As we see the many aspects of Jesus' role as the High Priest throughout the book of Hebrews, I feel a special assurance in verse 25 of chapter 7. "Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." Jesus is ALWAYS there to intercede on our behalf.
Jesus did not take up this role lightly. He accepted the responsibility to always be there for us and to be the intermediary before the Father. This was not a role that could be filled from time to time as needed. It is a constant, never ending responsibility.
Have you ever failed to carry on with a task that was assigned to you which would always be yours to do? 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Do ever stop rejoicing? Do ever stop praying? Do you ever find yourself experiencing problems or trials that you don't give thanks for? It is part of the human nature to eventually give up. We are human, after all. But Jesus, fully human and fully God did not. He has not stopped saving those who come to God through him and he will not stop saving them.
Take Refuge that we ALWAYS have an intecessor in Jesus Christ, our High Priest
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Hebrews 6 - Hope
1 Corintians 13 ends with "Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." Faith, hope and love are the three greatest representations of God's grace. Hope is the grace that keeps us looking to the future for a better life and a better way. We find that future in Jesus, if we seek him, place our faith in him, allow ourselves to hope through him and love him -- giving up ourselves to him.
Hebrews 6:19 says, "We have this [hope]-like a sure and firm anchor of the soul-that enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." Like the anchor of a ship that will hold it steady in uncertain times, Jesus Christ, as our hope, provides the assurance that no matter what comes our way He is there to support us.
The author of Hebrews explains that Jesus is our High Priest having earned that role through a blameless life culimnating in suffering and sacrifice. As our High Priest, he has the right to go to the Father and offer himself in our place. In doing so, he provides us with the hope that we too can one day be with him in glory.
Take Refuge in the hope we have which is Jesus!
Hebrews 6:19 says, "We have this [hope]-like a sure and firm anchor of the soul-that enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." Like the anchor of a ship that will hold it steady in uncertain times, Jesus Christ, as our hope, provides the assurance that no matter what comes our way He is there to support us.
The author of Hebrews explains that Jesus is our High Priest having earned that role through a blameless life culimnating in suffering and sacrifice. As our High Priest, he has the right to go to the Father and offer himself in our place. In doing so, he provides us with the hope that we too can one day be with him in glory.
Take Refuge in the hope we have which is Jesus!
Hebrews 5 - Suffering
How many times have you complained about your suffering and the trials you have faced? We often look at ourselves and grouse about how bad we have it. Look at the description of Jesus in Hebrews 5 and how He responded to suffering.
Hebrews 5:7-9 (HCSB), "During His earthly life, He offered prayers and appeals, with loud cries and tears, to the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Though a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him"
Christ, though the Son of God whose rightful place was with the Father in Heaven, learned obedience through suffering. God, the Father, could have saved him from death, but the Father knew that the Son must be the sacrifice for our sins. While Jesus' prayers were heard because of his reverence for the Father, Jesus always sought the Father's will. Even in Gethsemane when he prayed, "... My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39 - HCSB). Even as he asked for mercy, he knew that it was more important for him to suffer and seek the Father's will.
Through his suffering, our sins are covered. He learned obedience and taught obedience by looking to the Father and seeking His will above all. Jesus was fully human, tempted and tested by all things human. Let us learn from his obedience.
Take Refuge in a Saviour willing to give up his right and his will and who chose suffering, even unto death, for you and me so that we might one day be with Him in glory.
Hebrews 5:7-9 (HCSB), "During His earthly life, He offered prayers and appeals, with loud cries and tears, to the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Though a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him"
Christ, though the Son of God whose rightful place was with the Father in Heaven, learned obedience through suffering. God, the Father, could have saved him from death, but the Father knew that the Son must be the sacrifice for our sins. While Jesus' prayers were heard because of his reverence for the Father, Jesus always sought the Father's will. Even in Gethsemane when he prayed, "... My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39 - HCSB). Even as he asked for mercy, he knew that it was more important for him to suffer and seek the Father's will.
Through his suffering, our sins are covered. He learned obedience and taught obedience by looking to the Father and seeking His will above all. Jesus was fully human, tempted and tested by all things human. Let us learn from his obedience.
Take Refuge in a Saviour willing to give up his right and his will and who chose suffering, even unto death, for you and me so that we might one day be with Him in glory.
Hebrews 4 - The High Priest
Hebrews 4:14-15 (HCSB), "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens -- Jesus the Son of God -- let us hold fast to the confession. For we do no have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin."
The same verses in The Message say, "Now that we know what we have -- Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God -- let's not let it slip through our finders. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all -- all but sin."
