The Eternal High Priest
Scripture reading for October 22: Hebrews 7
“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but He holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people, since He did this once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priest, but the Word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son Who has been made perfect forever.” Hebrews 7:23-28
Most of us are not Jews and have not lived under the law and priesthood. The Bible records the story of the priesthood and the position of high priest in the Bible. Aaron, the brother of Moses and a Levite was appointed by God as the first high priest. God appointed the priesthood as an aid to His people in having a relationship with Him and as a way that He could dwell with His people. There were many high priests as they were also sinners and suffered death. As they offered sacrifices for the people, they also sacrificed for their own sins as well. In their weakness, they had to make sacrifices year after year.
But Jesus was not a Levite, but was of the tribe of Judah. He was the Son of God and humbled Himself to come identify with lost sinners by becoming a man. He suffered temptations as we did, but was without sin. According to God’s loving plan, He offered His own body and blood as the final, once for all, sacrifice to God on behalf of sinners. God declared on an oath, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a Priest forever.'” (Psalm 110:4)(Hebrews 7:17,21) Jesus is the perfect High Priest, as He lives eternally and is able to make intercession for all who come to Him throughout history. He alone is holy and unstained by sin. He is separated from sinners and exalted to God’s right hand above the heavens.
Do you feel like you need an intermediary like a priest who could stand before the Holy Father on your behalf? Can you now list some things that make Jesus the only High Priest that we need?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your appointment of Jesus Christ, Your Son, as our High Priest eternally. I am comforted to know that Jesus knows my every weakness and temptation and willingly intercedes for me. Use me to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and High Priest to those needing a Savior. Amen.
Our Hope is like an Anchor
Scripture reading for October 21: Hebrews 6
“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:17-20
God is not a man that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19) God’s Word is Truth. (John 17:17) What He has said, He will do. God told Jeremiah that He was watching over His Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12) God made the promises of His Word and His guarantee was Who He was. But God also swore by an oath to keep His Word. These two truths are by God’s design to give us strong encouragement and hope. Hope is the expectation of good things promised. When God promises and swears by Himself to bless His people, we simply say ‘amen’ and patiently wait for the promise to be fulfilled.
Biblical ‘hope’ is not a conditional thing like we use the word in our culture. Biblical hope is confidence inspired by faith in the One Who makes the promises. Our confidence is not in our ability to make the promise happen but that God will fulfill His promises fully and completely. The writer of Hebrews likens this ‘hope’ to the anchor of a ship. If the anchor is attached to something strong, the ship will stay where it is anchored. As believers, our anchor of biblical hope is attached to the very throne of God where Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is seated to hear our cries and prayers and answer. He is there on our behalf and is our “Guarantee” by His eternal priesthood of the order of Melchizedek.
Has anyone ever made you a promise that they did not keep? Do you find yourself doubting the promises God has made of forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life adoption into God’s family? Would you say that you have found the hope in Jesus spoken of that is an anchor for your soul?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me biblical hope as an anchor for my soul in these troubling times. Your Word anchors me in truth. I believe Your promises and await my inheritance. I cry out to Jesus Christ, my High Priest when temptations or troubles come threating my peace. Amen!
The Suffering Son and Salvation
Scripture reading for October 20: Hebrew 5
“So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him Who said to Him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten You”; as He says also in another place, “You are a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him Who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, being designated by God a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:5-10
God appointed His Son, Jesus Christ as the High Priest through divine declaration. Normally the high priest in Israel would have to come from the line of Aaron, who was a Levite. Jesus was to be a high priest from the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was a mysterious Old Testament priest of Salem (Jerusalem) who met Abraham with a meal and a blessing. Melchizedek had not received his priesthood from any relative nor does he pass his priesthood on to a relative. He is the lone priest of this line with no record of his beginning or ending. Like Melchizedek, Jesus Christ is from everlasting to everlasting. He is a unique Priest appointed by God, His Father to an eternal priesthood.
