With Grace and Boldness

I’m not sure how you feel reading these words from Hebrews, but “dull in understanding” comes to mind for me. This is a lot to take in. The book of Hebrews may be an ancient sermon that compares in detail the temple sacrificial system to the sacrifice, priesthood and salvation given through Jesus Christ. The good news according to Hebrews is that Jesus’ once for all sacrifice as God’s great high priest is sufficient for salvation, and as one who fully knows our human condition, he is approachable in boldness for grace in time of need.

A more modern question might ask if our religious practices and priesthood are faithful to Jesus. The measures according to Hebrews are humility, service, sacrifice and reverence. That’s not the easiest list to follow, individually or as a church, as rostered ministers or as lay people. But they are the right measures and remind us of our common calling in service to God and all people in the Spirit of Christ. And knowing we are still “infants needing milk,” “dull and unskilled,” and do and will fail, we need constantly to approach the throne of grace with boldness for forgiveness and a fresh start to serve together the loving mission of our great high priest, Jesus our Lord.

God, help us serve you faithfully for your love of the world in Christ Jesus. Amen. — LM

Contributed by With Grace and Boldness

I'm not sure how you feel reading these words from Hebrews, but "dull in understanding" comes to mind for me. This is a lot to take in. The book of Hebrews may be an ancient sermon that compares in detail the temple sacrificial system to the sacrifice, priesthood and salvation given through Jesus Christ. The good news according to Hebrews is that Jesus' once for all sacrifice as God's great high priest is sufficient for salvation, and as one who fully knows our human condition, he is approachable in boldness for grace in time of need. A more modern question might ask if our religious practices and priesthood are faithful to Jesus. The measures according to Hebrews are humility, service, sacrifice and reverence. That's not the easiest list to follow, individually or as a church, as rostered ministers or as lay people. But they are the right measures and remind us of our common calling in service to God and all people in the Spirit of Christ. And knowing we are still "infants needing milk," "dull and unskilled," and do and will fail, we need constantly to approach the throne of grace with boldness for forgiveness and a fresh start to serve together the loving mission of our great high priest, Jesus our Lord.
Eternity for Today