By Faith

Readings for today: Hebrews 11-13, Psalms 30

Some say faith is blind. Some say faith is foolish. Some say faith is an opiate of sorts for the masses. A delusion we are indoctrinated into by religious institutions. That’s not how the Bible defines faith. It is a fundamental belief. A conviction that what remains unseen is nonetheless very real. It is an assurance for the future where all our hopes and dreams for eternity will come to pass. It is ultimately a deep and abiding trust in God and His plan for our lives and for our world.

Hebrews 11 is rightly called the “Hall of Fame” of faith. It lists the many heroes and heroines who walked by faith. Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain. Why? Because he offered it in faith. Enoch did not taste death. Why? Because he walked with God. Noah risked it all to build an ark. Why? Because he loved God more than he loved the things of this world. Abraham left home, kindred, and country. He left behind all that was familiar. All that was safe. All that was secure. Why? Because he had his eyes fixed on a better country. A heavenly one. Sarah embraced a miraculous pregnancy in her old age. She carried Isaac to term though the toll on her body must have been enormous. She risked her life to bring the child of promise into the world. Why? Because she knew God was faithful. The list goes on and on. And it’s not meant to be exhaustive. It’s meant to be illustrative. To encourage those of us who are still fighting the good fight of faith in this world. It’s written to encourage those of us who are still seeking a homeland, eternal in the heavens.

What does walking by faith look like for you today? In what areas of your life are you being called to trust God? How are you placing your life, your future, your hopes and your dreams into His hands? Are you intentionally seeking to live by faith? Remember, “without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭CSB‬) Living by faith requires intentionality. Walking by faith requires self-discipline. It means dying to self every moment of every day. Laying aside the desires of the flesh in favor of the fruit of the Spirit. It means trusting God to reveal His will in His time. It means taking all that we are and all that we have and placing it at God’s disposal to use as He sees fit. It means walking with open hands before the Lord, allowing Him to guide and direct our steps.

I can tell you from personal experience there is nothing more exciting and nothing more daunting than following Christ. You end up on these amazing journeys you never thought possible. You have these experiences you never would have imagined. You get taken to the end of your own wisdom and strength and resources again and again as God teaches you to rely on Him. It’s not easy. It’s often scary. But God is faithful and He always delivers on His promises.

Readings for tomorrow: James 1-3, Psalms 31

A New Covenant

Readings for today: Hebrews 9-10, Psalms 29

Many years ago, I had LASIK surgery on my eyes. I have worn glasses since the fourth grade. My vision was terrible. I was as near-sighted as they come. Then I had the procedure. I remember walking out of the office and it was literally like scales had been lifted from my eyes. I could actually see things like the alarm clock in the morning or the individual leaves on the tree in my front yard. It was an incredible feeling. I imagine the author of Hebrews felt much the same way. He is intimately familiar with the Old Testament. He is obviously skilled at Jewish midrash which is an interpretive method that infuses fresh meaning into the biblical texts. He was most likely a Jew who had become a believer in Jesus Christ. As a result, his interpretive lens has shifted. Now Jesus is the hermeneutical key that unlocks all of Scripture. So he looks back on the ceremonial religious laws of the Torah and reinterprets them in light of Christ. The priesthood, sacrifices, and Temple are all reimagined. The high points of Israel’s history are revisited as are the great heroes and heroines of the faith. It’s like a fog has lifted for the author and they are seeing things clearly for the very first time. 

This is life-changing as you can imagine and you can sense the author’s excitement and joy as he shares what he’s discovered. Now it all makes sense! Now it has all become clear. This is why God instituted the sacrificial system and this is how God brings that system to fulfillment. His own Son serves both as High Priest and Perfect Sacrifice. He bears His own Body into the Holy of Holies in the heavenly Temple and satisfies the just demands of God’s Law once and for all. This is the mystery of salvation all of our forefathers and mothers in the faith looked forward to and now it is ours to see and to touch and to taste. The promised new covenant has been given. The new age inaugurated. The gates of heavenly Jerusalem thrown open. The angels gathered, along with the saints who have gone before us, to join the party. A gift is being offered. An unshakable kingdom that will never fall for its foundation is Christ Himself! 

Can you feel his passion? It comes to a crescendo in passages like the one we read today. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus  —  he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh) —  and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬) A full assurance of faith. What a blessing! Our hearts cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Amazing grace! No wonder he is so quick to challenge and encourage his reads to spur one another on to love and good works. It’s truly incredible! Friends, the gift God offers us in Christ is nothing short of heaven itself. Through Him we receive eternal life in an eternal relationship with an eternal God who reserves a place for us in His eternal Kingdom.

