It was the right time for Jesus to challenge priesthood

The old-timers would say, “make hay while the sun shines” or “strike while the iron is hot”, which points to the importance of not wasting time, but instead making the most of time.

That is so important, for there often comes a time when there is a change of leadership.

In most cases times and seasons come together, because when it is time for one person to end his or her season of leadership, it is also time for a newer person to begin his or her reign as leader.

The newer, more savvy, and fresher mind of the up-and-coming leader is likely to implement change; it could be that the same change was in the heart of the former leader, but it was not his or her season to make the change.

That was also true if you look at the priesthood. There was the appearance of the new, more savvy, and more appealing ministry of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was not a carbon copy of the existing priesthood.

No, He did things differently. Jesus burst on the scene teaching wherever He found someone who would listen, while the priests of the day carried out their duties in the temple. Jesus was inclusive, welcoming in the Samaritans and all Gentiles, while the priests catered to Jews only.

The priests of the day taught from the scrolls of Moses and other laws, while Jesus taught in parables. Perhaps now you can understand why the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees had nothing for Jesus.

For centuries, they had controlled the lives and the religion of the people and suddenly those people were turning from Judaism to Christianity.

The Jews were denouncing the legacy of the priesthood for the eternal truth they heard from the mouth of Jesus.

There was a definitive gap between the priesthood and Jesus. Every moment that the priests had in the presence of Jesus, the priests attempted to bring accusation and shame to the ministry of Jesus.

They especially tried to condemn Jesus whenever they felt He was not keeping to the letter of the law.

Jesus told the people that He had not come to break the law but to fulfil it. However, the priests saw nothing wrong or lacking with their current state.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” (Matthew 5:17.)

What a shame when people refuse to upgrade. Whether it is concerning a business, a school, or a church, there is always room for improvement.

It must always be understood that the change taking place is done to the benefit of all.

If that is not understood or accepted, the institution will experience a fracture of great magnitude.

The division between Jesus and the priests was real. Yet, that did not stop the gospel message of salvation from spreading throughout the world.

That is the power of the message of Jesus, that even after the crucifixion, the attempt of the priests to silence the ministry did not work.

The never-dying and never-ending ministry of the priesthood of Jesus yet lives today, as you allow Jesus, the Light of the world, to shine through your lives.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16.)

As each of you live to do the good works as taught by Jesus, you continue to allow the gospel of Jesus to be shown to others.

The fresh, innovative, and cutting-edge ministry of Jesus is yet making impact on the lives of people in a positive way. Respice finem.

Dr. Maria A. Seaman is the Pastor of Shekinah Worship Centre.