Daily Reading: Hebrews 8
Scripture Focus: Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. (Hebrews 8:1-2)
Devotional Thought: Have you ever completed a Bible study of the Old Testament books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers? This may not sound thrilling at first, but it is a very exciting and rewarding study. In these books we learn of God’s people being delivered from slavery, receiving the Law, seeing the holy and glorious character of God, building the Tabernacle, and initiating the sacrifices. Some of these accounts make for good reading on their own, but most importantly, all of them point to Jesus.
Hebrews 8 gives us a glimpse of this, as the author tells us why the priesthood was originally created in the times of the exodus. The Tabernacle, the holy things in the Tabernacle, the priesthood and the sacrifices, were all a shadow of heavenly things. Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest, is the fulfillment of these symbols. There is no longer any condemnation for those who have put their faith in Christ, as Paul says in Romans 8:34. “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
For those of us who are tempted to focus only on the New Testament, maybe including some Psalms occasionally, we need to be reminded of the fact that God’s Word tells a complete story from beginning to end. We cannot expect to fully understand the gospels without an understanding of God as he reveals himself through the Old Testament. Strive to understand the complete story – the story of God’s love and his redemption of the world. The richness of the gospels will increase as you do so!
Jenny
Prayer: God, you are amazingly perfect, from beginning to end. Your story for us is richer than we can ever imagine, but we desire to see glimpses of the perfection, the completeness, and the beauty of your love. Please give us a desire for you and for your Word.
Psalm of the Day: 16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers. 19 "You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. 22 "Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!" (Psalms 50:16-23)
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