And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts,and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

Hebrews 10:1-18

And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts,and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Hebrews 10:15-17

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 10:1-18  - the author of Hebrews keeps building on this theme of Jesus is better as He does what the animal sacrifices could not do with the first covenant - He offers forgiveness of sins and eternal life.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus is better than the Old Testament as it pointed to Christ - the text today shares how Jesus quoted Psalm 40:6 where he says that His desire is not for animal sacrifice but for our hearts to love Him.  Vv12-13 Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God, waiting for end times to finally defeat His enemies, including Satan.  Just as He does in Hebrews 8, Jesus quotes Jeremiah 31 and shares in vv15-17 that the "Holy Spirit also bears witness to [believers]" by first putting His Word in their hearts and writing on their minds.  Thus, the Holy Spirit serves to intercede and testify for us to God the Father to justify us and render us guiltless - able to be saved - how incredible!       
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv1-4, 8-9 demonstrate that the Old Testament sacrifices could not do what Jesus accomplished - to permanently offer forgiveness of sin. This reinforces a key part of the New Covenant through - that there is nothing any one of us can do to earn our salvation as Jesus has already done this.  We must therefore confess and surrender our lives to Him to be saved. V10,14 share how Christ not only saves us but He sanctifies us. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid thinking there is anything you can do to earn salvation.  Claim the promise of how the Holy Spirit testifies on our behalf and lives in our hearts and minds through the Word.  Confess with your tongue that Jesus is Lord and be saved! 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and testifies on our behalf and justifies us in Your eyes!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You testify on my behalf and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Christ…will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.

Hebrews 9

Christ…will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him. Hebrews 9:28

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 9  - the author of Hebrews builds on the theme of Jesus is better from previous chapters by describing how Jesus’ sacrifice ended the need for annual ritual washings and sacrifices for atonement of sin.    Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?:  V14: God saves as He is able to “purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”  V15: Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant of His shed blood, and this new covenant gives believers an eternal inheritance, providing victory over both sin and death. Jesus had to die to give us this inheritance because the inheritance only passes to the children (believers) upon instructions given in the will, and the will of the Father was for the Son to die such that we could receive the inheritance – vv16-17.  The animal blood sacrifices from the Old Testament were needed but only “copies of the heavenly things to be purified” and the death of Jesus represented the heavenly things by offering a better sacrifice (a spotless and final one) – vv18-23.  In contrast to the human high priest an man-made tabernacle, Jesus entered the Most Holy Place - heaven, through His final and perfect sacrifice – vv24-25.  With Jesus, it was no longer necessary for the human high priest to offer annual animal sacrifices – v26. Christ “will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him” – v28.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv8-9: The acts of man to save himself are empty as “gifts and sacrifices [that] are offered…cannot perfect the conscience of the worship.”  The tent erected by man during the Old Testament is also lesser than the temple of Jesus’ body – vv11-12.  We need a savior.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid trying to save yourself as there is nothing you can do to achieve salvation.  Claim the promise that the victory over sin and death is assured as an inheritance for believers and that at the end of times He will save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.  Follow the example of Christ who submitted to the will of the Father to receive the rich inheritance of Christ.  Confess your sin and surrender to Christ as Lord and Savior.  

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My Prayer: Father God, you are an awesome God who stands alone as able to save.  I am not deserving of such a gift of my salvation - the greatest gift of all time. My sin is great and it  continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.

Hebrews 8:1-13

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. Jeremiah 31:34b, Hebrews 8:12

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 8:1-13  - the author of Hebrews builds on Hebrews 7 - where the text discusses why Jesus is a better high priest - by describing how the new covenant through Christ's blood is a better covenant (than the first covenant).  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv1-2: Jesus is seated at the right hand of God in Heaven in a tabernacle not built by human hands.  V3: The sacrifice that Jesus offers is superior to those offered in the first covenant - it is perfect and final - and the those offered with the first covenant were only "a copy and shadow" of the things to come.  As such Jesus fulfilled prophecy.  Vv5-6: This new covenant is better because it "was enacted on better promises." Vv7-9: The first covenant required obedience to the law and God knew the people could not keep this covenant so He had already planned to send His Son and provide for the second covenant.  Vv10-13: With this new covenant, Jesus lives in our hearts and "all [believers] shall know" God as they have a personal relationship with Him.  This new covenant offers forgiveness in sins in a way that the first covenant could not because it required ongoing sacrifices.  With Jesus, the first covenant becomes obsolete and points to the end of times where heaven and earth are replaced with the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21).  VV8-12 quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We are all born prone to sin and everyone needs a Savior - Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:8.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid claiming your are without sin and don't need Jesus.  Claim the promises of Jesus and that Jesus is faithful to deliver on all of them.  See Jesus is not only better but better than anything else - He should be Your greatest treasure.  

