High Priest Highest Bidder

Synopsis     2Maccabees 3:36-4:10     3/24/2021 

King Seleucus sent Heliodorus to Jerusalem to confiscate the temple treasury. However, angels intervened. So, he was unable to complete his task. And he left empty-handed. When he returned to the king, he testified about the divine power resident in Jerusalem. 

At this time, Onias was still the High Priest. For Jerusalem, he was the protector and benefactor. But, because of his enemies, he intended to appeal to King Seleucus to leave the temple treasury alone.  

Unfortunately, King Seleucus died. Afterward, King Antiochus took the throne.  

Antiochus auctioned the High Priest position to Jason, Onias’ brother in exchange for a large sum of money. Additionally, Jason promised to build a gymnasium in Jerusalem. He also promised to introduce Greek culture to the Jews.  

High Priest for a Price 

Jason traded the wealth of the temple in exchange for being named High Priest. What’s more, he committed to normalizing Greek culture in a way that threatened traditional Judaism. His barter injured the community for decades.  

Exchanging Life for the World 

Jesus once asked, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?” (Matt 16:26)   

How much more true is this for the person who uses religion as a way to gain worldly power or resources for their own benefit?  

“No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.” Heb 5:4