<\/p>\n
Hebrews 4:14-7:28<\/strong><\/span> God has promised us a place of eternal rest if we will simply have faith in his Son. His Son whom verse 14 today tells us: \u201cThat is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Are you clinging to Jesus as your High Priest? Do you trust Him?\u00a0 Are you longing for your eternal rest with Jesus?<\/span><\/p>\n Hebrews chapter 5 verse 10 today tells us this about Jesus: \u201cAnd God designated him to be a High Priest in the line of Melchizedek.\u201d <\/em>Who is Melchizedek? He first appeared in Scripture in Genesis 14:18-20: \u201cThen Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, \u201cBlessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.\u201d Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.\u201d<\/em> Melchizedek was clearly important, as Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And Christ is a \u201cHigh Priest in the line of Melchizedek.\u201d The thing to keep in mind is that most Bible scholars do not believe that Melchizedek was literally Christ. So, for us today, it\u2019s fine history to know. But, Christ is our High Priest, as this chapter of Hebrews makes clear.<\/span><\/p>\n Verses 11 \u2013 14 today are a great reminder that as Christians we must learn to become \u201cself-feeders.\u201d We can\u2019t rely only on pastors and teachers and mentors to provide us with spiritual nourishment. We must learn to grow our relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit through our own study and prayer as well. I submit that the One Year Bible is one great way to feed yourself spiritually daily!\u00a0 How else are you feeding yourself spiritually these days?<\/span><\/p>\n Hebrews Chapter 6 verse 1 definitely stood out today: \u201cSo let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don\u2019t need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.\u201d<\/em> I think sometimes we can get too caught up on the basics of Christianity and then never really grow in our faith.\u00a0 I do believe God is calling us first and foremost to come into relationship with Him through faith in his son Jesus.\u00a0 But, after that, let us grow!\u00a0 Let us no longer conform to our worldly ways and passions, even though we now have faith in Jesus.\u00a0 Let us become saints.\u00a0 Let us love and serve God, other people, and the poor more and more with each passing day.\u00a0 Let us go on and become mature in our understanding!\u00a0 Let us move forward from always being \u201cdisciples\u201d to becoming \u201capostles.\u201d\u00a0 How is your spiritual growth these days?\u00a0 Are you growing?\u00a0 Do you want to grow?<\/span><\/p>\n In verses 7 & 8 today we read: \u201cWhen the ground soaks up the rain that falls on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has the blessing of God. But if a field bears thistles and thorns, it is useless. The farmer will condemn that field and burn it.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Verse 18 is awesome: \u201cTherefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.\u201d<\/em> Have you fled to Jesus for refuge? Are you holding on to God\u2019s promise with confidence?<\/span><\/p>\n Hebrews Chapter 7 is fascinating!\u00a0 It\u2019s basically an argument for why Jesus is our High Priest today \u2013 even though he is not from the tribe of Levi \u2013 the tribe of priests.\u00a0 Instead, the author of Hebrews argues that Jesus is immortal and is a priest in the line of Melchizedek.\u00a0 Most commentators I have read have said that Jesus is not Melchizedek nor vice versa. Basically, the author is making the case for the New Covenant \u2013 New Testament \u2013 that the Levitical priesthood line is completed by Jesus who is instituting a new covenant with Jesus as our High Priest.\u00a0 We need no other.\u00a0 We can go directly to God through Jesus.\u00a0 Do you believe this?\u00a0 Do you practice this?\u00a0 Do you pray in Jesus\u2019 name?\u00a0 The name of our High Priest in heaven!<\/span><\/p>\n Hebrews chapter 7 verse 27 teaches us today: \u201cJesus does not need to offer sacrifices every day like the other high priests. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people.\u201d <\/em>I hadn\u2019t really thought a lot about this before.\u00a0 In the Old Testament the Levitical priests had to offer sacrifices first for their own sins \u2013 and then they would be clean \/ pure enough to offer sacrifices for others sins.\u00a0 The good news of course in the New Testament and in this chapter is that we now have the perfectly clean and pure High Priest of Jesus Christ \u2013 who does not need to purify himself first!\u00a0 He never sinned.\u00a0 Will you take your sins to Jesus, your High Priest?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video: <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings remind me of the Sidewalk Prophets song \u201cThe Words I Would Say:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n