When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

 John 19:28-30

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 19:28-30, where we see Jesus' death on the cross.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God is all knowing and He has a perfect plan.  Jesus knew all that had occurred, what was occurring (Jesus' death) and what was yet to come....He also was in all the details as He was sent from God the Father, equal to God the Father, and part of the Triune God that includes the Holy Spirit.   The death of Jesus finished and completed the need for a perfect spotless lamb as the final atonement for all sin. This act, including the drinking of the sour wine, occurred just as written in scripture, fulfilling prophecy - see Psalm 69:21.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Jesus drank the sour wine intended for all of us - His entire experience from His arrest, flogging, and death on the cross was meant for us but He took our place.
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the Jesus' death on the cross (and His resurrection) gives us victory over sin and death.  It is already won!  Follow the example of Jesus who willingly laid down His life promise that for others - us.  Deny oneself and surrender to Jesus as the Way, Truth and the Life. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and salvation.  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.

And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.

Mark 15:21-47

And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. Mark 15:23

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 15:21-47, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. 

Outline of the text and observed divisions based on timings in the text:

1. Jesus suffers on the cross; up to sixth hour (vv21-32)
2. Jesus dies on the cross; up to ninth hour (vv33-41)
3. Jesus is buried; evening (vv42-47) 

Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus refuses wine mixed with myrrh (v23) and the use of myrrh in its historical context suggests that He did not want to "dull" any aspect of His death but instead He sought to "fully" experience the pain and suffering of His death;  Jesus does not save Himself and He is mocked for it (vv29-32, 36); Jesus cries out to God in agony as He feels forsaken by the Father (v34); Jesus dies (v37) and He is buried (vv46-47).    
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Simon of Cyrene is compelled by the Roman soldiers leading Jesus away (to be crucified) to assist in carrying the cross upon which Jesus will be crucified (v21); two robbers are crucified with Jesus - one on left and one on right (v27) and Mark's account describes how these two robbers reviled Him (v32); Jesus is mocked by the soldiers and bystanders - they taunted Him to save Himself (vv26-32, 35-36); the centurion who faced Jesus sees Jesus as Son of God (v39); women followers witness the crucifixion - Mary Magdelene, Mary (Jesus' mother), and Salome (wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John - Matthew 27:56); Joseph of Arimathea is described as "looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus," and Pilate grants this request (vv43, 45); Joseph of of Arimathea buys a linen shroud then wraps Jesus' body in the shroud, lays in a tomb of rock and seals the entrance of the tomb as Mary Magdelene and Mary observe (vv46-47).   
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should claim the promise that there is a New Covenant based on Jesus' blood that does away with OT ceremonial law where only the high priests can fellowship with God in the inner tent - v38 describes how the temple curtain is torn from top to bottom giving us direct access to God through Jesus; like Joseph of Arimathea, all believers should be "looking for the kingdom of God" and acting with courage based on this pursuit - while the text does not share that Joseph of Arimathea became a believer, the text does identify him as a member of the Sanhedrin and his actions likely would have been "frowned upon" to say the least (v43). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves as You willingly suffered an excruciating death on the cross - taking my place for my sins and the sins of all humanity for all of redemptive history.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such an act and gift - the greatest gift of all time.  My sins are great and they continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sins toward 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.

He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard.

Mark 12:1-12

He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. Mark 12:6-8

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:1-12.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv6-8):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "The Father Sent the One He Loves and We Should Honor."
• "The parable takes a remarkable turn. It continues the theme of the amazing patience of God with humanity. It also testifies to the amazing grace of a God who would send His only Son to reconcile rebellious sinners who commit horrible crimes, do not seek God, and have no fear of God."
• While the commentary emphasizes how the text is focused on Israel's religious leaders, we are encouraged to see ourselves in the text.
• The text, referring to a beloved son - of course we know this son as Jesus - is similar to text from Genesis 22:2 when God calls Abraham to sacrifice his son, "whom you love."  It is also similar to text from Isaiah 9:6-7 where we see a prophecy of Jesus - a son "given to us". 
• RE: the parable, the commentary compares the first servants of the vineyard master to the beloved son.  The first servants were many yet the beloved son was unique.  The servants were hired but the beloved son was the heir.  The servants were forerunners of the son, and the son was to be the last sent by the vineyard master.  
• "If verses 1-5 convey the hope of God for His people, verse 6 conveys the faithful love of God for His people. The Father sent His Son as an act of grace."  
• The following quote from David Garland's commentary on Mark highlights the fool hearty nature covetousness: "Covetousness makes humans want what they should not have. It makes them think that this desire should be fulfilled at all cost. Other persons become things to exploit, and our desires become our gods. . . . Do humans think that by erasing God from their lives they can take control of their earthly and eternal destinies? Apparently so . . . [Here] is the utter foolishness of sinful rebellion against God."  
• The sending of the son should remind us of Christmas which is upon us with the start of Advent tomorrow.

