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TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

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.

(539) 24 June : Proverbs 25v15 / Hebrews 9:1-10:18 / Psalm 111v2-5

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
There are many ways life in Christ is better than life under the Old Testament. Then, animals were sacrificed, only effecting an external cleansing that enabled the people to remain in the vicinity of God's presence in the tabernacle (later temple) without his wrath breaking out at them (9v13). Moreover, the sacrifices had to be given repeatedly, showing that they were insufficient to properly deal with sin as it is continually committed (10v1-2). And even the priests had to offer sacrifices for themselves, showing that the way to the ultimate "Most Holy Place" was not yet revealed, presumably because it could never be entered by priests who lacked full and final atonement for their sin (9v6-10). But now Christ has come all has changed: By offering himself, he is a fitting sacrifice that cleanses the worshipper internally as well as externally. Morover, in offering himself once for all time he achieves an eternal (and so everlasting) redemption for all sins, past, present and future. This means that the believer need no longer suffer under a fearful awareness of their sin if they have entrusted themselves to him. Finally, as the perfect priest who has gone into heaven with his sacrifice, Christ shows that the way to heaven as God's Most Holy Place is open to any who follow him. The conclusion is simple: "Sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary" (10v18), and the readers should not therefore drift back to Judaism. All this challenges the Roman Catholic ideas that in communion, the bread and wine literally become Christ's body and blood that need to be offered again to God by the priest. But there is also much to encourage us that our sin really is fully paid for. Our access to heaven and so to God is therefore certain! As you read note the argument.
Hebrews 9:1-10:18

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.