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 11-13, Psalms 30

Our Great High Priest

Readings for today: Hebrews 7-8, Psalms 28

Melchizedek is one of the more mysterious people in the Bible. He appears out of nowhere to meet Abraham after a great battle. Abraham is so impressed by him that he offers him a tithe of his plunder. Then he disappears from the pages of Scripture until the Book of Hebrews where he is offered up as an archetype of the Messiah. Clearly, the author assumes his audience knows the story from Genesis and he goes to great lengths to share how Melchizedek was no ordinary king. His name literally means “king of righteousness” and he is the “king of Salem” or king of Jerusalem which means “king of peace.” Some suggest Melchizedek is a theophany, an appearance by God in the Old Testament. Some even suggest Melchizedek is Jesus, appearing on earth before His incarnation. Whatever you may believe, it is clear the author of the Book of Hebrews believes Melchizedek represents an eternal priesthood, an office Jesus Himself now holds by virtue of His life-long obedience, fulfillment of the Law, atoning death, and victorious resurrection.

And that’s why the author of Hebrews draws the following conclusion, “But because Jesus remains forever, he holds his priesthood permanently. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB) These are some of my favorite verses in the entire book. I find the implications of what is said here to be incredibly comforting. First, God is able to save completely. Utterly. Wholly. There is not a part of my life that is left untouched by grace. Not a corner of my life that God leaves unredeemed. There is not a single door in my life that God leaves unopened. He plunges to the depths of my sin, the depths of my shame, the depth of my fear and anxiety to bring healing and salvation. Second, Jesus lives to intercede for me. He is present even now in the heavenly throne room praying for me. Talking to His Father about me. It’s an overwhelming thought. To know I am on Jesus’ heart and mind. My needs. My concerns. My desires. All are important to Him. I do not need to fear the accuser. According to the Book of Revelation, he has been cast out of heaven forever. There is no one left to condemn me before God. There is no one left to accuse me before God. No one left to judge me before God. There is only Jesus. My Advocate. My Intercessor. My Savior.

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 9-10, Psalms 29

True Story

Readings for today: Hebrews 5-6, Psalms 27

The gospel is the best story because it is a true story. Anchored on the promise of God. Sealed by the oath of God. Grounded on the fact that God cannot lie nor change His mind. Throughout human history, God has made many promises. He promised Noah deliverance. He promised Abraham a child. He promised Moses victory. He promised David a descendant to sit on his throne. In each case, He swears an oath by Himself. He puts His glory and His honor on the line. And in every case He delivers. He fulfills His promise. Even in the face of our doubts and fears, disobedience and sin, God never wavers. He is faithful.

This is why the author of Hebrews says “We who have fled for refuge have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬‬) He knows God can be trusted. He knows God has made a promise. The promise of a Savior. The promise of a Messiah. The promise of a King to sit on His throne and a High Priest to intercede in the heavens. God not only made this promise but He swore an oath. He put His glory and honor on the line. He will not let it fail. So by these two “unchangeable things” - the oath and character of God - we have assurance. We have hope. We can hold fast to what God has set before us.

The story of Jesus is no fairy tale. It is no myth or legend. It is not fiction or something any human being made up. Jesus was born. Jesus lived. Jesus suffered. Jesus died. Jesus rose again. These are historical events. You can actually go and see where they took place. You can visit Bethlehem where Jesus was born. You can walk around Galilee and see where Jesus ministered for three years. You can go to Golgotha and see where Jesus was crucified. You can touch the slab where His body lay. Not only that but you can read about these events not only in the Bible but in extra-biblical sources as well. No one disputes that they actually happened. This is what makes the gospel so compelling after all these years. It’s true. It’s real. It happened.

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 7-8, Psalms 28

The Problem of Suffering

Readings for today: Hebrews 1-2, Psalms 25

One of the strongest arguments against faith is the problem of suffering. For thousands of years of human history, human beings have suffered tremendously. Most dying in infancy. Many more dying from disease, famine, and drought. Many more from violence and war. In the grand sweep of human history, very few have died peacefully in their old age. For millions of years, animals have suffered tremendously. They have no defense against disease, drought, famine, and other natural disasters. They are subject to the violent, predatorial hierarchy that exists in nature. Even the apex predators eventually succumb to Father Time. For billions of years, the earth itself has suffered. Though not sentient, it experiences all sorts of disruptions and eruptions. The formational processes are often violent, creating all kinds of collisions between continents and dramatic changes in climate. And so the question is begged…how can an all-good and all-powerful God allow the kind of extreme suffering that exists in the universe?

It’s a really important question. One that cannot and should not be dismissed easily. One option is to embrace an atheist worldview. The world suffers precisely because it is subject to random processes with no god behind it all. We simply have to embrace reality as it is and make the best of it for ourselves and others. A second option is to embrace a Buddhist worldview. Suffering is an illusion. The challenge in this life is to disassociate ourselves from the world, transcend the physical body and all of its needs, and become one with the universe. A third option is to embrace a pagan worldview. Suffering exists because the gods are angry or we tempted “fate” or we are experiencing “bad karma.” The challenge is to appease the gods or fate or karma or whatever in order to bring an end to our suffering. A fourth option is the Deist worldview. There is an all-powerful god who created the world and set all its processes in motion but who remains distant and uninvolved in it all. A fifth option is to believe in an all-powerful god who is evil. A god who loves to watch people and animals and planets suffer. Again, in these latter two, there isn’t much to do except put our heads down and make the best of it. A sixth option is the worldview shared broadly among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. There is one God who created all things and cares deeply about all He creates. He reveals Himself through His prophets and His Holy Word. He wants a relationship with human beings in particular and makes a way for that to happen. His goal is to relieve the suffering of the world. Of course, how God goes about that is one of the areas where these three religions diverge. For the Christian, God relieves the suffering of the world by coming in the Person of Jesus Christ, suffering with and for the world on the cross, and rising again as the foretaste and guarantee of the world to come. A world without suffering and pain.