I share the sentiment of my commentary's author - that we should see ourselves in today's text.  Yes, Israel's religious leaders were the object of Jesus' words from the parable, yet all of us act in ways similar to these religious leaders.    

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus that I can have life to the full now and for eternity.  Of course, I am not deserving of what Jesus did on the cross.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn 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.   

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Mark 4:35-41

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers six divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of six) division (v38): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "Jesus Is Human Aside from Sin." The commentary actually offers two divisions for v38 - I already posted about the second of these here, but because I missed the first one, I came back to it today. 
• Believers know the Jesus is both fully man, and fully God.  He came to us as the Incarnate Son of God to both experience life as we do, and then to die for us, taking upon Himself God's wrath as one perfect spotless sacrifice that served as the final sacrifice for all of humanity throughout all of redemptive history.  The commentary emphasizes this as well as sharing how Jesus lived without sin and He "had no sin nature."  We are referred to to 2 Corinthians 5:21, and Hebrews 4:15.
• "Both His humanity and His deity are put on display in this story, and it is humanity that appears so clearly when He is in stern of the boat, fast asleep on a cushion. The Bible repeatedly teaches our Lord’s full and true humanity. He got hungry (Matt 4:2). He got angry (Mark 3:5). He cried (John 11:35). He died (the cross). Now we see He slept. He had an exhausting day, and He kept on sleeping right through the storm. This is the only time in the Gospels that we read of Jesus sleeping."
• "[Jesus] had complete trust in the providential care of His Father. The veteran seamen may be terrified, but the Carpenter from Nazareth [slept] soundly."  

The commentary here wraps by also sharing that just as Jesus had a work to do (His ministry) before He went to the cross how we also have a work to do and just as Jesus did, we can endure what He endured because He gives us the Holy Spirit, He never leaves or forsakes us, He knows everything about us and can sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15), etc.  We have an awesome God who equips us to weather the storms of life!  Praise Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are indeed an awesome God who loves us and who saves and equips us to weather the storms of life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  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. 

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ecclesiastes 9:1-10

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book. My focus today is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 9:1-10, going back over this text which I have previously covered over the past four days.  Specifically for today my focus is how the commentary extends (and closes) an examination of this text with a section entitled Jesus Delivers from Death and Gives Abundant, Eternal Life. 

Excerpts from this section of the commentary:

• "Ecclesiastes depicts in great detail the curse of sin and death. Death’s tyranny makes life meaningless because if this life is all there is, then death cancels everything out. You cannot take your money with you. Your legacy will ultimately be forgotten. Nothing you did really seems to matter. Some scholars look at this and say Ecclesiastes believes there is nothing beyond the grave, but that is wrong. Ecclesiastes does not teach annihilation; it teaches uncertainty.  Solomon purposefully takes on this particular human perspective, and he says we cannot know for sure if anything lies beyond death because none of us has ever gone there and come back."
  
• "However, we do know something is out there, and we long for it because eternity is in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). What Ecclesiastes aches for, the New Testament presents to us. Paul wrote to the church at Rome to tell them that death did enter the world through one man, but life also came into the world through one man (Romans 5:12-21)."
• "However, the promise is not just for eternal life; the promise is also for abundant life (John 10:10)—living life to the fullest as it was meant to be lived."
• "The good news is that Jesus came to redeem us so that we can begin to live according to God’s good design."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who died for the sin of all humanity so that Your elect can have life now to the full and for eternity.  Thank You Jesus for the greatest gift of all time - amazing grace indeed!  I am not deserving of such grace.  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.