Jesus knew suffering and in His suffering, He called out to God in humble obedience. The writer of Hebrews declares that Jesus, our High Priest learned obedience by His suffering. This suffering was planned by the Father and Son and obediently carried out. Jesus was made perfect through suffering. He did not sin or rebel against the Word of His Father. Death could not hold Him because He had no sin. He was raised from death to intercede for all who would believe. All who now trust and obey Him find that He is the source of eternal salvation. Jesus is the final High Priest needed because He lives forever to intercede for those who depend on Him.
Have you ever thought that if you could have a pain-free life, you would be happy? Does it shock you to find out that Jesus Christ cried out to His Father with tears and anguish for salvation from death? How did this suffering equip Jesus to fulfil His greatest desire to see lost sinners saved from eternal death?
Prayer: Father God, I am humbled to know of the suffering of Jesus Christ, Your Son, on my behalf. It is amazing that suffering in Your Will can produce obedience leading to exaltation. Thank You for a High Priest Who lives forever and hears my crying and tears and understands my temptations. Amen.
God’s Surgery Scalpel
Scripture reading for October 17: Hebrews 4
“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:9-13
God knows all things and sees all things. God’s Word was used to create all things and now sustains all things. God’s people are called to trust God’s eternal Word and rest in the Truth He has declared. We cannot add to God’s Word or His work. We cannot work to earn our place in His family, we can only rest in His works on our behalf. Faith chooses to rest and say “amen” to what God’s Word declares.
God knows each of us as if we stood naked before Him. His Word is active and alive in each person’s life. That is why we should humbly listen to what God has said. His Word is alive with His life and can bring us His life in the form of new birth and adoption into His eternal family. His Word can pierce deeply inside of us and do the surgery that is necessary. It can cut out the old heart that is dead in trespasses and sins and install a new heart that enables us to do His will. It can discern the thoughts and intentions of our hearts when the true intentions may be hidden by us or from us. By faith we invite God’s Word to do surgery on our thoughts, motives, and actions of our body. As we rest in His eternal Word, we can have assurance of His seeing our heart of faith and being pleased when we are called to give an account.
Have you ever had God do a deep probe into your heart and expose hidden thoughts or motives? Have you ever tried to hide something from God or yourself? Are you ready right now to give an account before Jesus should He come?
Prayer: Father God, thank you for expanding my world view to better allow God’s Word to do surgery on me. Although I think I am open before You and transparent, bring any hidden thing needing attention to light. Help me to live each day in the Sabbath rest that Your people are called to enjoy daily. Amen.
Watch out for unbelief!
Scripture reading for October 16: Hebrews 3
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is written, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:12-19
God had the prophets and apostles write down the story of His redemption and work to bring His people into full salvation and an inheritance. The story of God’s people being delivered by Moses from slavery in Egypt was recorded by Moses and retold by the psalmist in Psalm 95 and by Paul as examples for us. (1 Corinthians 10:6-12) Their journey from Egypt to the promised land should have taken a short time, but His people would not listen to God’s direction and instruction. They suffered from the sin of ‘unbelief.’ It is not that they did not hear, but that they chose to ignore and suppress God’s Word. This brought consequences that cost them their lives and a delay in obtaining what God had promised. It took forty years for the older generation to die in the wilderness. What they had feared came upon them!
Now the writer of Hebrews exhorted Jewish believers in Jesus to watch out for the evil and sin of unbelief in their own lives. “Today” was the only day promised to us and we must use the present to live by faith and trust in God’s Word. We must not complain or rebel against God’s Word. We must watch over each other and encourage one another to stand firm. If this sin of unbelief takes root, it causes hard hearts and affects others who are believers. The end result is failure to enter into God’s promised rest of eternal life in His presence. It can lead to eternal separation from God.
Have you ever heard God speak to you concerning something in your life needing attention? Are you the type of person who readily obeys or do you procrastinate? Do you have strong believers or pastoral guides that give you strong encouragement and warning when needed?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Scripture and the stories You recorded as examples for us. They are a source of encouragement to me. Thank you for your church and those who watch over me daily and give me the full counsel of Your Word. Use me daily to watch over my family and Your people. Amen.
