The One You Need

I was listening to this song through my headphones today while I was out working. So many emotions flooded my soul. I was brought to tears as I was thinking about my own role as a father examining myself in light of scripture. I also thought about other fathers who are going through some bad times right now and how it's affecting their ability to father their children. It was all too much at one time.

But here's what came to mind concerning myself. I was reminded how the author of the book of Hebrews makes the case concerning the weakness of a religious system where mere men interceded as priests on behalf of others. The weakness was that these priests were themselves sinners (as are all people). A priest is “beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people” (Hebrews 5:2-3) not to mention that “they were prevented by death from continuing in office” (7:23). Now you understand why the Bible says, “the [Mosaic] law appoints men in their weakness as high priests” (v. 28). It wasn't the system that was weak per se, but they who served in it.

You see, there is a sense in which a father serves his family as priest. The Bible tells us that “the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:7). Our families should look to us for these very things, but sadly we too are beset with our own sins. I'll spare you of the many ways I fail daily to exhibit Christlike character. 

So when the Shane and Shane song reached the chorus, “I wish that I could be your everything” what immediately followed in my head was “what a wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:24). The songs says, “Sometimes I'm gonna let you down,” and my conscience bore testimony, “I'm beset with weakness.”

Thankfully, the song is redemptive. We are just like the priests beset with their own sins and death ultimately prevents us from always being there for our daughters, we are to point them to Christ.

Point them to the Priest “who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 8:1) for “he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.” (Hebrews 7:24–28, NRSV)