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

Today I pause both my study of 1 Corinthians and my study that accompanies participation in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Instead, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today explores an unintuitive concept for unbelievers - how Christ's death on the cross represents triumphant shame.  John Piper first shares the hope of the gospel that for those who are saved "a great and holy God can and does welcome dirty, unholy people like you and me into his favor."  Piper then explains how God does this, and he starts by pointing to Hebrews 9:25-26 where Christ's death on the cross was - like it was under the OT sacrificial system - a sacrifice of a perfect blemish-free life.  This sacrifice from the text, however, was unlike the OT sacrificial system as it was done "once for all."  This is a triumph because sin and death are defeated with this "once for all" perfect sacrifice.  Piper explains, again looking at the text, that if Christ had to die repeatedly year after year such an act would "look weak and ineffective" and it would not be a victory.  The result of an annual sacrifice of Christ would nullify the "infinite value of the sacrifice of the Son of God, [as i]t would vanish in the shamefulness of a yearly suffering and death."  Piper then suggests that when you combine Hebrews 9:25-26 with Hebrews 12:2, we see triumphant shame in Christ's perfect "once for all" sacrifice.  Piper concludes the devotion by pointing to 2 Corinthians 4:4 and praying that unbelieving readers of this devotion "see the light of this glory and believe."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your death on the cross represents triumphant shame and it is also a victory over sin and death for all who believe.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You give me victory over sin and death.  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 when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God[.]

Hebrews 10

 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God[.] Hebrews 10:12

I resume my study of Hebrews, picking up with chapter 10. This morning my focus is Daniel 10:1-18 and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews.  The commentary outlines five divisions in this text:

I. Insufficient Sacrifices (10:1): The sacrifices required under the old covenant to satisfy God's wrath for sin needed to be done repeatedly and continually.  

II. A Sacrifice Sufficient to Take Away Sin (10:2-4): Because these sacrifices did not completely satisfy God's wrath but instead only delayed His wrath, they pointed to a need for a greater more perfect sacrifice that is sufficient to cleanse our consciousness of sin (and to bring about obedience).

III. A Sacrifice Sufficient to Supplant Old Testament Sacrifices (10:5-10): Christ died once for all of humanity, and His sacrifice abolished and did away with the Old Testament sacrifices.

IV. A Sacrifice Sufficient to Bring Perfection (10:11-14): Christ's sacrifice not only abolished the Old Testament sacrifices, it also brings about sanctification and perfection for those who believe.

V. A Sacrifice Sufficient to Bring Forgiveness (10:15-18): Christ's sacrifice - by giving us a new heart - also cleanses believers' consciousnesses of sin (and bringing about obedience).

Thank You Jesus for Your sacrifice - for me!

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are a great God and You are sufficient in all ways!  Thank You for Your sacrifice and how You save and sanctify!  I am not deserving of such love - amazing grace.  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.

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 those 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 priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Hebrews 7

 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 those 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 priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. Hebrews 7:26-28

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, as I lean specifically on Hebrews 7:26-28 and the associated commentary, which refers to this text as the second division "The Perfect Priest".  Here, we once again see the contrast between the sacrifices required under the law made by the Levitical priests, vs the perfect sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross.  Jesus fulfilled all of the requirements of shed blood because as the commentary describes, He lived a sinless life and was "undefiled" and "spotless."  Christ's sacrifice also ended the need for ongoing daily and annual sacrifices required by Old Testament law. The commentary includes a discussion dismissing those who view the first covenant as a failure.  It shares: "It succeeded gloriously. Its purpose was never to save; it was to demonstrate man’s need for a Savior....We can only grasp the fullness of what that means when we see how Christ fulfills the expectations in the old covenant by being for us the great high priest of the new and better covenant."  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, the Great High Priest and perfect in how fulfill this role.  I know I can approach You in confidence in my time of need to wash my sins away, and intercede on my behalf.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me in these ways - 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.

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.

