Week 20, Day 1: The Great Cloud of Witnesses
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 13:1-25; James 1:1-27
Some thoughts from Friday’s reading…
Hebrews 11 has to be one of the most inspirational passages in the New Testament. It is often called the “Hall of Faith” because it depicts such an impressive list of faithful biblical characters. The purpose is to provide examples for us, showing us characteristics that we should try to emulate. As chapter 12 starts, we are encouraged to remain faithful through whatever trials may confront us, because these great characters of faith are watching and cheering us on. The imagery used by the inspired writer is one of a race, and the witnesses are those who are in the stands watching the race. In this case, they have run the race themselves, and have completed it. They are waiting on the rest of us to finish and are giving all the encouragement that they can to us so that we will finish the race as well.
Because of their encouragement, we should put aside those things that would trip us up in this life. We need to get rid of all the sin in our lives, and not keep it laying around our feet, where it will continually trip us up and cause us to have even greater labor in running the race. Instead, we should run unencumbered, and with endurance. This race is indeed an endurance race, and not a sprint. We need to remain steady in our focus, and be resolved to finish this race, no matter how difficult it may become!
Finally, the writer reminds us that we have Jesus as the perfect example. He was able to succeed in living a perfect life, and withstood the tribulations that were brought upon Him, because He looked to the joy that was set before Him. He didn’t look at the trials of life, but rather looked beyond them to the reward He would receive for His faithfulness. We need to have the same kind of mindset. We need to look beyond the trials we face here, and gain strength from the hope of the reward that awaits us if we will remain faithful!
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Week 19, Day 5: Insufficient Sacrifices…
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 11:1-12:29
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that the Old Covenant was intentionally flawed. We can see, in Hebrews 9 and 10 why this was true. God intended for the Old Covenant to be insufficient, only preparing the way for the perfect New Covenant. In Hebrews 10:1-4, the Hebrew writer shows one of the ways that the Old Covenant was flawed–it could not forgive sins. The sacrifice of animals could not take away sins, but was only a shadow of the things to come (the sacrifice of Christ).
The sacrifices of the Old Testament covenant were only a reminder of sins year by year. All of the animal sacrifices ever offered would have been useless if Christ had not been offered to take away the sins of the world. Understanding that God designed the Old Testament covenant to be incomplete indicates that He made that covenant intentionally flawed. He never intended it to be the perfect covenant that would come later.
It is rather interesting to notice that God required imperfect animal sacrifices for so long. Think of how many thousands, and perhaps millions of animals were sacrificed. In all of that sacrifice, the Hebrew writer tells us that there was no forgiveness of sins. The “blood of bulls and goats” proved to be lacking all that was necessary. But, the perfect sacrifice came, and ensured the salvation of those that faithfully executed the Law that had been given to them.
We live under the perfect, unflawed covenant. We should recognize the blessings that we have that far surpass what was available in the times of old!
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Week 19, Day 4: A Better Covenant
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 9:1-10:39
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
The book of Hebrews is so full of great information, it is very difficult to pick just one section to write about! Today, I’d like you to think about a few verses from chapter 8. In Hebrews 8:7-13, the writer addresses the concept of how much better the New Covenant is than the Old. Obviously, if the first had been without fault, there would be no reason for a second or “new” covenant (Hebrews 8:7). This new covenant would be so much better because it would realize the relationship between God and man that God had always wanted. Even in the Old Testament, God wanted His people to be faithful to Him so that He could maintain a relationship with them. Now, in the New Covenant that relationship is established. Those who refuse to be the people of God are not a part of His nation (something that was not true under the Old Testament Covenant).
In this New Covenant, the law would be written on the hearts, and in the minds of those that were faithful to God. Everyone would know the Lord, for they would not have to be taught Him after entering the covenant (like those in the Old Testament who entered the covenant at 8 days old).
The greatest part of this new covenant is found in Hebrews 8:12. God would forgive and forget the lawless deeds of His people. The Hebrew writer over the next couple of chapters will continue to show the greatness of the New Covenant, and how the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant was (intentionally) flawed. There was no forgiveness of sins in that Covenant, but only in the New that was based on a better sacrifice.
We are blessed to live under this New Covenant. We have our sins forgiven, something that the faithful of old only looked forward to. May we never forget how important this blessing is, and remember those who were faithful to God in times past, and were a part of bringing this wonderful New Covenant to us!
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Week 19, Day 3: You Ought to Be Teachers
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 7:1-8:13
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In Hebrews 5:12-14, the writer rebuked the Hebrew Christians for not developing as they should. They had been Christians long enough to be teaching others, but instead, they were needing to be taught again. These Christians had the opportunity to grow, and be more useful in the kingdom, but they had failed to do so. The reason that this had happened was that they had not moved on beyond the milk of the word.
