Scripture

The priests who collect tithes are men who died, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on.

Observation

The previous chapter ended with the statement that Jesus is an eternal high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek was both the king of Salem (Jerusalem) and also a priest of God. Melchizedek met Abraham after a battle. Melchizedek blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave him a tenth of all that he had captured in the battle.

The law of Moses required the priests of Levi to collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel. Melchizedek was not a descendant of Levi .

Melchizedek blessed Abraham, demonstrating that he was greater than Abraham .

The Levites who collected the tithes die, but Melchizedek is still alive. He is therefore greater than they are.

Application

The author of Hebrews is making the point that the priestly order of Melchizedek is greater than that of the priestly order established by the law of Moses. It is this order, Melchizedek’s order, to which Christ’s priesthood belongs.

The writer is using comparisons and analogies which were understandable to his readers, although we may struggle with them.

The crux of the message is this: Christ is greater than any human religious system, even the Old Covenant system established under Moses.

We do not have to go back to offering sacrifices or obeying the Old Testament law and requirements. Christ has set us free from all of this.

Because Christ is a higher priest, his sacrifice is effective for all people and covers all sins.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for dying for me and for atoning for all of my sins. Amen.

Scripture

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Observation

God promised with an oath to bless Abraham with descendants beyond number. Abraham waited patiently to receive what God had promised.

When people take an oath, it is considered to be binding. So God bound himself with an oath so that the recipients of His promise can be sure that He will never change His mind.

We who have fled to God for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong anchor for our souls because it leads us into God’s presence.

Application

We use the word hope in a very weak sense – we hope things will happen without any great certainty or expectation that they will.

In the Bible, the word hope means a confident expectation based on God’s promise.

God has promised that everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved. Because God is trustworthy and does not lie, we can be confident that we will go to heaven.

The promise and the hope are more than a future event. This hope leads us into the presence of God now. Jesus is with God, and we are with Jesus, so we are in God’s presence.

This is a hope that anchors the soul. I don’t have to be pushed to and fro by emotions or circumstances. No, my status with God is secure. He loves me and will not abandon me, ever.

I can walk with calm confidence in every situation, trusting in the power and grace of my heavenly Father.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for this strong hope that I have in you. You are my rock and my shield. Amen.

Scripture

Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe that it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.

Observation

Ground that soaks up the rain and bears a good crop for the farmer has God’s blessing. But if a field is useless, the farmer will burn it.

Even though the author is talking like this, he says that he doesn’t believe it applies to them. They are meant for better things, to walk in the fullness of salvation.

His great desire is that they continue to care for other believers. They will be following the example of those who inherit God’s promises.

Application

Sometimes Christian leaders can seem harsh and unloving to their followers. The leaders themselves can be discouraged because their people seem so far behind where they should be.

This is because many leaders have high ideals for their churches. They love God passionately and have such a close relationship with the Lord, and they want everyone to be in the same place they are so that they can have the same joy.

I sometimes am tempted to feel that way about my congregation. I fell let down sometimes by people who don’t live up to my expectations.

But then I think seriously about them, and I see people who love the Lord as passionately as I do, who use their gifts to bless other people, who share the gospel with unbelieving friends, and who give generously to the church and to missions.

Like the writer to the Hebrews, I have to say, ” I don’t really believe that this applies to you.” Of course, we all have room for improvement, but that is the Holy Spirit’s job, not the pastor’s.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the privileges of salvation and of serving you. Thank you for my brothers and sisters you share the journey with me. Amen.

Scripture

So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.

Observation

We have to stop going over the basics and move on to maturity. The fundamental teachings such as repentance from sin, placing faith In God, baptism, and laying on of hands don’t need to be repeated endlessly.

It is impossible to bring back to repentance people who were once walking with the Lord and then turn away from God. They have rejected the Son of God and are effectively nailing him to the cross again.

Application

It seems that many Christians are content to stick with the basics of doctrine. They are happy to hear endless repeat of how get saved, the importance of baptism, and so on.

I believe that we need to have a strong foundation for our faith so that we know why we are saved and where we are going.

In order to be mature in our faith, to be the over comers we are meant to be, we must move on. Preachers need to teach their congregations how to pray and read the Bible, how to tithe, how to move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts we read of numerous occasions where miracles and expulsion of evil spirits caused people to be amazed and to put their trust in the Lord .

Every Christian must be an effective minister in the word of God and the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to become more mature. Show me where I am lacking and where I can improve in my relationship with you. Amen.

