Hebrews 9 - 1.27.25

Scripture

Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)

“so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

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Observation

This chapter is comparing what worship looked like through the old covenant, to how it changed because of the blood of Christ.

The high priest was the only one who could enter the inner room of the tabernacle, every year with blood, to offer up for his sins and the sins of others (vs. 7)

However, Jesus’ sacrifice started the New Covenant and He became our new High Priest! The sacrifice of His perfect blood paid the penalty of all past, present and future sins! It had to be done only once, instead of every year in the old covenant, from the earthly high priest. Thank You Jesus and praise God!

Application

Praise God for being the ultimate sacrifice for our sins!

Build our hope and praise on Jesus, who sacrificed for our sins.  He will also return a 2nd time, so let’s continue to be hopeful for that as we continue to work for Him and bring others with us!

I love the words of this hymn:

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for taking the penalty of my sins, past, present and future! Thank You for doing away with the Old Covenant, where only priests could enter your Holy Place and had to offer blood atonement for the people’s sins every single year! I’m so grateful for the New Covenant where your sacrifice of perfect blood was sufficient for me! You are worthy of my praise always! I confess that I sometimes take for granted how much You have done for me. Help me to always remember. I pray for myself and my church family, that we would continue to be grateful for Your sacrifice and hopeful for Your promised 2nd return. In Your name I pray Jesus, Amen. 

- Michelle Gaddi

Hebrews 6 - 1.24.25

Scripture: ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

Observation:

The word anchor stood out to me.  It is something that keeps a vessel from drifting. Likewise hope will keep us from straying.  It says this hope is an anchor for our soul, firm and secure. With hope we are unmovable. 

I like the way The Passion Translation puts it: “We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. Our anchor of hope is fastened to the mercy seat in the heavenly realm beyond the sacred threshold and where Jesus, our forerunner, has gone in before us. He is now and forever our royal Priest like Melchizedek.” Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-20 ‭TPT‬‬

God gives us so many things to hope in. What is the author referring to here?  It is God’s promises found in His Word. The most important one is Jesus is our High Priest and has entered the inner Sanctuary on our behalf. The inner Sanctuary was the place of sacrifice and God’s presence.  He is in the order of Melchizedek who is a “type” or foreshadowing of Jesus. Some even think he could possibly be Jesus Himself. He had an interaction with Abraham after he rescued people who had been taken captive including Lot his nephew. 

 “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”  Genesis‬ ‭14‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So many amazing things in this Scripture too. I noticed for the first time: Melchizedek brought bread and wine, the elements of communion. He also spoke blessing over him. 

Application:

So many things try to pull us away from God or get us off course. I am so glad we have hope as an anchor and a High Priest who has gone before us. Romans 8 talks about the hope we have and mentions that the Holy Spirit also as a priest intercedes for us. How amazing is that? I want to fix my eyes daily on this hope and stay on the path God has prepared for me. 

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for all you have done to set your people free. There are so many promises in your Word. You ordained your son as our High Priest and He died to redeem us. We now have your Spirit as our guide and comforter. Thank you that as I hope in you, I will be anchored and secure. Please alert me when I start to stray. May I glorify you in all I do.  Amen 

- Cindy Howard

Hebrews 5 - 01.23.25

SCRIPTURE

“In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.””

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

OBSERVATION

Jesus is more than a Priest, more than a high Priest, Jesus is the Great High Priest.

The first place we find the word used (Genesis 14:18) is upon Abraham’s return from battle to rescue his nephew Lot. Melchizedek, the King of Salem, and Priest of the Most High God, came out to bless Abraham and the God who had given him the victory. In return for the blessing, Abraham gave Melchizedek 10% of all the spoils of the war.

Years later Abraham’s great-grandson, Levi was singled out to be the father of a priestly tribe (Levites).

The priests were responsible for making intercession to God for the people by offering the many sacrifices that the law required.

Among the priests, one was selected as the High Priest, once a Year, to enter into the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement to place the blood of the sacrifice on the Ark of the Covenant. By these daily and yearly sacrifices, the sins of the people were temporarily covered until the Messiah came to take away their sins.

Jesus, though God from eternity, became a man in order to suffer death and serve as our High Priest (Hebrews 2:9). As a man, He was subject to all the weaknesses and temptations that we are, so that He can personally relate to us in all of our struggles. Jesus only had to offer HIS Sacrifice ONCE, gaining eternal redemption for ALL who come to GOD Through Him—so He is called our “Great High Priest” in (Hebrews 4:14).

APPLICATION

COME-to Jesus—our ONE and ONLY Mediator

God hates sin. Sin stands between us and God.

But God LOVES us so much—HE Provided a WAY back to HIM.

JESUS-who paid the price for OUR sin.

SO-that ANYONE who RECEIVES the FORGIVENESS that JESUS freely offers by Confessing Jesus as LORD and Believing in their Heart that God Raised Him from the dead—will Be Saved. (Romans 10:9)

Christianity is Not a religion…it is a relationship with a very real and Living God who cares deeply for us. Who understands everything we are experiencing. Who created us FOR relationship. Who CREATED us to EXPERIENCE a FULL and POWER-FILLED

SUPERNATURAL Life with Him.

Jesus WILL intercede for us. Jesus IS interceding for us NOW (Hebrews 7:25)

““Come to ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I WILL give you REST.

Take my yoke upon you and LEARN from me, for I AM gentle and humble in heart,

and you WILL find rest for your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is LIGHT.””

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Love. Thank You for the Cross. Thank You for forgiving my sins and for new mercies every morning. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit and Thank You that You choose to partner with every single believer. Once we’re saved that’s not the end, it’s the beginning of an adventure that continues to GROW in ways I continue to be amazed at—in my own journey and watching others. You are such a GOOD Father.

Pour out Your Spirit on us Lord. Pour out Your Spirit for Your glory. May we

be powerful witnesses, Jesus,  testifying in Your Name…

Jesus IS the SAME-TODAY, Tomorrow, and Forever. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka