July 26, 2021 — A Study on the Book of Hebrews

 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.” Hebrews 7:26-28

“This is one of the central ideas of Hebrews, and it is a unique contribution in the New Testament to our understanding of Jesus. Our passage has two main points: 1) Because Jesus is not subject to death, in contrast to the earthly priests, as the heavenly high priest he is able to serve and offer salvation perpetually; 2) Jesus only had to sacrifice himself once for all people, in contrast to the repeated sacrifices made by the earthly priests.

Earthly priests obviously die, so their priesthood is of limited duration, but because of his resurrection and exaltation to God’s right hand, Jesus’ priesthood will have no end. This eternal status thus provides a different order of salvation than that available through the traditional priesthood — the salvation offered by Jesus is eternal, because his intercession on our behalf will never cease.” (workingpreacher.org, Scott Shauf, October 28, 2021)  

Jesus, as the last high priest that we need, has been set apart and fulfills for us all the reconciliation we need. There is no other priest we need who takes away our sin. There is nothing we need to do that Jesus has not already done for us. As such, our ultimate goal is not just belief, but a faith in the one we call our High Priest that moves us to action. It is one thing to say “I believe”. It is another thing to live in the manner that says Jesus is our High Priest and Lord.

Living out our faith each and every day requires a life of prayer, praise and thanksgiving. We should wake up with a prayer, recite prayers throughout the day, and end the day with a prayer. In my devotion for July 24 I offered to you Luther’s morning prayer. Today I give you his evening prayer.

LUTHER’S EVENING PRAYER – In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Pastor Dave