Scripture

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Observation

Jesus is our great High Priest who has entered heaven. So let us hold firmly to the faith.

This High Priest has faced every temptation that we do, but remained without sin. We should boldly approach the throne of God to receive mercy and grace to help us .

Application

Because we know God loves us, we can approach His throne boldly. Boldly does not mean brashly or arrogantly. It means that we pray with confidence.

This confidence is not based on our own achievements, but on God’s grace. I have been forgiven by God. Jesus died for me. I am a child of the mighty, holy gracious God. Therefore, I can approach Him with confidence .

Our prayers don’t have to be theologically correct. We don’t have to pray answers. We come before God confidently and we lay our concerns, burdens, and cares at His feet .

Then we walk away metaphorically, knowing that God will supply what we need. We find mercy at the throne, but also grace from a God who loves us.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for your great love for me. Thank you for the privilege of being called your child. Thank for answering my prayers. Amen

Scripture

For the word of God is alive and powerful. it is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Observation

The rest of God is not just about a geographical location, living in the Promised Land. There is a special rest still to come. So we must be faithful in obeying God in order to enter this rest.

The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts through us, exposing our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing is hidden from God. We are naked and exposed before Him, and we are accountable to Him.

Application

God’s word is not a dusty boring tome. No, it is the word of life.

God’s word cuts through my excuses and justifications. It overcomes my fear and inadequacy. God’s word reveals what is in my heart and what is in God’s heart.

When this particular verse is quoted, it often feels like God is looking for every sin that lurks, just ready to rip us open for judgement and condemnation.

But God’s word is not like that. It does reveal sin, that is for sure. But it also reveals God’s mercy and His love.

Because God is my Father, I no longer feel afraid to come into His presence. I know that He loves me and He will not let me go. I see this love explained and described in the words of Scripture.

God is holy and He will judge every person. That also is clear in Scripture. But God’s love extends mercy to those who choose to follow Jesus.

Prayer

Holy Father thank you for your unfailing love. Thank you for your word which reveals you to me. Deepen my love for you and for your word. Amen

Scripture

For only we who believe can enter his rest.

Observation

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, but some will fail to enter it. This news that God has prepared His rest for us has been announced to us just as it was to the Old Testament believers.

Only we who believe can enter his rest. As for those who refuse to believe, God has said that they will never into his rest. God’s rest was prepared at the beginning of creation and it is there still for people to enter today.

Application

What is this rest that God has prepared for us ?

Firstly, it is the good news that we do not have to strive for salvation. We don’t have to fret about obeying laws and offering sacrifices for sin. We can rest in the assurance that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross has done away with the requirements of the law. We can relax because we know that God loves us with a never-ending love.

Secondly, the rest of God refers to the promise of Heaven. In the resurrected life of eternity, we will enjoy fellowship with God for ever. In our sin- infected world, life is beset with opposition, frustration, sickness, and death. In heaven, these things will no longer exist.

Rest not necessarily a cessation of labour. It is more related to the sense that our labour is fruitful and will not be undone by hostile forces, whether human, natural, or demonic.

We rest in God when we are at the centre of His will, both in this life and the next.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that even now I enjoy your rest. I don’t have to strive for acceptance because you have broken down the walls of separation in Christ. Amen

Scripture

You must warn each other every day while it is still “today” so that none of you will be deceived and hardened against God.

Observation

The Holy Spirit warns us not to harden our hearts when we hear the voice of God. The Israelites did this when they rebelled in the wilderness. God therefore took an oath that they would never enter His rest.

Therefore we must be careful not to harden our hearts lest we turn away from God. We must warn one another so that we can all be faithful and endure to the end.

It was God’s people who rebelled against Him and made Him angry. Because of unbelief they were unable to enter His rest.

Application

As a christian community we have a responsibility to one another to warn each other against sin.

God’s plan is not for a church you go to for an hour’s entertainment and spiritual food. No, His plan is that the church should be a strong and deep community where we encourage, exhort, and even warn each other of the dangers of sin .

This presupposes a level of transparency and mutual accountability that makes uncomfortable many people in our highly individualistic culture.

The truth is that we need other people in order to grow in our faith in the Lord. We need people that we can trust, be honest with, and share our deepest failings with.

This kind of community is a rare thing. Yet it is what every congregation should aspire to be.

Prayer

Lord, I pray for my church that you will make us into the community of faith you want us to become. Amen