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. Hebrews 7:23-25

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, as a lean specifically on Hebrews 7:23-25 and the associated commentary, which refers to this text as the first division "The Permanent Priest". Here the text highlights the difference between the Levitical priesthood and Jesus as Great High Priest, which describes the former as limited by an early life that is limited by death, and the latter which is permanent as it is based on a resurrected life and a Kingdom that lasts forever.  The commentary examines however something that it describes as being less present to the modern reader - that the original reader of Hebrews might not be able to fathom how a covenant and priesthood based on Jesus is better than the Abrahamic covenant and the priesthood role filled by Aaron and his descendants.  The commentary makes it clear that this contrast was important to the author of Hebrews to highlight for the original readers because the New Covenant made available by the shed blood of Jesus was better in all ways. The commentary writes: "[t]he Abrahamic covenant did not save, even though it bestowed many blessings."  Jesus alone saves!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You save!  Thank You.  You saved me and I am not deserving!  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!

Comment and discuss this post.

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.

 

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.

Hebrews 7

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. Hebrews 7:11-12

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. This morning, my focus is on Hebrews 7:11-22, as I lean on my commentary, and how it unpacks the first division "The Perfect Priesthood of the Son," which refers to Hebrews 7:11-12. As a setup, the commentary first posits that nothing other than Jesus is perfect.  Jesus's perfection is an intrinsic attribute of His as He is both "fully divine and fully human....it is the defining characteristic of His priestly ministry." The commentary then describes the Levitcal priesthood as imperfect - which then creates a need for Jesus.  Given the author of Hebrews audience, the commentary explores how drawing this comparison between Jesus and the Levitical priesthood was important as "[the author] is proclaiming that Christ brings an end to the Levitical priesthood, the backbone of Jewish society and a major feature of God’s covenant with Israel....As right and righteous as Levi’s priesthood was, it was imperfect. Thus, the Levitical priesthood could not accomplish the salvation of God’s people....There was, however, a need all along for a great high priest to perform one final act atoning for sin....The insufficiencies of the Levitical priesthood as an entire system stand as shadows to the fully sufficient great high priest, Jesus Christ." 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the perfect Great High Priest and I can go to You in confidence - knowing You can intercede on my behalf to the Father, You wash away the stain of my sin, and You give me eternal life...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 being made perfect, [Jesus] became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.

Hebrews 5

And being made perfect, [Jesus] became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. Hebrews 5:9

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 5:1-10, and my initial unaided observations of this text. Here, the author of Hebrews compares the role the high priest during the Old Testament, using Aaron as an example, and during the New Testament, where upon His death and resurrection, Jesus was "appointed" (v5) as Great High Priest. The comparison first looks at how both the Old Testament high priests and Jesus possessed (of course Jesus still does) the ability to sympathize with those who were weak because of their own humanity (v2). This weakness inevitably leads to sin, except of course for Jesus, and this sin requires sacrifice to atone for sin (v3). The text then refers to the high priest's act of offering sacrifice for sin for not just himself, but also for others, as an honor (v3-4).  The text indicates that "no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God" (v4). Jesus assumed the role of Great High Priest not to "exalt himself" (v5), to fulfill prophecy referred to in v5-6, 10 where Psalm 2:7 and 110:4 are both quoted. Christ's humanity is further explored in v7 where Jesus prayed to God to save him from death on the cross, and the text shares how God heard these prayers "because of [Jesus' reverence]."  V8-9 then describe Christ as obedient, the perfect sacrifice, and as "the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him."

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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 - taking my sin and all of humanity's sin upon Yourself, sacrificing Your life for all of us...even though You lived a perfect, spotless live.  Thank You Jesus for this gift of grace - amazing indeed and I am 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.  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.

Hebrews 4

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. Hebrews 4:15

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. I maintain my focus Hebrews 4:14-16, as I move on to what the commentary describes as the second division "Remembering Our Sinless High Priest," which looks at Hebrews 4:15. The commentary first explores the nature of temptation, and ultimately shares that scripture is calling us to fight and resist temptation that turns into sin - lustful thoughts, impatience, frustration, selfishness, greed, etc. We need to avoid "crossing that line" that "give[s] permission to [our] temptation to manifest itself into full blown sin."  Jesus is described as never crossing that line: "He was tempted in every respect that we have been tempted, but never once did he permit that temptation to become sin in his heart, in his thoughts, or in his actions. Thus, temptation that resists or rejects sin falls short of sin, while temptation that gives over to sin is sin."  The commentary wraps for this text by comparing Old Testament priests to Jesus and the role He plays as the Great High Priest: "Old Testament priests could only offer sacrifices that would delay God’s judgment against sin. Their sacrifices could only buy time. Jesus’s sacrifice, however, accomplished complete atonement for sin once and for all. This was only possible because he was without sin, totally unlike every other high priest and totally unlike every other human being." A Great High Priest indeed!

