Scripture
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Observation
Christ became the perfect High Priest through His own blood sacrifice. This blood is of infinitely greater value than the blood of animals. The blood of bulls and goats cleanses us from outward actions; how much more will the blood of Christ cleanse our consciences!

All other high priests passed through a tabernacle made by human hands. But Christ went through a tabernacle that is in heaven and is not touched by the decay of creation.

So Christ us the mediator of a new covenant that those who are called may receive an eternal inheritance.

Application
There is a tendency in some parts of the church to add various parts of Old Testament religion such as Sabbath observances and other parts of the Law.

The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that this is pointless. We have a greater High Priest, a perfect sacrifice, a permanent tabernacle. Why would we want to go back?

To add to what Christ has already done is arrogance and folly. Hebrews describes these things as “acts that lead to death” or “lifeless rituals.”

We must remain thankful for what God has done for us in Christ. To add anything to this wondrous gift is to make it less precious.

Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you have done it all! Thank you. Amen

Scripture
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Observation
Under the old covenant, the priests were mortal human beings so their tenure was limited by death. Jesus lives forever, so His priesthood is permanent. Therefore He saves us completely because He is always there to intercede for us.

The other priests have to offer daily sacrifices for themselves and for the sins of the people. Jesus sacrificed Himself once for all sins. Jesus is perfect so His priesthood remains forever.

Application
Jesus is our perfect High Priest forever. He is the one-time sacrifice for all sins, the eternal intercessor for our salvation.

God’s love is that expansive- it covers every sin for all time. The only restriction is in us- will we receive the forgiveness which is our in Christ?

Prayer
Today Lord I receive your grace. I ask for your forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ. May your blood wash away all my sin. Amen.

Scripture
Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Observation
Jesus is our great High Priest. Every high priest is chosen from men to stand between people and God. The high priest offers sacrifices for sins and also deals gently with sinners because he understands their weakness.

A high priest is called by God, not appointed by self through pride and ambition.

Jesus was appointed by God to be our High Priest. He offered up prayers and petitions on our behalf, and became our perfect sacrifice to give eternal salvation to all who trust in Him.

Application
Jesus is our great High Priest. He is the one to whom every high priest in the history of Israel pointed.

Jesus makes intercession for us, forever pleading His own blood as the means of our forgiveness.

Jesus is both the High Priest who brings gifts to God, and the sacrifice that is offered to Him.

Now no other sacrifice is needed because Jesus has paid for every sin of every sinner.

Prayer
What a wonderful High Priest you are Lord Jesus. Please help me to walk in obedience and fellowship with you. Amen.

Scripture
Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Observation
The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces deeply into our spirit. The word judges our thoughts and intentions so that no one can hide from God.

We have a great high priest who is just like us, tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. Because of Him, Jesus the Son of God, we may boldly approach the throne of grace to find mercy, grace and help.

Application
God’s word brings both judgement and grace. The word reads us as much as we read it, and It sinks in deeply to reveal the true state of our soul.

But Christ who is both the living word and the great high priest, provides both grace and mercy, so that our sins, even the ones we hide most carefully, can be brought out and forgiven.

Jesus doesn’t just provide forgiveness for sin, He empowers us to stand form in Him and to resists sin’s claim on our life.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for the grace and mercy I find at your throne. Amen.

Scripture

God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.

Observation

We must pay attention to God’s word in order to not drift away from Him. The message of salvation was declared through the Lord Jesus , and God added His testimony through miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The coming world will be subject to people, not to angels. Like Jesus who was exalted and crowned with glory after His death, we too will be honoured by God.

Application

We can easily become discouraged, even drift away from faith altogether, if we do not keep our eyes fixed firmly on the Lord Jesus.

We need to meditate constantly on God’s word to understand who we are in Christ. Drifting away from Christ is the worst thing imaginable.

The gospel is true- testified by millions of christians who have found life in Him, and by God Himself in the provision of miracles and spiritual gifts.

How could we possibly turn our backs on all this?

Prayer

Lord grant me grace to stand firm in you, trusting you in every situation. Amen.