Hebrews 7: Jesus the High Priest

Jesus the High Priest

Jesus was not equal to High Priests. If anyone sees Jesus as just another prophet then they are sadly mistaken. If you read the entire chapter of Hebrews (especially Hebrews 7:11-25) you will see how the writer explains in context how Abraham had a high priest to whom he would pay tithes and that priest was one of a number that would be named the High Priest (one at a time) and that also allowed for the belief that perfection could be attained this way (I hope I am understanding this correctly). Now, if that is the only way perfection can be attained then how did Jesus do it? He didn't go through the same process as the other High Priests. And it was written "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever'" in reference to Jesus. Therefore when we comes across Hebrews 7:27 we know that Jesus did not have to pay tithes or offer any kind of sacrifice to God for his sins (because he was sinless) we know that Jesus died for our sins so that we can be reconciled to God.

PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!

Friday Focus #32

A Miracle for the Empty (Inspired by Kerry Shook)

There are relationships out there (my favorite topic) that are suffering. They are hurting. They are empty. They need healing and hope. There has been damage done and the damage needs to be repaired. How does that repair get started? Focus on being loving like Jesus. This is not conditional love that says I will love you if you will love me. It is not "I will be loving only if you reciprocate." This is the same love Christ has for us as he died for our sins. It was not I will die for you if you all follow me. It is "I am dying for you to be reunited with God."
 

In Luke 5:1-11 we have Jesus calling (claiming) his first disciples. He sits in Simon's boat and teaches the word of God to people and then tells Simon to cast his nets into the deep. Simon says that they had worked all night and were tired from catching nothing but he listened to Jesus anyway. That sounds like those times in relationships where you have been doing your part and are exhausted and have been getting ready to "hang it up." You have stopped being loving, caring and nurturing. But Jesus says "give it another shot." When Simon gave it another shot he caught so many fish he needed help bringing them all in. This sounds like when the lull in the relationship is over and you and/or your friend, spouse, significant other both are seeking to be loving again despite being exhausted.

This is what our Christian walk is. It is still seeking to honor God and loving people selflessly even when we are not "feeling up to it." When we still do what God wants from us He will bless us. It may not come as immediately as in this retelling of Jesus and the disciples. But the interesting thing is there is no timetable in the story as to how long it took Simon Peter to catch all of those fish. It could have been 5 seconds or 5 hours. Will you endure and be patient awaiting the blessing while still doing what honors God? Or will you do what you want to get the results you wants faster? It's all up to you. But if you want stronger relationships, follow God's will. 

PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!

John 8- Throwing Stones

Throwing Stones

Isn't interesting that when we see someone doing wrong we want to jump down their throats and tell them how wrong they are for what they did? Why do people get so angry about the sin of others? Do they get that mad at your their own sin?  

In this John 8:1-11, we see a woman brought before Jesus. She was caught in the act of adultery. They were asking what should they do with her as the law of Moses said that she should be stoned. Jesus knelt down and wrote in the dirt and told them that whoever was without sin should be the first one to throw a stone at her. We don't know what Jesus was writing. He could have been writing the sins of the men who brought her to Jesus or he may have been writing the names of the men she had been with that could have included the accusing men's names as well. We don't know. But we do know that Jesus did not want us to throw stones (physical or verbal) at people. After each man left, Jesus asked her where the accusers were and then he told her "Go and sin no more." He did not say "let and let live" or "to each his own." He said go and sin no more. Gentle. Direct. Compassionate.

We can learn from Jesus in this example as well. When people sin by lifestyle or by slip up, condemning them is not the way to get them to turn their life around. The don't need to be reminded of their sin. They need a scriptural response to their sin and compassion. If they mess up, that is not your job to fix them. It is your command from God to love them the same way Jesus loved us by dying for us selflessly. Think about that the next time You get outraged at a sin. Maybe that person just need a Christ like hug and God given direction. Try it. Condemnation turns people away from God.

PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!