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“Blood is thicker than water!” In most areas of the world, this saying or its equivalent simply means that family ties are stronger than all other ties. However, to the informed and faithful believer, there is a tie that is stronger than that of blood kinship. Mercy plays a significant role in these bonds even as we shall see in today's message, a subtopic of Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2.9-10; emphasis mine, jb).

Blood kinship and relations had meant almost everything in the Old Testament. After all, the promises were made to Abraham and to his seed (Genesis 12.1-3). For this and other connected reasons, the descendants of Abraham began keeping detailed genealogies. By faithfully keeping records of all maternal and paternal relationships, a Hebrew's kinship with Abraham (an hence the many blessings that might be connected with it) were documented and a matter of public record. Out of these meticulous records an eventual division of the land of Canaan was achieved among the tribes of Jacob (Abraham's grandson).

The priesthood was established on blood kinship. Only the sons of Levi could serve in and around the tabernacle, and then to further narrow this down, only those who descended from Aaron (Moses' brother) could serve at the altar as priests. This system of blood kin priesthood continued for approximately 1500 years (that's a millennium and a half!). So entrenched was it in the warp and woof of Israel's religious fabric, debased and depraved men were allowed and even encouraged to serve as the people's priest. In this case, blood was indeed thicker than water!

However, this system was destined to change; it was NEVER intended as a permanent system of worship or salvific rituals. When Jesus came as the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, He came as Prophet, Priest, and King ([ John 8.28, John 12.48-50], [ Hebrews 9.11-14, Hebrews 9.24-28], [ Acts 2.29-36, Colossians 1.13]). Like many of us today, the Jews of Jesus' day did not want to change. Their reluctance came from a variety of motives but many of them were self-centered and self-serving. Jesus plainly proclaimed His mission and confirmed His authenticity as a messenger of God by means of all sorts of signs, miracles, and wonders. Only those who willed themselves to be blind could not see the truth in Jesus' claims!

But a system came on the scene which made the Old Covenant old! Not old in the sense of age, but old in the sense of authority. There was a time when the Old Testament provided the final word in all things pertaining to the work and worship of one who believes in God. However, when Jesus ascended back to the heavens, the old system lost its power and it was replaced by the gospel system. Through this gospel system, one's bloodline has absolutely no bearing on one's standing with God (read Galatians 3.26-29). Further, the family of God is an adopted family. As such, they are “His special people.” They each have a status as a priest serving directly under Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. This relationship is one relationship that transcends all earthly ties (blood or water)!

Indeed as a people, we had not obtained mercy; it was totally outside the realm of possibility from a material viewpoint. However, God changed that by means of mercy; He granted mercy to a spiritual nation where a nation had never even existed. Once again, He is Mercy personified.

Questions:

1. Who was allowed to serve as priests under the Law of Moses?

2. Upon whose throne does Jesus now sit and reign (see Acts 2.29-36)?

3. What “credentials” does Jesus have to serve as our great High Priest?

4. How were believers at one time “not a people?” How did God make them “a people?”

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A World of One