Chapter 8 Verses 1-13
In these verses, the writer of Hebrews described the new covenant that Jesus is a mediator for. The high priests followed the law given to Moses and served in a sanctuary made by human hands. Jesus serves as high priest in heaven, which is greater than any sanctuary, whether it was the tabernacle or temple, that is built by human hands. The ministry of Jesus is also greater than the ministry high priests had under the law and first covenant. The first covenant couldn’t make or keep the children of Israel faithful to God. The new covenant is better than the first covenant for a few reasons. First, God will place his laws in the minds and hearts of his people. Instead of someone telling his people right from wrong, they will know it intimately. God does that by sending the Holy Spirit to all that accept his son Jesus as their Lord and savior. Second, his people will not need men to teach them how to know him. All people that have the Holy Spirit will know God for themselves. Third, God will forgive his people of their wickedness and forget their sins. That is the power of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. God will forgive everyone that places their faith in Jesus and forget their sins. God’s people will be covered by the blood Jesus shed! The writer included an important fact in verse thirteen about the old covenant. The writer stated that the old covenant is obsolete and will disappear soon. We know from reading about Jesus in the gospel according to Matthew that the old covenant will disappear only when Jesus returns again to make all things new. For now, those of us that are God’s people, through faith in Jesus, need to pray that others will accept the grace and mercy God has shown all mankind through the new covenant. Has the Holy Spirit helped you get to know God better this month? What has the Holy Spirit been teaching you this month? How can you share the good news about God’s grace and mercy with someone this week?
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Chapter 7 Verses 1-10
In these verses, the writer of Hebrews described how great of a high priest Melchizedek was. In verse three the writer stated, “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.” The writer described Jesus as being a high priest in the order of Melchizedek in earlier chapters. Melchizedek is mentioned in Genesis 14:18-20. Melchizedek blessed Abram then Abram gave a tenth of the plunder to him. Chapter 7 Verses 11-28 The writer of Hebrews wrote how Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek in these verses. The priesthood of Jesus was not passed down to him because of his ancestor Judah, because Moses didn’t say priests would come from that tribe. The priesthood of Jesus is based on his indestructible life and the oath God said about him in Psalm 110:4. God determined that Jesus would be a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is better than the high priests from the Old Testament covenant. Jesus sacrificed his life once for our sins. We are assured that we can go to God and have the right relationship with him through Jesus, because Jesus lives forever and intercedes for us at God’s right hand. Has God called you to serve him and others? Has God called you to serve in a way that is not according to your family tree? How has God confirmed you are called to serve? How has God equipped you for service? Chapter 6 Verses 1-12
The writer of Hebrews continued his thoughts from the previous verses in chapter five. The writer didn’t want the first readers of this letter to remain on the elementary teachings about Christ, but to move forward to maturity. The writer listed six elementary teachings in verses one and two. Verses four through twelve was the writer’s way of showing the readers of this letter how to distinguish good from evil. It would be evil if a person that believed in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and received the Holy Spirit to fall away from their faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. It would be impossible for that person to receive forgiveness, because they didn’t believe in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ died once, for all mankind’s sin. Either a person believes it or doesn’t. The person that believes it can not go backwards and stop believing it. People that believe in Jesus Christ love God. They show their love for God by helping his people. Chapter 6 Verses 13-20 The writer of Hebrews used these verses to encourage the readers that their hope placed in God was well placed. God kept his promise to Abraham and confirmed it by swearing on himself. God doesn’t change and he can not lie. When he makes a promise, he keeps it. God will do what he promised for all those that believe in Jesus and who have him as their high priest. What is our hope? Are we filled with hope about our future? How do our circumstances affect our hope for our future? Chapter 5 Verses 1-10
The writer of Hebrews continued to explain the role of high priest and how Jesus fulfilled that role for us in these verses. The writer used scripture from Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 110:4 to confirm that Jesus was called by God to the position of high priest. Jesus did not take the position or claim to be what God had not already planned for his life on earth. Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. The writer included that Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek, which he wrote more about in chapter seven. Chapter 5 Verses 11-14 The writer of Hebrews gave the first readers of this letter strong words of rebuke in these verses. The writer had more to say about Jesus being high priest, but paused to tell the readers two areas they were weak in. The first readers of this letter were slow to learn and needed someone to teach them the elementary truths of God’s word again. The reason the writer wanted the readers to mature is so they could train themselves to distinguish good from evil by using the teaching about righteousness. Have we accepted God’s plan for our lives? How are we living an obedient life to Jesus Christ? How does God describe us, as babies or mature? Do we know what the elementary truths of God’s word are? What are we doing to train ourselves to distinguish good from evil? |
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