Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
THE COMPASSIONATE TOUCH OF JESUS CHRIST THAT SANTIFICES
Bible portion Hebrews:13: 8-16Verse: 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, even forever.
Devotional Text
This passage for devotion should be understood in the light of the whole chapter describing the way the leaders preached Christ of the new covenant.. Manner in which they preached, should have manifested the behavior and life style pursued by the teachings of the gospel. The word that they ministered must have been Christ oriented, and should have the teaching based on the faith in Christ. The same Christ who is the perfector and author of faith, when preached to the people, it is accepted by them.. In that context one should understand that same unchangeable, everlasting Christ is same yesterday today and tomorrow and for ever. A believer should hold on to the Christ who is everlasting, and must not be carried over by various teachings of old covenant Judaizers. The writer of Hebrews warned the new Hebrew believers , not to let the strange and false teachings the few Jewish christians who insisted people to follow the old covenant customs, which can carry away the people from the church life under the new covenant.
Ceremonial food observances of the old covenant customs were used by few Jewish Christians. It was carried over by Hebrew believers and prevented them from enjoying grace which will be available only by enjoying in Christ and the new covenant. The writer argued that the sin offering of the old covenant , its necessity for yearly atonement and the ceremonial food , is not something followers of Christ should look forward , instead believe in Christ , obedience to His Father's will, and in the salfivic death on the cross for the atonement of all human race. The blood of Christ , is the real sin offering shed for our redemption and the body of Christ sacrificed for us outside the gate of the city of Jerusalem, is our hope. Because of His heavenly ministry and high priesthood, Jesus is able to sanctify everyone, who.believes in his atonement and the salvific redemption he earned for us by Grace alone.
Christ's death outside Jerusalem represented the removal of sin, as it was like the removal of bodies of sacrificed amimals outside the city gate. As he died in disgrace outside the city, so the believers should be willing to be disgraced by separating themselves from the Jewish ceremonial practices to Christ alone. In our church life , as we enjoy the unchanging Jesus, we should offer spiritual sacrifices to God, by praising and singing hymns to Father God through Christ.
Lastly, author of Hebrews is also reminding us to be in fellowship with others, giving alms to saints and the needy brethren. This is vital to Church life, and is considered as a sacrifice to the Lord.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, strengthen our church life , in worshipping and praising you alone always, remember your sacrifice and atonement for our redemption, which is once and for all for sins of the humanity present, past and future. Thank you for the promise that those who repent and accept you as our savior, have no condemnation any more. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Sanctified and redeemed believers must offer sacrifce to God by being regular worshippers, partakers of His body and blood, praising and singing to the Lord and giving to the needs of the brethren..
Dr.John K.Thomas Tabor MTC,New York
This passage for devotion should be understood in the light of the whole chapter describing the way the leaders preached Christ of the new covenant.. Manner in which they preached, should have manifested the behavior and life style pursued by the teachings of the gospel. The word that they ministered must have been Christ oriented, and should have the teaching based on the faith in Christ. The same Christ who is the perfector and author of faith, when preached to the people, it is accepted by them.. In that context one should understand that same unchangeable, everlasting Christ is same yesterday today and tomorrow and for ever. A believer should hold on to the Christ who is everlasting, and must not be carried over by various teachings of old covenant Judaizers. The writer of Hebrews warned the new Hebrew believers , not to let the strange and false teachings the few Jewish christians who insisted people to follow the old covenant customs, which can carry away the people from the church life under the new covenant.
Ceremonial food observances of the old covenant customs were used by few Jewish Christians. It was carried over by Hebrew believers and prevented them from enjoying grace which will be available only by enjoying in Christ and the new covenant. The writer argued that the sin offering of the old covenant , its necessity for yearly atonement and the ceremonial food , is not something followers of Christ should look forward , instead believe in Christ , obedience to His Father's will, and in the salfivic death on the cross for the atonement of all human race. The blood of Christ , is the real sin offering shed for our redemption and the body of Christ sacrificed for us outside the gate of the city of Jerusalem, is our hope. Because of His heavenly ministry and high priesthood, Jesus is able to sanctify everyone, who.believes in his atonement and the salvific redemption he earned for us by Grace alone.
Christ's death outside Jerusalem represented the removal of sin, as it was like the removal of bodies of sacrificed amimals outside the city gate. As he died in disgrace outside the city, so the believers should be willing to be disgraced by separating themselves from the Jewish ceremonial practices to Christ alone. In our church life , as we enjoy the unchanging Jesus, we should offer spiritual sacrifices to God, by praising and singing hymns to Father God through Christ.
Lastly, author of Hebrews is also reminding us to be in fellowship with others, giving alms to saints and the needy brethren. This is vital to Church life, and is considered as a sacrifice to the Lord.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, strengthen our church life , in worshipping and praising you alone always, remember your sacrifice and atonement for our redemption, which is once and for all for sins of the humanity present, past and future. Thank you for the promise that those who repent and accept you as our savior, have no condemnation any more. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Sanctified and redeemed believers must offer sacrifce to God by being regular worshippers, partakers of His body and blood, praising and singing to the Lord and giving to the needs of the brethren..
Dr.John K.Thomas Tabor MTC,New York