Jesus our Merciful High Priest
Scripture reading for October 15: Hebrews 2
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that He helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18
The writer of Hebrews sought to help Jewish believers understand Jesus Christ as the perfect High Priest. In the Old Testament, the high priest of Israel was appointed by God to come from the tribe of Levi. He was a man who was also a sinner. He had to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as the sins of the people. He approached the Holy of Holies once a year with a blood sacrifice for himself and the people on the Day of Atonement. Even he lived in a holy fear of God’s judgment while appealing to God for mercy. This high priest was a shadow of God’s ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ, as God’s Son, became a human being with flesh and blood like all His brothers. Jesus Christ was from the tribe of Judah through his earthly mother. Jesus Christ suffered temptations during His life on earth just like His brothers but Jesus Christ never gave in to those temptations. He overcame through dependence on God and the Holy Spirit in humble obedience and with the goal of serving all His brothers through bearing their sins and paying their penalty in His death. Through His perfect obedience through suffering temptation, He was appointed by God as High Priest to represent the people. Through His suffering, He is able to identify with all sinners and help deliver those who turn to Him in repentance and faith from slavery to the fear of death and eternal punishment
Have you ever been tormented by a fear of dying or death? Have you considered Jesus Christ as someone Who can identify with you in your temptations, sin and tormenting fears? What does it mean that Jesus suffered temptation in every way like us and yet He made propitiation (covering) for our sins?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to earth as a human man to experience temptations like us. Thank You for Your mercy and His great mercy towards me through the cross and shedding of Jesus’ blood. Through Jesus I will come boldly to Your throne for grace in my needs. Amen.
God’s final Word from Heaven!
Scripture reading for October 14: Hebrews 1
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed Heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the Name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:1-4
When it comes to God speaking to His people, God has been speaking from way before our own existence. In fact, this passage declares that God has spoken many times and in many ways to our ancestors through prophets. Prophets were people of faith in God who God moved on to speak and write out what God was saying. (2 Peter 1:21) God used prophets because sinful man had lost his ability to hear God directly. They needed an intermediary to relay what God has said and God sent those made in His image to speak prophetically and even act out God’s message in illustrated form.
But the writer of Hebrews declares that God has spoken to us all by a final Word in these last days. God sent His own Son, born of woman, to relay His final message of love and mercy and forgiveness. This Son, Jesus Christ, was the One Who created the world out of nothing by His powerful Word. Jesus was the ‘exact representation’ of the Father in that He totally obeyed His Father, doing only what the Father did and saying only what the Father said. (John 5:19-21) This Son was sent to mankind in the form of a human being, identifying with us in all ways, but without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He offered His own body and blood as a payment for human sin, dying on the cross of Calvary. He rose again in victory over death and hell, and is seated at God’s right hand. His Name is above every name and His Word is forever settled in heaven. (Philippians 2:9-11)
Have you ever felt that God spoke to you? Have you considered Jesus Christ as God the Father’s final Word from heaven? How would this world view change your life if you decided to believe that Jesus is God’s final message?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ as the final message to us from heaven. I hear You speaking to me through Him! I place my trust in Jesus Christ and receive purification for my sins through faith to receive the gift of Your grace. Use me to share this Good News with those who have not yet heard this final Word of mercy and love. Amen.
Slave is now a beloved brother!
Scripture reading for October 13: Philemon
“Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you–I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus-I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the Gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother– . .” Philemon 8-16
This short letter of Paul to a friend, Philemon, has some beautiful insights into how Paul’s world view as a pastor and apostle shaped his attitude and thinking. Philemon was a believer who had offered Paul and the church in Colossae a meeting place in his home. Philemon had been a slave owner. His slave, Onesimus, had escaped him and was imprisoned with Paul in Rome. There, God used Paul to share the Gospel and Onesimus received salvation and became a ‘child’ to Paul and Paul now commended him back to Philemon as ‘a beloved brother.’
