Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
A shorter passage but a detailed point. Christians are not under the Mosaic covenant agreement that God made with Israel and that is recorded from Exodus to Deuteronomy. That was always to be temporary, as a "shadow" that gave an outline of what was to come in the gospel. So the priests offering gifts in the tabernacle (later the temple) patterned how Jesus would one day offer himself in heaven. And what proves Jesus' priestly ministry superior is not just that it is done in heaven itself, but that it is established on better priomises. The Hebrew people could not remain faithful to God on the basis of the first covenant, because although its laws were good their hearts were not, and so they kept turning from them (8v8-9). By doing so, they were of course turning from God and making themselves subject to his anger. So God promised that he would one day write his laws on their minds and hearts - another way of saying he would give them a desire and ability to live by them. And this would mean that they would all know him and his will. More than that, they would be forgiven whatever sins they committed. These are the better promises that are fulfilled for us in Christ. And they mean that although every law of the Old Testament has something to teach us about life with him, we are not required to keep the law as a system - not least because it is insufficient for sinners to know and love God. And the point of this in the book of Hebrews, is that we should not therefore be enticed away from Jesus and back to Judaism, the law and the sort of rituals that went with it. The time of priests and sanctuaries is over! As you read note what we have in Jesus and why it is such good news.
Hebrews 8
Hebrews 8
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.