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My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are SO, SO good!  Your mercies are new every morning, and Your provide for all of my needs!  Thank You Jesus!  You also are a Great High Priest and My Lord and Savior - thank You Jesus - amazing grace!  Of course 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.

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 the service of 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

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 the service of 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 2:16-18

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is a look specifically at Hebrews 2:16-18, the third of three divisions from Hebrews 2:10-18, and this division is entitled "Priesthood and Propitiation" by the commentary. The commentary starts by looking at a fundamental question - could God's justice for humanity's sin and believers salvation be secured without Jesus' incarnation and death on the cross?  The commentary points out how the language of the text is clear: "[t]his text indicates that the answer to that question is no. God only acts in the way that corresponds with his character and most displays his glory. Thus, in order to both satisfy his justice and display his mercy, God put Christ forward as a propitiatory sacrifice." The commentary then explores how Christ's incarnation also made Him a Great High Priest who perfectly intercedes for believers to God the Father on our behalf. It outlines theological terms expiation and propitiation, describing expiation as "washing away of sin" and propitiation as "satisfaction of God’s justice", and further elaborates on propitiation (referring to Romans 3:21-26) by saying: "[p]ropitiation enables God to be both just and justifier. Without the satisfaction of God’s righteousness in the punishment of sin, he could not justly declare sinners righteous. Thus, propitiation stands at the very heart of the gospel. The logic of propitiation makes the good news good. Without propitiation, there is no gospel." 

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My Prayer: Thank you Jesus for both washing away my sins and for taking my place on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for not just my sin but the sin of all of humanity.  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, obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source.

Hebrews 2

 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. Hebrews 2:10-11

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is an overview of the commentary for Hebrews 2:10-18, and a look at specifically at Hebrews 2:10-13, the first of three divisions from Hebrews 2:10-18 as outlined by the commentary. The overview indicates how Hebrews 2:10-18 "further explains what it means (from v9 - see post from a couple of days ago) for Christ to “taste death for everyone...” [and it addresses key questions such as]: Exactly how does Christ accomplish this feat? What are the results? How do God’s people benefit?"  In looking specifically at Hebrews 2:10-13, the commentary then stresses the following key points:

• Christ came into the world to adopt us as sons and daughters to glory.  "These words provide a gospel summary that focuses on the relational and familial aspects of the gospel. The gospel transforms believers into children of God and siblings of the Lord Jesus. Our purpose is to bring the glory of God into greater visibility—to be the public display of the glory of God both now and for all eternity. Thus, we become “sons and daughters to glory” in order to magnify the glory of God for all to see." We exist to glorify God!
  
•  The fittingness of God the Father's plan to send His Son to "redeem humanity through a perfect and suffering Savior. The justice of God demanded a substitutionary atonement for the forgiveness of sins....Because of Christ’s perfect obedience to the Father, Jesus has become the “source” of salvation.
• The Old Testament citations in this text (Psalm 22:22 and Isaiah 8:17-18) referring to "brothers and sisters" are "rooted in the reality because believers are Christ’s “brothers and sisters,” we are also “children” of God." The commentary also argues that believers should see how "[t]he Law and the Prophets bear witness to Christ. He is their telos....[and] that the message of the Old Testament is fundamentally messianic. The Old Testament must be read in light of its fulfillment in Christ."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, who died for me as a perfect, substitutionary atonement for my sins - thank You Jesus for bearing my punishment that I deserved.  I am not deserving of the grace You poured out for me and continue to pour out for me.  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 because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 2

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is on initial observations of Hebrews 2:10-18. This text builds on previous text (see post yesterday) in Hebrews where it establishes that the Last Adam accomplished what the first Adam did not. It describes how "it is fitting" (v10) that God came into the world as flesh and blood, partaking of the same things all of humanity experiences, including temptation, pain, suffering, and ultimately death - for a purpose: redemption and salvation of humanity.

[T]hrough 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 the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:14-17.

It is not just fitting but amazing - amazing grace!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great, amazing God and I am grateful for the amazing grace You have already poured out for me and for the mercies that are new every morning...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and mercy.  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.