Paul could have used his authority as an Apostle to command Philemon to take Onesimus back and not punish him. But Paul, imprisoned and old, appealed to Philemon to do what was right and expressed confidence that Philemon would do what was right. Paul would have like to have Onesimus minister to him while he was in prison, but he sent him back because issues must be cleared up. Each one must act from their hearts and in obedience to the Holy Spirit. This reflects God’s heart of kindness and His respect for each person and their free will to choose. Love and kindness must be freely given.
Are you concerned or offended that this letter deals with a slave and a master? Is God more concerned with our heart attitudes and obedience than with our cultural circumstances such as being a slave or a master? How is God’s heart of kindness and goodness being demonstrated here by Paul?
Prayer: Father God, thank you for Your love and kindness to each person, slave or master or apostle. Help me to reflect Your heart of love and kindness in every relationship and situation. Forgive me when I have been judgmental or pushy towards others, disrespecting their personhood. Help me to appeal to others to do what is right. Amen.
Saved by Christ’s mercy!
Scripture reading for October 10: Titus 3
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:1-7
Sound doctrine from God’s Word clearly states that no man is saved by his ‘good works’ or can do anything to earn salvation. It is God’s goodness and kindness revealed to us through Jesus Christ that draws us to repentance and faith that Jesus can and will forgive us and cleanse us. Christ’s work on the cross for us is our only hope of redemption and washing of our guilt and sin. Upon repentance, Christ sends His Holy Spirit as a gift of Grace to indwell us. We are born again and sealed by the Holy Spirit and adopted into God’s family. God’s Grace is richly poured out on us and we are justified and made righteous in God’s sight. Through adoption, we are made heirs and joint heirs with Christ of eternal life in God’s forever family.
Paul stated that believers should be submissive to rulers and authorities and obedient. They were to be ready for every good work. These works were not done to earn us salvation, but as a response to God’s love and goodness. The Holy Spirit in regeneration changes our dispositions to be gentle, courteous, avoid quarrelling or speaking evil of others, and to live self-controlled lives that focus on doing God’s will and obeying His Word. Good works are a supernatural response to the infilling of the Holy Spirit abiding in us. Oh how we need to apply these truths in our lives today!
Do you struggle with trying to earn your salvation by living a perfect life and doing good works? Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to indwell you and do a work of renewal and transformation? Are you secure in the hope of eternal life and your adoption into God’s family through new birth?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Gift of Your Holy Spirit that is renewing me day by day into Christ’s image. Help me to follow You in doing the good works that You have prepared for me. Let the Gospel of Grace through faith in Jesus Christ be clearly presented by my teaching, preaching, and daily life. Amen.
Grace instructs God’s people!
Scripture reading for October 9: Titus 2
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” Titus 2:11-15
Paul declared to Titus how God’s grace had appeared and made salvation available to all men and women. The culture of Crete where Titus was ministering was lazy and self-indulgent. God’s grace through Jesus Christ was at work saving lost people and transforming them into godly saints. Paul had explained how God’s grace should work in the older men and women. They were now learning through godly instruction how to live lives of self-control and integrity. The women were learning to be active in keeping a loving home and caring for children and supporting their husbands. The younger men and women were being trained by the example of the older and by sound training in sound doctrine.
Loving God and receiving forgiveness of sins has practical daily fruit that expresses itself by transformed lives. The vision of a loving Savior coming again to receive us offers more incentive to be living by His Word and daily receiving grace to avoid lawlessness and to be zealous for good works. God is at work and the Holy Spirit purifies our hearts and empowers us to be ready when Christ Jesus returns in glory for us. Christ’s return is our ‘blessed hope’ in that all God’s promises will come to fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
As you look at your life, what sort of things motivate you to make changes in living patterns to become more holy and godly? What expectation do you have of Jesus’ return in glory? Will He find you living a self-controlled and upright life and zealous for good works?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing grace appearing in the Person of Jesus Christ and revealed through the Gospel. Your grace has brought me redemption from my sins and is now at work in me through Your Holy Spirit teaching me how to live. Lead me today in good works and Gospel opportunities. Amen.