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My Prayer: Father God, you are an awesome God and King of Kings who is faithful to deliver on all of Your promises.  I am not deserving of how You save and are faithful.  My sin is great and it  continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-5:11

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:15-16

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 4:14-5:11 - the author emphasizes how Jesus is a great high priest who is better than one from the Old Testament.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus is great high priest, and he became great high priest after coming down from Heaven to become the Incarnate Son of God, and then ascending back to Heaven after His death and resurrection to sit at the right hand of God (v14). Because of how Jesus "passed through the heavens" (v14), we can be certain and confident that our confession to Him saves us (v14) from sin and seals us for eternity.  This high priest - Jesus - is unlike the priests from the Old Testament, as He is able to sympathize with us in our temptations as He was tempted in every way but lived a perfect life (v15).  This gives us that confidence to approach Him in prayer when we need help (v16).  Jesus was called by God to be great high priest (5:1, 5). He is also perfect in obedience (5:8-9), and able to save. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In contrast to Jesus, Old Testament priests were sinful just as we are and had to offer sacrifices not just for our sin but also for his own (5:1-3).  Just as there was during the time when Hebrews was written, there will also be those who are "dull of hearing" (5:11) and deny Jesus. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid becoming dull of hearing and see Jesus as great high priest able to save.  Claim the promise of eternal life - that gives victory over sin and death - through faith in Jesus Christ.  Follow the example of those who confess and believe and be saved.  Approach Christ in confidence.   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who was tempted in all ways but lived a perfect life.  And then You suffered, died, and rose again, giving me - and anyone else who believes - victory over sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving - the greatest gift of all time. My sin is great and it continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous.

Ecclesiastes 8

There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. Ecclesiastes 8:14

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book. My focus this morning is Ecclesiastes 8 and how the takeaway of this text relates to the second division of the commentary for chapters 7-11: Sin Leads to Brokenness and Meaninglessness. V14 succinctly encapsulates the futility of life without God - regardless of what you do, apart from God sin persists.  Solomon is a product of the Old Testament and the ceremonial law that led people to believe that works (without a heart set on pleasing God) were pleasing to God.  The point of course is that Jesus Christ and His death on the cross ended the need for the ceremonial law and the sacrificial system as He died as the spotless lamb - the once and for all time perfect sacrifice for all of humanity's sin.  Solomon's futility pointed to the need for Jesus.  Hebrews 8 serves as a fantastic example from scripture that illustrates that what Jesus offers is infinitely better than covenant offered to Israel in the Old Testament.  God does not want animal sacrifices, He wants Your heart and life surrendered to Him.  See also Psalm 50:8; Hosea 6:6; Psalm 51:16; Psalm 40:6–8; Isaiah 1:11–31; Jeremiah 7:21–23; Hebrews 10:4–10.  Surrender and believe!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - saving me and pour out Your mercies ceaselessly. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and compassion and mercies.  My sin is great and it is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.          

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

Hebrews 8

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. Hebrews 8:1-2

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 12.  Here, John Piper unpacks Hebrews 8:1-2 where the author of Hebrews encourages believers to see how Jesus - particularly as we celebrate Christmas - replaces Old Testament ceremonial practices, shadows and prophecies of the coming Messiah.  Piper writes: "[t]he point of the book of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has not just come to fit into the earthly system of priestly ministry as the best and final human priest, but he has come to fulfill and put an end to that system, and to orient all our attention on himself, ministering for us first on Calvary as our final Sacrifice and then in heaven as our final Priest.  The Old Testament tabernacle and priests and sacrifices were shadows. Now the reality has come, and the shadows pass away."  Thank You Jesus for coming into the world so that You could save me from this world!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion.  You came into the world to save me and others from sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.    

And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

Hebrews 10

And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Hebrews 10:15-17

I resume my study of Hebrews, picking up with chapter 10. This morning my focus is Daniel 10:1-18 and my unaided observations of the text. Hebrews is written to Jewish believers in the church that still clung to the Old Testament, which of course they knew well as it contains Israel's journey as a chosen people, including its sinfulness, God's abounding grace and faithfulness to His covenant promise to Israel, and prophecies that pointed to Jesus.  The author of Hebrews seeks to encourage readers to see Jesus as supremely better than anything presented in the Old Testament, as the Great High Priest, as mediator for us on behalf of God, etc. In chapter 10, the author makes the case that Jesus is supremely better because He did away for the need for annual sacrifices to atone for sin.  The text right away makes the case in v4 where it says "[f]or it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."  The author then focuses readers on how God desires not ritual animal sacrifices but our heart as the Old Testament (multiple references) is quoted in v5-7. Jesus's sacrifice on the cross ended the need for such sacrifices. The Old Testament is quoted once again (Ezekiel and Jeremiah) in v16 where God gives His people a heart of flesh and writes His Word on our hearts.  For sure, Jesus is better!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great as You are faithful and You reign supreme.  You died once for me and for all of humanity as a spotless perfect sacrifice - so that those who believe in You have forgiveness of sin and eternal life - what an awesome gift!  Thank You! I am completely undeserving of such a gift.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 9