Jesus came to earth as the sacrifice to pay the price of death required for our sins. He came knowing what he had to do and he did it without seeing immediate results for his actions. He was fully human and experienced the same temptations and weaknesses as are common to man. Yet he did not sin!!!!
In the Jewish culture, the role of high priest (among others) was to offer sacrifice for himself, the priesthood and all of the nation of Israel. He had both daily offerings to make as well as the annual offering on The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur when he entered the Holy of Holies.
Hebrews 7:26-27 says of Jesus, "For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn't need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do - first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when he offered Himself."
Take Refuge the Jesus is your High Priest. Blameless and able to stand before God on your behalf.
The same verses in The Message say, "Now that we know what we have -- Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God -- let's not let it slip through our finders. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all -- all but sin."
Jesus came to earth as the sacrifice to pay the price of death required for our sins. He came knowing what he had to do and he did it without seeing immediate results for his actions. He was fully human and experienced the same temptations and weaknesses as are common to man. Yet he did not sin!!!!
In the Jewish culture, the role of high priest (among others) was to offer sacrifice for himself, the priesthood and all of the nation of Israel. He had both daily offerings to make as well as the annual offering on The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur when he entered the Holy of Holies.
Hebrews 7:26-27 says of Jesus, "For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn't need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do - first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when he offered Himself."
Take Refuge the Jesus is your High Priest. Blameless and able to stand before God on your behalf.
Hebrews 3 - The Builder
Hebrews 3:4 (HCSB) "Now every house is built by somene, but the One who built everything is God." God is the master builder.
Before building a house or any structure, the builder must first plan the process. No house or building is built just on a whim. Every one has some form of architectural plan. Be it blue prints or just a plan written on paper, there is a plan.
God has a plan for each and every one of us. Psalm 139:13 (HCSB) says, "For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb." My daughter is an avid knitter and crocheter. One day, when discussing this verse, she observed, "In order to knit something, every inch of the thread has to come through your hands. If God knit us, then every cell of our body must go through His hands before we are born."
And so it is, the builder of everything builds with a plan. And, in executing that plan, every part of your life is filtered through His hands.
Take Refuge in the builder of everything!
Before building a house or any structure, the builder must first plan the process. No house or building is built just on a whim. Every one has some form of architectural plan. Be it blue prints or just a plan written on paper, there is a plan.
God has a plan for each and every one of us. Psalm 139:13 (HCSB) says, "For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb." My daughter is an avid knitter and crocheter. One day, when discussing this verse, she observed, "In order to knit something, every inch of the thread has to come through your hands. If God knit us, then every cell of our body must go through His hands before we are born."
And so it is, the builder of everything builds with a plan. And, in executing that plan, every part of your life is filtered through His hands.
Take Refuge in the builder of everything!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Hebrews 2 - What is Man?
Hebrews 2:6 (HCSB) "What is man, that You remember him, or the son of man, that You care for him?" This verse is a reference to Psalm 8 which is the source for one of my favorite choir anthems, "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name". In the Psalm, David was praising God and ask the rhetorical question of why God would care about man. David's response is as if to say "I'll never understand..." and concluding in Psalm 8:9 (HCSB), "Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth!"
What we see in Hebrews is the answer to the rhetorical question. A savior who understood that in order for him to be a sacrifice for us, He had to become like us in every way. Hebrews 2:9-10 (HCSB), "But we do see Jesus- made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God's grace He might taste death for everyone-crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death. For it was fitting, in bringing many sons to glory, that He, for whom and through whom all things exist, should make the source of their salvation perfect through sufferings."
The author of Hebrews goes on to show us a glimpse into the heart of Jesus in 2:14-15 (HCSB), "Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, He also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death-that is, the Devil- and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death." Matthew Henry summarizes this passage by saying, "Here the wonderful love of God appeared, that, when Christ knew what he must suffer in our nature, and how he must die in it, yet he readily took it upon him. And this atonement made way for his people's deliverance from Satan's bondage, and for the pardon of their sins through faith."
Take refuge! We have a Savior that understood that he too must be like man, "a little lower than the angels," so that he could be the purging sacrifice for our sins. Oh God, how truly majestic is your name!
What we see in Hebrews is the answer to the rhetorical question. A savior who understood that in order for him to be a sacrifice for us, He had to become like us in every way. Hebrews 2:9-10 (HCSB), "But we do see Jesus- made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God's grace He might taste death for everyone-crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death. For it was fitting, in bringing many sons to glory, that He, for whom and through whom all things exist, should make the source of their salvation perfect through sufferings."
