Today’s reading: Gen 41:38–42:28, Heb 3:1–5:10, Eccles 10:1–9
Today’s theme: Jesus our High Priest
Today we learn that Jesus is better than the Priests and High Priests of man. Jesus is our High Priest; He makes intercession for us and because He became a man, He can sympathise with us, yet because He is God, He ever lives to intercede for us.
One of the greatest things we learn about is the exchange of obedience. Jesus’ obedient life has become the source of eternal life to all who will obey the word of Jesus, found in the gospel. The perfect life of Jesus becomes ours when we are born again.
Hebrews 3:1–5:10
Persevere together
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. Hebrews 3:13–14 (ESV)
Our perseverance as disciples of Jesus Christ is not a solitary experience, we are called to encourage one another so that we are not deceived and hardened by sin. We need each other.
Mix the word with active faith
For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. Hebrews 4:2 (ESV)
We must always read and listen to God’s word with an attitude that says “yes, I really believe this and will do something about it”. We must have faith.
Our goal
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. Hebrews 4:11 (ESV)
We have a goal, something to strive and press toward, something to work for – this is to enter into God’s rest and to hear Him say well done.
God’s active and powerful word
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
God’s word is alive and active, His word is not impotent but is powerful. We can trust and have confidence in God’s word to transform us, as much as we can in God himself, because He is true, He backs up and fulfils His word.
Jesus, our High Priest
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 4:16 (ESV)
Because we have a High Priest and He is one who understands and can sympathise with us, we can boldly come before the throne of grace.
Saved by the obedient life of Jesus
And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, Hebrews 5:9 (ESV)
Because of Jesus’ obedient life, He became the source of salvation for all who would obey the gospel. We are saved through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014