 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:25-26

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 9:23-28, as I lean on my commentary for the entirety of this text by way of introduction, and also a specific examination of the commentary for the first division - 9:23-26 which the commentary entitles "The Superlative Sacrifice of Christ." The commentary highlights the "sufficiency, singularity, and effectiveness of Christ’s sacrifice." Christ's sacrifice is described as better and superior to the sacrifices of the first covenant and Old Testament because as the commentary shares: "it is associated with heaven itself—the place of God’s very presence." The commentary wraps by then describing the "unprecedented" impact of Christ's sacrifice: it "dispenses sin, exiles it, places it under judgment, and ultimately defeats it."  The unprecedented nature of Christ's sacrifice is then described as being truly revolutionary for those reading Hebrews when originally written. The Jewish Christian readers at the time needed this book to help them see how Jesus is "better".

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who defeated sin and death and gave me an eternal inheritance - thank You Jesus for the victory You already won and give to me.  I am not deserving of such blessings and gifts.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 9

 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 9:23-28, and my initial unaided observations of this text. Here the author of Hebrews once again compares the Old Testament and first covenant, including the associated sacrifices required by the law, with the New Testament and new covenant. Specifically, the author looks at how Christ only needed to die once as the once and for all of redemptive history as the penalty for sin and to satisfy God's wrath for sin.  V23-24 look at how Old Testament worship represented a foretaste, copy, or shadow of things to come.  V26b focuses us on Christ's death on the cross, "put away sin" - believers should rejoice in this "already won" victory, which of course includes victory over death as well.  In v27-28 we have this interesting text where it compares how a man only dies once and is then judged to determine whether he is saved or condemned, with how Jesus only died once but will come again to those awaiting His return.  The implication in Christ's 2nd coming is not explicit in the text here but my sense is that this is focused on how Christ's return will be the end of times as described in the book of Revelation.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace for me and who has given me victory over both sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am of course not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Please help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

...[H]ow much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Hebrews 9

 ...[H]ow much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:14

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 9:11-22, and my initial unaided observations of this text. Here, the text pivots from what the first covenant, the high priest, the earthly tabernacle, and the Old Testament sacrificial system cannot do, to what Jesus did through the shedding of His blood.  Instead of entering the earthly tabernacle, Christ entered "through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)" (v11), and He made the once and final sacrifice for all of humanity that redeemed sinners (v12).  He also cleansed believers not just externally, but internally by working in our hearts (v14).  V15-22 then goes on to describe how Jesus is the "mediator of a new covenant," and how believers "receive the promised eternal inheritance."  This inheritance is passed because of the will of Jesus and the will goes into effect by the shedding of His blood and His death. Praise God for this new and greater covenant where we have forgiveness of sin and the promised eternal inheritance!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who shed His blood and died for me, and gave me an forgiveness of sin and an eternal inheritance - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of these blessings...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Hebrews 8

 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. Hebrews 8:6

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 8:1-13, specifically on the text of 8:6-13, leaning on my commentary for its observations on the second division entitled "The Superiority of the New Covenant".  Here, both the text and the commentary make it clear that the new covenant ushered in by Jesus and His shed blood in superior in all ways.  The commentary starts by pointing out how the first covenant was "incomplete" and it was not "final."  Yet, Jesus's death on the cross, as the commentary points out to us by referring us to John 19:30, finished the need for "an unrelenting need for constant sacrifices...the wrath of God toward the sin of his people was finally paid in full."  The commentary then makes this emphatic point: "[i]ndeed, a better priest with a better ministry has come to mediate a better covenant enacted on better promises."  The commentary also shares how the author of Hebrews uses Jeremiah 31, as already done with Genesis 14 (Melchizedek) and Psalm 110, to show [the original readers of Hebrews] them that "they should have been anticipating a priest according to the order of Melchizedek."  The commentary then wraps for this text by describing the "extraordinary promise of the new covenant [as] not that God would dismiss the old covenant but that he would be merciful toward our iniquities and remember our sins no more.  Our greatest problem is sin, for it severs us from the presence of God. Our sin and his holiness are incompatible, yet God promised to reconcile sinful people to himself through the mediator who would inaugurate the new covenant. He chose to do this through his Son, Jesus Christ, the mediator who established the new covenant in his blood (Luke 22:20)."

