for favor G4369 1It was added], G891 until G3739 of which time G2064 [3should come G3588 1the G4690 2seed] G3739 to whom G1861 it has been promised; G1299 it was set in order G1223 by G32 messengers G1722 in G5495 the hand G3316 of a mediator.
20 G3588 But the G1161 G3316 mediator G1520 [3one G3756 2not G1510.2.3 1is]; G3588 G1161 but G2316 God G1520 is one. G1510.2.3
21 G3588 Then is the G3767 G3551 law G2596 against G3588 the G1860 promises G3588 G2316 of God? G3361 May it not be. G1096 G1487 For if G1063 G1325 [2was given G3551 1a law] G3588 G1410 being able G2227 to restore life, G3689 then really G302 [4then G1537 5of G3551 6law G1510.7.3 3was G3588 1the G1343 2righteousness].
Now think this through. There was a law delivered by Moses to help humans to be righteous. Had there been no one following the law then the Messiah would not have been born. The Messiah had to come as a human, therefore he needed human parents. Parents who lived a righteous life. Once the Messiah was birthed by the virgin, the Messiah could complete the law.
Galatians 3:22 G235 But G4788 [3consigned G3588 1the G1124 2scripture] G3588 the whole G3956 G5259 under G266 sin, G2443 that G3588 the G1860 promise G1537 of G4102 belief G* of Jesus G5547 Christ G1325 should be given G3588 to the ones G4100 trusting.
23 G4253 [2before G3588 G1161 1But G2064 5coming G3588 3the G4102 4belief], G5259 [2by G3551 3law G5432 1we were guarded], G4788 having been consigned G1519 to G3588 the G3195 about to be G4102 [2belief G601 1uncovering].
24 G5620 So that G3588 the G3551 law G3807 [2our instructor G1473 G1096 1has become] G1519 up to G5547 Christ, G2443 that G1537 [2of G4102 3belief G1344 1we should be justified].
The law was an instructor or guide to Christ. Now that the Messiah has come, people are made righteous by their faith. During the years of the law and the prophets people had faith that the Messiah would come. Many people lived a righteous life, with the faith that the Messiah was on the way.
Galatians 3:25 G2064 [4having come G1161 1But G3588 2of the G4102 3belief], G3765 no longer G5259 [2under G3807 3an instructor G1510.2.4 1are we];
26 G3956 [3all G1063 1for G5207 4sons G2316 5of God G1510.2.5 2you are] G1223 through G3588 the G4102 belief G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus.
Now that Christ completed the law and was the completion and fulfillment of the law, we live by faith, the faith that he came. The law led people up to the faith of His coming. Now we look backward, and have faith that he came to earth as the completion of the law. He fulfilled the laws and the prophets.
Galatians 3:27 G3745 For as many as G1063 G907 were immersed G5547 [2Christ G1746 1put on].
28 G3756 There is not G1762 G* Jew G3761 nor G* Greek; G3756 there is not G1762 G1401 bondman G3761 nor G1658 free; G3756 there is not G1762 G730 male G2532 and G2338 female; G3956 [4all G1063 1for G1473 2you G1520 5one G1510.2.5 3are] G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus.
29 G1487 And if G1161 G1473 you G5547 are of Christ, G686 then G3588 [2of the G* 4of Abraham G4690 3seed G1510.2.5 1you are], G2532 and G2596 [2according to G1860 3promise G2818 1heirs].
Now if people are baptized in Christ then they all become one community, one family, and all are equitable and equal in Christ. There is no caste system, there is no hierarchy. We become the seed of Abraham by faith. Abraham did no live under any laws or commands. The laws did not apply to him in his day. Abraham lived righteously in a relationship without a mediator between him and Yahweh Elohim. Yahweh Elohim walked with Abraham as a friend. Abraham had faith that the Messiah would come to earth for his seed, and he had faith that he himself would be the father of many nations. Now Jesus Christ makes us one Body of Christ, one family.
The Pharisees would not be the religious leaders of all nations. The nations are now joint heirs, joint bodies, and joint partners. The Pharisees are no longer needed. Anyone who establishes themselves as a go-between for the laity and the Elohim is a fake mediator. There are no longer any mediators, except for Jesus Christ. This new administration was determined before the ages. The law was an instructor for righteousness until the Messiah came. Now that the Messiah has come, there is responsibility for the laity to approach Him. Religious leaders do not give absolution for sins. We can confess our sins one to another but ultimately the religious leader does not clean peoples’ sin slate, no matter how many “Hail Mary’s” or “Our Father’s” one repeats. We are all going to the new Zion the city of the Living God, we are not graded according to sin. The hinge point is belief in Jesus as Lord and Christ and that he rose up on the third day. Then we are heirs of Abraham.
The sin conscious religious leaders created a self serving system on the back of the laity. While it is important to pay the utilities in the building that the church meets in, does the pastor really need to wear a million dollars of jewelry to preach? Shouldn’t all the church books be open for public scrutiny? Instead of viewing the pay stubs of the laity and keeping records of their tithing, shouldn’t the laity be viewing the pay stubs of the church leaders, and keeping records of their tithing? It is time for the laity to be educated. The laity doesn’t need a mediator, or a sacrifice for their sins, they simply need Jesus. This is the Messiah’s Covenant.