The author of Hebrews goes on to show us a glimpse into the heart of Jesus in 2:14-15 (HCSB), "Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, He also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death-that is, the Devil- and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death." Matthew Henry summarizes this passage by saying, "Here the wonderful love of God appeared, that, when Christ knew what he must suffer in our nature, and how he must die in it, yet he readily took it upon him. And this atonement made way for his people's deliverance from Satan's bondage, and for the pardon of their sins through faith."
Take refuge! We have a Savior that understood that he too must be like man, "a little lower than the angels," so that he could be the purging sacrifice for our sins. Oh God, how truly majestic is your name!
Hebrews 1 - Jesus the Son
As I was looking forward to the daily readings (and bloggings) on Hebrews, I was almost giddy with excitement and frozen with fear at the same time. While Hebrews is for believers an exciting exposition about the many attributes of Jesus, it is also a source of many very deep thoughts about the everlasting Son of God. In Matthew Henry's commentary, he writes, "This epistle shows Christ as the end, foundation, body, and truth of the figures of the law, which of themselves were no virtue for the soul. The great truth set forth in this epistle is that Jesus of Nazareth is the true God."
Take refuge my friend that the Jesus that I am talking about daily is the "true God."
One of my favorite phrases from Matthew Henry's commentary comes from the the knowledge of Jesus Christ is the very marrow and kernel of all the Scriptures.
He is the radiance of His glory, the exact expression of His nature, and He sustains all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Take refuge my friend that the Jesus that I am talking about daily is the "true God."
One of my favorite phrases from Matthew Henry's commentary comes from the the knowledge of Jesus Christ is the very marrow and kernel of all the Scriptures.
He is the radiance of His glory, the exact expression of His nature, and He sustains all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Philemon - A Plea for Onesimus
In Paul's letter to Philemon, he appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Matthew Henry writes in his commentary, "Onesimus was the slave of Philemon: having run away from his master, he went to Rome, where he was converted to the Christian faith, by the word as set forth by Paul, who kept him till his conduct proved the truth and sincerity of his conversion. He wished to repair the injury he had done to his master, but fearing the punishment his offence deserved might be inflicted, he entreated the apostle to write to Philemon."
In respone, Paul appealed to Philemon "... accept him as you would me. And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it" (Philemon 1:17-19a HCSB).
Taking refuge in God is about trusting Him. As Martin Luther said "Even as Christ did for us with God the Father, thus Paul also does for Onesimus with Philemon." Christ accepted the debt for our sin and presented Himself to the Father as the payment for a debt that we could not pay.
In respone, Paul appealed to Philemon "... accept him as you would me. And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it" (Philemon 1:17-19a HCSB).
Taking refuge in God is about trusting Him. As Martin Luther said "Even as Christ did for us with God the Father, thus Paul also does for Onesimus with Philemon." Christ accepted the debt for our sin and presented Himself to the Father as the payment for a debt that we could not pay.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Titus 3 - God's Mercy
As Paul continues writing to Titus about the behavior of the believers, he once again gives us insight into the Father's heart. Titus 3:3-7 (HCSB)compares where we are coming from and where God wants us to be.
3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, captives of various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
4 But when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Savior,
5 He saved us — not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
6 This [Spirit] He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
Regardless of where we start from, we can take refuge that God loves us and is willing to save us, not because of what we have done, but because He has mercy.
I personally find this to be a wonderful passage because we see all parts of the Trinity working in our lives. God's love, Jesus's sacrifice providing justification and the Holy Spirt's regeneration and renewing of our spirit all work together to complete us as "heirs with the hope of eternal life." I know that Paul's description of sinful men in verse 3 is true in my life and I thank God that he had mercy on me.
Take Refuge in God's Mercy!
3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, captives of various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
4 But when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Savior,
5 He saved us — not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
6 This [Spirit] He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
Regardless of where we start from, we can take refuge that God loves us and is willing to save us, not because of what we have done, but because He has mercy.
I personally find this to be a wonderful passage because we see all parts of the Trinity working in our lives. God's love, Jesus's sacrifice providing justification and the Holy Spirt's regeneration and renewing of our spirit all work together to complete us as "heirs with the hope of eternal life." I know that Paul's description of sinful men in verse 3 is true in my life and I thank God that he had mercy on me.
Take Refuge in God's Mercy!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Titus 2 - He Gave Himself
Titus 2 provides excellent descriptions of how believers should behave. Whether they be older men, younger men, older women, younger women or slaves. All are given instruction on the traits that should be displayed "... so that God's message will not be slandered." (Titus 2:5b HCSB) It is apparent that the purpose of the instruction to Titus for the people of the church is to allow others to see God in them. Or, as it is written in the Message, "We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior."
