David McLeod has written this journal article in large part in response to a number of writers who have charged that the present work of Christ has largely “been neglected” [1] by systematic theologians of the church today. In McLeod’s estimation such neglect would not be understood by the New Testament authors, as Christ’s present work was one of their most important themes in the New Testament. McLeod states that, “The purpose of this article is to examine the work of one of those authors, the epistle to the Hebrews, and to outline its contribution to the subject. ”[2] McLeod gives three reasons for his study.
First, no theme that was central to apostolic Christianity can be overlooked, second, added attention needs to be directed to earlier studies in Hebrews and finally, McLeod’s hope is that material covered in this article will aid those who teach and study the Bible to be more fully informed about the subject of the work of Christ in the Epistle to the Hebrews. Commencement of Christ’s Present Ministry With the purpose of this article being to examine the work of the New Testament author of Hebrews intent, and outline said New Testament’s author’s work regarding the work of Christ, McLeod does so two fold.
First, McLeod addresses the Commencement of Christ’s Present Ministry, and secondly the Activities of His Present Ministry. The commencement of Christ’s present ministry begins with His ascension which “is one of a series of events that marked the beginning of Christ’s present ministry. ”[3] With His ascension Christ entered into the sanctuary where He took up His place of honor in the holy of holies. This place of honor was at the right hand of the father, where Christ was exalted and rested from His completed work.
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It was at this point that Christ was installed as High Priest and given His present ministry. McLeod writes that, “The Son of God has obtained a more excellent ministry than that of the Levitical priests who served the earthly tabernacle (8:5-6).
”[4] ”The perfect tense suggests not only that Jesus obtained this ministry in the past but also that He still possesses it”. [5] Once Christ obtained His ministry, the text in Hebrews suggests that this ministry is still in Christ’s possession and that it continues.
Activities of Christ’s Present Ministry The activities of Christ’s present ministry are six fold. As the High Priest of mankind, one of Christ’s present ministries is to stand before God and represent those who have accepted His sacrifice. Representation can be thought of in McLeod’s opinion as Christ being “in the immediate presence of God”,[6] representing “sinners on the basis of a finished sacrifice whereby they have acceptance with God and are favorably regarded by Him. [7] Inauguration, the second of Christ’s activities is to provide a new and living way to commune with God that never grows obsolete. Intercession, is defined by McLeod as, “ the sympathetic appeals and petitions of the ascended, incarnate Son of God to God the Father (on the basis of a finished sacrifice) for the preservation, forgiveness, renovation, and bringing to glory of His people. ”[8] Mediation is the activity where Christ mediated His followers prayers and praise as well, being the medium for the power of God to be released upon His people.
Anticipation as defined by McLeod represents “that quiescent activity of Christ whereby He awaits His return (1:6; 9:28; 10:37), the defeat of His enemies (1:13; 10:13), and His rule as King (1:8-9) over the world to come (2:5).
”[9] Benediction is the final of the six activities outlined by McLeod. McLeod denotes that Benediction is “Christ’s work of benediction in Hebrews, His future return to His people from His heavenly sanctuary and the fulfillment of the promise”[10] Critical Evaluation
The Essay on The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
There is no other Christian devotional book that has been deemed truly inspiring by both devout and ordinary Christians for so many generations than the Imitation of Christ. The book was revered by both Catholics and Protestants and was, at times, considered an indispensable resource for those who want to follow the life and works of Christ. No wonder, many saints have made the Imitation one of ...
McLeod’s argument is centered on the claim that today’s church and systematic theologian’s attention to the present work of Christ has largely “been neglected”. [11]McLeod’s aim is to examine the book of Hebrews and by doing so reiterate the importance that no theme of the apostolic writings should be neglected; he also wishes to draw further attention to the book of Hebrews and its estimation of the present work of Christ.
McLeod’s division in this article outlines the commencement of Christ’s Present Ministry, and secondly the Activities of His Present Ministry. McLeod makes a sound argument for the commencement of Christ’s present ministry. Touching on the end of His earthly ministry, with His ascension, and His installment as High Priest in the holy of holies. McLeod’s evaluation of Christ’s present ministry is just as compelling and does well in addressing the many scholarly views pertaining to the present ministry of Christ.
McLeod states that, “The author of Hebrews wrote of a number of activities presently being performed by Christ as High Priest. Scholars differ over the number of distinct activities and their nature. ”[12] In regard to intercession McLeod brings the reader through many views that are held in regard to the present ministry of Christ and seems to amplify that this present ministry of Christ is of the utmost importance to grasp and understand. Conclusion
Overall, McLeod has successfully accomplished of his goal of bringing added attention to the present work of Christ and outline the timeline of when His present ministry began. His arguments are sound and thorough, leaving little to question. While reading this article the reader will be brought methodically and precisely through the work of Christ’s present ministry, and in so doing accomplish the goal of the author to provide material that will aid and instruct Bible students who teach and write on Christology.