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You are an awesome God whose covenant with His people is better in all ways - thank You Jesus!  You paid the ultimate price so that I would have victory over sin and death and life to the full now and for eternity.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such sin.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

Hebrews 8

 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. Hebrews 8:1

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 8:1-13, focusing on the text of 8:1-5 specifically, and leaning on my commentary for its observations, including observations for the entirety of the text v1-13 and for v1-5 which my commentary refers to as the first division entitled "The Superiority of the Great High Priest". The commentary focuses on how the text for v1-5, for the Jewish believers reading the original text of Hebrews, reinforces the need for Jesus as a great high priest "who mediates a new and better covenant." It describes the Old Testament priesthood, fulfilled by the Levites, as "terrestrial" while the New Testament priesthood, fulfilled by Jesus, is heavenly, and Jesus's stature is "exalted" above all names.  The commentary refers us to Philippians 2:8-9 where Paul shares Christ's exalted status. The commentary then lays to rest any doubts that Christ's work is complete - instead it shares how Christ's "mediatory work is [His] primary occupation," and how He is coming back at the end of times to "vindicate His church and judge the nations." Finally, the commentary explores in detail how the text for today describes how Christ operates in a Heavenly tent or tabernacle created by God vs with human hands.  On the other hand, the sacrifice and the ministry offered by the Levites was merely a shadow of what was to come - Christ. Believers, rejoice in how we have Jesus Christ - a Great High Priest who offers a new and better covenant!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who came down from Heaven and died on the cross for me...and You continue to mediate for me daily and never leave or forsake me.  You also offer hope...through victory over sin and death.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Hebrews 8

 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. Hebrews 8:6

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 8:1-13, and my initial unaided observations of this text.  Here the text builds on how Hebrews has previously discussed how Jesus is a better, permanent, and perfect Great High Priest to describe how Jesus offers a new and better covenant based on Jesus's shed blood.  First, Jesus enters the most holy place set up by God, not in a tent erected by man (v2).  This tent, the and the entirety of the First Covenant was merely a shadow of things to come in Jesus (v5).  The author of Hebrews quotes (v8-12) Jeremiah 31 where Jeremiah prophesies of the coming Messiah.  Jesus is the Messiah Jeremiah spoke he - Jesus fulfills prophecy.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the promised Messiah and You offer a better covenant - through Your blood...I am not deserving of such a blessing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

Hebrews 7

 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. Hebrews 7:25

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 7:23-28, and my initial unaided observations of this text.  Here the text starts by contrasting how the service of Levitical priests was limited by their earthly lives and their ultimately ended upon death (v23).  Jesus, of course reigns as Great High Priest forever (v24).  V25 states that, as a result, Jesus is able to save "to the uttermost," which is defined as a superlative - to the highest degree.  He only saves those "who draw near to God through Him."  Jesus is able to do this because "He always lives to make intercession for them." V26-28 explore attributes of Jesus as Great High Priest, including "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens." This text also describes how the Great High Priest does not need to perform ritualistic sacrifices for Himself nor for those whom He intercedes.  He offered Himself on the cross.  The text wraps by contrasting the Levitical priests as weak and whose service ended upon death, with Jesus who is the perfect Great High Priest.  Believers, rejoice in how Jesus is able to save to the uttermost!

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are a better mediator and You intercede all the time on my behalf to save me, forgive me and to bring my prayers to the Father.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of these blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

 

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

Hebrews 5

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. Hebrews 5:1-4

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. This morning, I maintain my focus on Hebrews 5:1-10, as I lean on my commentary and explore what the commentary describes as the first division "The Typical High Priest," which looks at Hebrews 5:1-4. The commentary starts by outlining how chapter 5 continues the theme from previous chapters in Hebrews where Christ is defined as better than angels, Moses, Joshua; here in chapter 5, Jesus is described as a better High Priest. The first few verses - 1 through 4 - offer a setup to this ultimate claim by exploring the nature of the high priest in the Old Testament.  First, it states that although the high priest is "chosen from among men," ultimately it is God who calls and appoints the high priest: "[t]he purpose of God appointing high priests was so that the high priest could act “for the people”; it was thus necessary for the high priest to be chosen from among the people. He represented the people as he ministered in the most holy place before God." Second, it unpacks a key attribute of the high priest is to sympathize and identify with the people, who are described as ignorant and wayward, and who go astray.  Astray is defined as "not to apply [God's] knowledge": "[t]he word astray does not necessarily mean acting in outright rebellion against God. It can refer simply to being wayward in our thoughts or habits and allowing ourselves to wander from the things of God. The high priest identifies with the ignorance and waywardness of his people because he too is a finite human beset with weaknesses." Third, the high priest is described as, in light of his ability to sympathize with the people, having his own sin that requires atonement. Finally, the high priest is defined as being humble - serving out of a desire to exalt God vs himself.  We are referred to Exodus 28:1, where we see God's call to Aaron and his sons to serve in priestly duties.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who is a better High Priest than any person ever was or could be - You are my Lord and Savior!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You serve as my Great High Priest.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.