But what is the message that God doesn't want slandered? Paul tells us in verse 14 (HCSB), "He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works." God gave HIMSELF for us!!!!! We didn't deserve it. We shouldn't have expected it. We couldn't even imagine how He could do it, but God GAVE Himself FOR US!!!
Take Refuge!!!! God loves each of us so much that HE gave HIMSELF for us! If you haven't experienced the unconditional love of God, please find a pastor at a local church, or a friend who is a Christian and ask them to tell you about their relationship with the living God. If you can't find one, contact me here through this blog and I'll help you find someone. God sent is Son, to die for you and for me so that He could pay the price of our sins and we could be restored to a relationship with our loving Father. When you make that decision, to trust Jesus Christ as your saviour, then -- and only then -- will you truly understand what it is to take refuge in God.
But what is the message that God doesn't want slandered? Paul tells us in verse 14 (HCSB), "He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works." God gave HIMSELF for us!!!!! We didn't deserve it. We shouldn't have expected it. We couldn't even imagine how He could do it, but God GAVE Himself FOR US!!!
Take Refuge!!!! God loves each of us so much that HE gave HIMSELF for us! If you haven't experienced the unconditional love of God, please find a pastor at a local church, or a friend who is a Christian and ask them to tell you about their relationship with the living God. If you can't find one, contact me here through this blog and I'll help you find someone. God sent is Son, to die for you and for me so that He could pay the price of our sins and we could be restored to a relationship with our loving Father. When you make that decision, to trust Jesus Christ as your saviour, then -- and only then -- will you truly understand what it is to take refuge in God.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Titus 1 - Being God's Manager
We started a 30-day challenge with the Men's group at my church this week. The challenge is to read a chapter a day and then text or email two accountability partners to confirm that you read your chapter.
The vision is from Isaiah 55:11, "...My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and will prosper in what I send it [to do]." As men study God's word, He will do mighty things through them.
Today I started with Titus 1. In keeping with the theme of this blog -- discovering how we can take refuge in God -- I find Paul's instructions to Titus very challenging. In Titus 1:7-9, Paul describes an overeseer as "God's manager" and his requirements are that he " must be blameless, not arrogant, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it."
You may be asking, "How do you get 'take refuge' from that?" Imagine with me that you are working at your job for a manger described as "blameless, not arrogant, not quick tempered ... hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, ... self-controlled" Would you not enjoy working for that type of manager? What about living in a household with a person like this? We might describe this person as even tempered, reasonable, loving and even compassionate. Now take that same perception from work or home and apply it to who God wants to provide as an elder, overseer, leader in your church. We can take refuge, knowing that God's desire for those who would be a source of leaderhsip and guidance to the church are of a character that we as individuals would enjoy living and working with on a daily basis.
God loves us so much, that He not only gave His Son for us, He also provided instruction for every part of our life. Not only the character that we should display, but also the character of those who would lead us within our church. Take another look at the description of an overseer. Would you qualify? If not, I challenge you to ask God to lead you to someone who does. Once you have found that person, ask them to pray with you and even to mentor you as you grow in your faith and character.
Take refuge that God wants the best for you and wants you to be the best that you can be. Seek to grow in faith and character as you seek to be more like Christ every day.
The vision is from Isaiah 55:11, "...My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and will prosper in what I send it [to do]." As men study God's word, He will do mighty things through them.
Today I started with Titus 1. In keeping with the theme of this blog -- discovering how we can take refuge in God -- I find Paul's instructions to Titus very challenging. In Titus 1:7-9, Paul describes an overeseer as "God's manager" and his requirements are that he " must be blameless, not arrogant, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it."
You may be asking, "How do you get 'take refuge' from that?" Imagine with me that you are working at your job for a manger described as "blameless, not arrogant, not quick tempered ... hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, ... self-controlled" Would you not enjoy working for that type of manager? What about living in a household with a person like this? We might describe this person as even tempered, reasonable, loving and even compassionate. Now take that same perception from work or home and apply it to who God wants to provide as an elder, overseer, leader in your church. We can take refuge, knowing that God's desire for those who would be a source of leaderhsip and guidance to the church are of a character that we as individuals would enjoy living and working with on a daily basis.
God loves us so much, that He not only gave His Son for us, He also provided instruction for every part of our life. Not only the character that we should display, but also the character of those who would lead us within our church. Take another look at the description of an overseer. Would you qualify? If not, I challenge you to ask God to lead you to someone who does. Once you have found that person, ask them to pray with you and even to mentor you as you grow in your faith and character.
Take refuge that God wants the best for you and wants you to be the best that you can be. Seek to grow in faith and character as you seek to be more like Christ every day.
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