Hebrews 7-10
Jesus is better!
Jesus is superior to anything or anyone else you might find in all of creation. Ordained by an oath from God Himself to a priesthood that is far superior to the Levitical priesthood, Christ offers Himself once for all, accomplishing what no one else could ever do. His own blood avails for our redemption where the blood of animals never could. With His Resurrection and Ascension, Jesus remains our Great High Priest forever, seated at the right hand of God.
Apart from Jesus, we have no hope. We are cut off from our holy and righteous God because of our sin against him. But Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself washes that sin away, letting us enter again into the presence of God Almighty. Jesus is the only Way, and Jesus is the entire Way. You can forget looking elsewhere.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:19-25
That Day is nearer now than when these words were written, so how about it? Who are you stirring up to love and good works? Who will you encourage today?
Jesus is better!
See also:
Amen, John!
He is our confidence, our hope, our hiding place, and our King, as Rev. Daniel pointed out on Sunday.
Are we ready? Of course not!
When we lived in Slovakia, I used to talk about our poor American understanding of what a king is. Although the urge toward independence from another’s rule is universal, I think, what we often forget is that a true king’s duties toward his people include provision for their well being, just laws for a peaceful society, and protection from foreign invaders.
And we truly have such a King and more in Jesus.
What are the responsibilities of a true king’s subjects? Loyalty, honor, obedience, etc.
I am sure I need to increase these in my life and be much more grateful to my King.