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

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper examines Jesus' perfect sacrifice of Himself on the cross, and he contrasts Jesus' sacrifice with that of the Jewish high priests in the Old Testament.  Unlike the Jewish high priests, who "came into the holy place yearly with animal sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people," Jesus only had to die once - His sacrifice was perfect - done for all humanity for all times.  Piper points out how the author of Hebrews underscores this point by describing how it is "unthinkable" it would be for Jesus to have to sacrifice Himself yearly as the Jewish high priests did in bringing their sacrifices yearly. Piper shares how this is unthinkable "[b]ecause it would make the death of the Son of God look weak and ineffective. If it has to be repeated year after year for centuries, where would be the triumph? Where would we see the infinite value of the sacrifice of the Son of God? It would vanish in the shamefulness of a yearly suffering and death."  Piper then wraps up the devotion with an exhortation to be encouraged and not take "for granted that there should be a welcome for sinners in heaven....There was shame in the cross, but it was triumphant shame. “[Jesus despised] the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). This is the gospel of the glory of Christ, the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). I [John Piper] pray that no matter how dirty or unholy with sin you are, you will see the light of this glory and believe."  Be encouraged!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who died for me and for all of humanity for all of time as a perfect sacrifice for my sins - so that I could have life now in abundance and for eternity.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God and such blessings!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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.  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.

...[B]ecause he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 51-53

...[B]ecause he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - and on Day 5c of Lesson 19, I complete my review of Isaiah 53 with a reference to a number of  a number of verses that describe the manner of Jesus death - that He died in humility, with two criminals - one on either side of Him. He was willing to be beaten, mocked, "numbered with transgressors," and ultimately crucified - although He did nothing wrong.  He became the perfect sacrifice for our sins - that we could have life...in abundance now and for eternity with Him.  Amazing grace!  We must model such humility, and we are to reflect on how Jesus died and THAT He did...even though He did nothing wrong and lived a spotless life. 

Scripture references include: Daniel 9:26, 1 Peter 2:2, Luke 22:37. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace.  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 you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord.”....I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Leviticus 21-22

And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord.”....I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Leviticus 22:32-33, Romans 12:1

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing with chapter nineteen - Holiness and Leadership - covering Leviticus 21-22, looking specifically at the fourth theme for the chapter - God Calls Us to Present Acceptable Offerings to Him.  Here, the commentary encourages us to examine a very important question - to what extent am I surrendering my life to Christ? It starts by looking at Leviticus 22:17-30, where the Lord is speaking to Moses, and communicating His commands for acceptable offerings.  The command to offer only sacrifices without blemish is described four times in these verses, underscoring God emphasis that God seeks our best.  The commentary states that we are to offer our best because "He is God.  When we recognize His greatness and glory, we give offerings that are great and glorious--the best we have."  This is a challenge for all believers, myself included.  It was certainly a challenge for the Israelites as the commentary points out scripture is replete with examples where the Jewish people in the Old Testament failed to give their best to God.  As just one example, the commentary refers to the book of Malachi, where in Malachi 1:6-14, the Lord responds to those who doubt His love as He questions Israel's love for God as they repeatedly presented "polluted offerings" to God. The commentary writes how, here in Malachi, the Israelites "would not offer second rate gifts to their governor.  They naturally respected their governor, and if they respected God, they would not bring their leftovers to Him as offerings." The commentary recommends a book by Vance Havner, Lord of What's Left, and discourages us from offering only what is leftover in our lives to God - instead we must offer the best of everything we are and every we do to God. It writes: "[t]o profane God's name is to misuse His name, to desecrate His name.  God's name represents His character; it represents God Himself, and desecrating God is a serious sin....Sub-standard sacrifices, second rate offerings, profane God's name.  We give Him the best, the first, and we give Him obedience because He is God."

The commentary refers us to the following scriptures for us to better understand how we are to offer to God only our best - the Old Testament references below describe how "God says that He sent His people into exile to prevent them from further profaning His name."  Paul, then, provides the example in Romans.

• Isaiah 42:24-25, 42:27-28
• Jeremiah 7:30-34, 27:15
• Ezekiel 43:8
• Romans 12:1

 Of course, with Christ, God presented the perfect sacrifice.

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My Prayer: