November 22 – Perfect and Satisfactory

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin."   Hebrews 4:15 (NASB)

We believe Christ’s ministry as our eternal high priest is worth understanding. The first time in the Bible that we read about the function of a priest is Genesis 14.  He was a priest of God Most High and he went out to meet Abraham. This was the priest Melchizedek, King of Salem. His name means “king of righteousness” which suggest that he was a righteous ruler who was God’s representative. Melchizedek was the only one of two kings meeting Abraham that Abraham accepted as his spiritual superior and he was a prototypical for Christ Himself, Melchizedek was both a king and a priest blessing and receiving tithes from Abraham. His priesthood, like Christ’s is uninterrupted by succession. There are no successors to Christ to be our high priest. Knowing this, we can trust His ministry to be genuine and eternal. As our High Priest, Jesus was His own perfect sinless sacrifice to God the Father on our behalf and His sacrifice made propitiation for our sins and satisfied the debt. Jesus knows what temptation is by His own experience because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18).

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October 15 – Our Forever Priest

“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 (ESV)

The word ‘priest’ is very common in our vernacular. It can conger up many different ideas if it is not defined for the context where we find it. Perhaps we think mostly of those in service to the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches. The priests are those authorized to perform the sacred rites of their religion. In the Old Testament when the Law of Moses was given to the People of Israel, priests were established to be the ones who performed the required sacrifices and offerings people brought. Our verse today has for us the promise that we who believe have a high priest who is Jesus Christ. He offered Himself as the finale sacrifice for sin. In Hebrews 5:5-6 we learn that it was God the Father who called His Son and declared Him to be a Priest Forever (Psalm 110:4). Jesus became our perfect High Priest who lived a life like ours in a form like ours and was himself tempted many times in many ways. His sacrifice of Himself was accepted by the Father and authenticated by His resurrection from the dead. With direct access by the Holy Spirit, we need no other priest.

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June 27 – Now and Forever After Now

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”  1 John 5:13 (NIV)

We are blessed that the message of the Son of God came to us and we have had the opportunity to believe in Jesus.  We have heard about Jesus Christ who came from heaven to offer forgiveness and eternal life to those who would believe in Him.   Jesus died for us so that we do not have to face the consequences of  our sin - eternal separation and spiritual death.  Sometimes, we face circumstances and trials that test our faith.  Sometimes we stumble and maybe we are tempted to entertain doubt about our future, about what happens after we die.  The Apostle John wrote these words and sent them to those who believe in Jesus to assure us and to affirm the promise of eternal life.  We posses a spiritual life that will live forever with God in heaven.  Jesus made it possible and through our faith and belief, Jesus gave it to us when we invited Him into our lives.  We can  know for certain, beyond all doubt, that the life Jesus gives to us is for eternity.  Forever with Jesus now and after we die.  Our promise today. 

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August 10

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”  2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)

It is wonderful to know that our God is aware of our needs. I am reminded of what our Lord Jesus said to His disciple, Peter, that last night before the cross. Jesus knew that Peter would be tempted to deny Him. He told Peter that He had already prayed for him. The same is true with us today. He knows how our faith will be tested. And He will strengthen us to endure testing and protect us and bring us through. God has committed Himself to keep us and we can depend on Him.

May 14

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Our God in heaven knows what we, as humans, need. That’s why He has given us statements such as this one. We must admit that there are times when we are tempted to give up trying to do what God wants us to do. When we are trying to do what is right we may not always see the results that we expect as soon as we would like. This word tells us that the results will come at the proper time – and that is God’s time. It encourages us not to become weary or to give up, to trust Him to bring results in His time.