The same thing will happen with us if we refuse to study the word of God. If we are content to stay with the first principles of the will of God, then we will always be babes in the Faith. If that happened in the natural realm, we would be shocked and astonished. Imagine a parent feeding their teenager only milk, and then wondering why he is so unhealthy! And yet, that is exactly what happens spiritually. We teach or study only the milk of the word, and never dig deeper into the meat of the word.
We must be diligent to conscientiously grow in the Faith or we will fall backwards. If we are not using our knowledge, and adding to it, we will begin to forget it all. This is much like learning any other subject. I learned algebra, trigonometry and even some calculus while in school, but if I had to solve a problem in any of those subjects now, I could never do it. I have not used those skills for over 10 years, and have forgotten how to use them. If we fail to use the skills we learn as Christians, then we will forget them in just the same way. That was the problem with the Hebrew Christians. When they should have developed to the point of teaching others, they had to be taught again because they had stopped using their knowledge.
If we spend time in study every day, then we will have the knowledge that that is needed to share with others. We can ensure our own growth by being dedicated to constant study. Only if we develop properly can we take what we learn and teach it to others. That is our responsibility and should be our goal. Prepare yourself, and then teach others. Everyone is capable of learning, and teaching others at least to some extent. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you would be rebuked by God for not developing to the point that you should!
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Week 19, Day 2: Our High Priest
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 5:1-6:20
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
At the end of Hebrews 4, the inspired writer tells us a little bit about our “High Priest.” Much of the book of Hebrews reflects on the Old Testament covenant, and shows how the New Covenant is much better than the Old. In Hebrews 4:14-16, we can see why the High Priest in the New Covenant is much better than the High Priest in the Old Covenant. The High Priests of old had great limitations. They were sinful men, who had to first offer a sacrifice for their own sins before they could offer a sacrifice for the people. But, the new High Priest is Jesus, who was sinless. But, being sinless did not mean that He was oblivious to our needs. He was tempted in “all points” just as we are. He faced the same kind of temptations and trials (to an even greater extent than we ever will!) and did not sin. He knows what we face and how hard it is for us. He knows our struggles, and because He knows He can help! He is the “great High Priest” who has passed through the heavens. And, if we understand just how great He is as our High Priest, it should encourage us to “hold fast our confession.” After all, how could we give up on one who has done so much for us?
Because Jesus understands what we have to go through, we can have confidence to go to God boldly in prayer. We can approach His throne of grace and obtain mercy and grace to help us in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16). One of the greatest spiritual blessings that we have is the ability to talk to God, and ask for help in times of need. If we have true faith in Him, it is not hard to turn to Him when we have needs in our lives, whether it be struggling with the matters of life (financial issues and such) or whether we are struggling with trials or temptations that constantly attack us. Knowing that Jesus has faced what we have to face should make us more willing to go to Him and ask for help in our struggles.
Our High Priest will indeed help us. Speaking to God and asking for help is not an exercise in futility. He is active today, and He will help us if we are willing to rely upon Him, ask according to His will, and ask with faith, nothing doubting (James 1:6). Don’t ever forget to use the avenue of prayer that God has opened up to us, so that we can have the full comfort offered by Him, and use all of the spiritual tools and blessings that he has made available to us! (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
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Week 19, Day 1: Lest We Drift Away
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 3:1-4:16
Some thoughts from Friday’s reading…
There is a theme throughout the book of Hebrews that warns about the possibility of separating ourselves from God, or “falling away”. It is interesting that many in the religious world teach the doctrine of “Once Saved, Always Saved” which teaches that it is impossible to be lost once you are “saved”. However, the book of Hebrews clearly contradicts that idea, with such passages as Hebrews 2:1. The inspired writer tells us to give heed to the things that have been taught, “lest we drift away.”
If we are not vigilant in our attention to God’s word, it will not be long before we drift away from it. It will seem less important to us. We will care less about it. We will start to consider its teachings far less when we make decisions in our lives. But, usually one does not simply turn away from God and His word. Rather, they will “drift away” from it. They will simply begin to allow a bit of space between them and God’s will. But, it does not take long before you will end up being far away from where you want to be, and far away from the comfort and the direction that God’s will can provide.
I can remember fishing in a canoe on a lake. It appeared that the water was still, and that we would be able to sit over a hole of catfish all night and fish. But, without an anchor, it was not long until the canoe was drifting. And then it picked up speed. Before long, we were approaching the edge of the lake, where the water spilled over the dam. This happened without us hardly noticing it! Spiritually, the same thing happens. If we do not have our anchor set (the things that we have heard from the scriptures) then we will begin to drift away. We may not even notice it at first. Other Christians around us may not notice it either. But, that doesn’t change the fact that we are allowing distance to span between us and God!
Another important point is to understand that it is indeed us who drift away. God is steadfast and immovable. He is going to remain constant. He is like the shore of the lake, staying in the same place. But, we are the ones who will drift away from Him. He will not force us to stay near to Him. He has provided the anchor for us…we must choose to use it!
So, let us give the more earnest heed to those things that have been revealed, that we might make them our anchor of the soul, lest we drift away from our God!
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