ESOCS Devotional 26 April 2022
TEXT: HEBREWS 8:1-6
MEMORY VERSE: “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is a better mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises.” Hebrews 8:6
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Agreement is another word for covenant and testament. The old agreement refers to the old covenant or testament whereby the lives of those that were children of God were moderated on the basis of the Law of Moses; and remission of sin was achieved by the sacrifice of animals through the priests (Hebrews 5:1; v 3 of our text).
But the sacrifice of animals for remission of sin at that time was for a moment. You would have to sacrifice another animal if you sinned the next day. It was not an eternal sacrifice.
Since the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, human race received eternal grace by the sacrifice of the life of Christ. By that sacrifice, we received eternal reconciliation with God (vs. 1-2 of our text; Hebrews 2:17).
All we need to do is to agree that, truly, Jesus is the one whom God sent to redeem us by His death; and then, confess with our mouth that He is the Lord over our lives. This is the beginning of our journey to everlasting peace with God. It is with confession that we are set free from sin and the consequences thereof; and with our heart that we believe unto righteousness. Thus, our salvation and righteousness are everlasting because Jesus our redeemer lives forever. This is the “excellent ministry” of Christ in our lives; which has made for us a “better covenant” with God. Verse 6a says, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry…he is the mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises.”
So, in Christ greater and better promises await us. The first is that while on earth, the believer is not under any condemnation; and he is “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:1).
Secondly, for us, life after death is spent in paradise, the kingdom of God. For all these, we have a sure hope (v 6b of our text; John 14:7).
Let us therefore, work and walk on the path of life that God has chosen for us in Christ Jesus, and at last ascend unto the height that He has set for us in His kingdom.
- Do you feel the signs of a better life in Christ?
- Father, hold me tight that I may not fall out of the path of life that you have chosen for me, in Jesus Name. Amen.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Jeremiah 11:1-end; John 3:17-22; Lamentation 2:11-17
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ESOCS Devotional 26 April 2022
