The Worship Leader | Christ In The Cosmos, Church & CultureSample

Jesus our Worship Leader 

In Hebrews 8:2 the writer says this about Jesus; “We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister [λειτουργὸς-leitourgos] in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.” Jesus here is called a minister. In the Greek, this is the word leitourgos. It is derived from leitos, “belonging to the people,” and érgon, “work.” From similar roots we get the word liturgy. What is being stated here is that Jesus is the Worship Leader, the Pastor, the Minister, the Liturgist, and the worker on behalf of the cosmos. It is him who worked tirelessly in the Incarnation and is working restfully in his Ascended state for our benefit as sons and daughters.

The first time High Priest is used is in Genesis 14 when Abraham meets Melchizedek (whose name manes “king of righteousness”). Christ is thus called in Hebrews, “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek is not just any run-of-the-mill priest like Aaron, Eli, or any other temple servant. Melchizedek was a king-priest, whereas Aaron was only a priest. 

Christ is supreme in his leadership. By his sacrifice all are made “perfect.” Christ is perfectly hagios (Holy and set apart by virtue of standing) and hosios (Holy in character and innate purity). He is ordained as priest apart from the Law given on Mount Sinai, he offered himself for our sins, and his sacrifice is perfect “once for all.” 

The point? Well, first, we hope this spurs your curiosity in reading further into our book Reconsidering the Worship Leader & Liturgy, as we will build off the stated case above. Second, and most importantly, we want to demonstrate that no human being is capable of performing the work of Worship in the way of Jesus. He is in a heavenly temple not made of human hands, and his work on our behalf is perfect and exceptional. 

In today’s study meditate on all that Christ does in his work (his liturgy and rhythms). Spend time meditating on how exalted and unique his ministry is from ours, and allow our great leader, Jesus, to bring you into the Father’s presence.