Tag: blood of the covenant
Day 3–Equipping Blessing
Scripture reading for June 17: Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now may the God of peace Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
The writer of Hebrews closed his letter with a short prayer and blessing. This prayer confesses Jesus as Lord and our Great Shepherd. It humbly asks that through the blood of the eternal covenant Christ Jesus would equip us with everything we need to fulfill His will and that He would work into our character and life that which pleases Him. The blessing closes with a declaration of ascribed glory to Jesus Christ forever and ever!
This prayer and blessing is a good one for responders to declare daily over their lives. Let’s look at the Names of God mentioned in the blessing. First, ‘The God of peace” is acknowledged. Peace is one of the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit and peacemaking is one of the blessings taught by Jesus in yesterday’s devotion. (Matthew 5:9) Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be known as the ‘Prince of Peace’ in Isaiah 9:6. Jesus brings us peace through forgiveness of sins by His sacrifice of His body and blood on the cross. Now our resurrected Lord Jesus mediates our peace by prayer seated at the Father’s right hand. He equips us to become peacemakers and bless others, reflecting God’s nature.
Jesus is also our ‘Good Shepherd’ and here addressed as ‘the Great Shepherd of the sheep.’ Shepherds guide the sheep, leading them to safe pastures and streams of water. They give the sheep everything they need to follow and reproduce. Shepherds also protect the sheep from wolves and predators. The Great Shepherd provides everything we need to do His will and works His plans into our lives as His sheep. All good sheep can only give glory to Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd forever and ever!
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are made known to us as ‘the God of peace’ and our ‘Great Shepherd’ Who made with us an eternal covenant of peace through Jesus’ shed blood. I surrender to You to work in me what is pleasing in Your sight equipping me to do Your will. To You be glory forever! Amen.
Thankful for a clean conscience!
Scripture reading for November 9th: Hebrews 9:11-28
The priests under the old covenant were doing daily sacrifices of animals in the earthly tabernacle for the sins of men. Under the old covenant, the sacrifice of animal blood could cover the sins of men but could not really cleanse them from sin. The Law of God could reveal the sins of men, but could not remove that sin from them. But now a God-appointed High Priest was seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Jesus Christ had offered His own blood as the perfect sacrifice for all man’s sins, once for all.
Under the old covenant, the sacrifice of animal blood could cover the sins of men but could not really cleanse their consciences from sin. God has placed a conscience inside of man. A conscience is a basic understanding of what is right and what is wrong, a knowledge of good and evil. When we do wrong, our conscience brings conviction to us. When we respond properly to the conscience, we confess or take responsibility for the wrong that was done and ask God for forgiveness. We also should seek reconciliation with those wronged if possible. This process is call repentance.
As a Jew under the old covenant, sacrifices were laid out for sins committed in ignorance. All forgiveness before God must come through a blood sacrifice. “In the same way, he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The Jews were thus taught that their sins required the death of an innocent animal to bring about forgiveness before God.
“The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:13-14) Under the new covenant, we have a better sacrifice. The blood of Christ can actually cleanse our consciences and enable us to serve God without fear of death or punishment. Aren’t you thankful for the new covenant and a clean conscience!