Listen to how the writer of Hebrews puts it, “But we do see Jesus —  made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone —  crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death. For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God — for whom and through whom all things exist — should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters…Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death — that is, the devil  —  and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.” (Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭11‬, ‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

God has a plan for the world. A plan that has been in place since the beginning. A plan that involves sharing His righteous reign and rule over all He has made with humanity, the species He made in His own image. Sadly, as a species, we have rejected our partnership with God and instead sought to establish our own reign and rule over the earth. The results are disastrous by any estimation. But God refuses to abandon His plan. So rather than destroy everything and start over, He chooses to redeem everything through His Son. He sends His Son into the world, not to condemn, but to save it. And how does Jesus save? He becomes one of us. He becomes a human being. The perfect image of the invisible God. Humanity as she was meant to be. And He is tempted. And He suffers. And He dies. And by sharing in our weaknesses, He defeats the power of the devil. He defeats the power of death. He brings meaning and purpose even to our suffering and He points us forward to a world where all things will be made new.

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 3-4, Psalms 26 (No devotionals on Sundays)

The Life of Faith

Readings for today: Hebrews 9-13

I love this section of Hebrews because of how it helps us come face to face with the life of faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not yet seen. Walking by faith and not by sight is the key to a vibrant relationship with Christ. It places us in a posture of trust. It pushes us to open our hands and hearts to all kinds of God-ordained possibilities. What no eye has seen and no ear heard. What no human heart can understand. This is the life God offers us if we will let go of our need for control and certainty. God wants to do more than we can ever ask or imagine. God wants to give us every spiritual blessing from heaven. God wants to give good gifts to His children. These are His promises and they are sure. But we can only receive them as we let go of the things of this world. Let go of our plans for our lives. Let go of our need to manage and control outcomes.

A friend of mine likens the Christian life to that of a leaky boat. All of us have holes. All of us are taking on water to a certain extent. We were born this way. It’s the result of original sin as well as our own selfish, sinful choices in life. After we come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, we have a decision to make. We can spend all our time bailing water. Grabbing a bucket and trying to stay afloat in our own strength and by our own effort. Eventually, however, we’ll tire out and we’ll begin to sink. The other alternative is to push the throttle all the way down. Commit ourselves wholeheartedly to Christ. Place ourselves under His power and His authority and watch all the water we’ve taken on flow out the back. This is what I think the author of Hebrews is talking about when he writes, “Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2-3‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

The more we place our lives in God’s hands, the more we will find ourselves tapping into supernatural resources of wisdom and strength. The more we trust God for our lives, the more we will be sustained by the manna which comes from heaven. The more we press into Christ, the more we will find ourselves disentangled from sin and released from the heavy burdens we carry. This doesn’t mean the life of faith is easy. Go back and read the stories listed in the 11th chapter and you’ll see a whole lot of struggle and suffering. However, what you’ll also see is victory. The people of God overcoming the trials and tribulations of this world because they kept their eyes focused on a higher prize. This is ultimately what fuels the life of faith. Keeping our eyes on Christ. Rehearsing in our heads and hearts all He went through on our behalf. This is what shoots adrenaline into our souls!

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Timothy 1-4

The Truest Story

Readings for today: Hebrews 5-8

The gospel is the best story because it is a true story. Anchored on the promise of God. Sealed by the oath of God. Grounded on the fact that God cannot lie nor change His mind. Throughout human history, God has made many promises. He promised Noah deliverance. He promised Abraham a child. He promised Moses victory. He promised David a descendant to sit on his throne. In each case, He swears an oath by Himself. He puts His glory and His honor on the line. And in every case He delivers. He fulfills His promise. Even in the face of our doubts and fears, disobedience and sin, God never wavers. He is faithful.

This is why the author of Hebrews says “We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬b-‭20‬ ‭MSG‬‬) He knows God can be trusted. He knows God has made a promise. The promise of a Savior. The promise of a Messiah. The promise of a King to sit on His throne and a High Priest to intercede in the heavens. God not only made this promise but He swore an oath. He put His glory and honor on the line. He will not let it fail. So by these two “unchangeable things” - the oath and character of God - we have assurance. We have hope. We can hold fast to what God has set before us.

The story of Jesus is no fairy tale. It is no myth or legend. It is not fiction or something any human being made up. Jesus was born. Jesus lived. Jesus suffered. Jesus died. Jesus rose again. These are historical events. You can actually go and see where they took place. You can visit Bethlehem where Jesus was born. You can walk around Galilee and see where Jesus ministered for three years. You can go to Golgotha and see where Jesus was crucified. You can touch the slab where His body lay. Not only that but you can read about these events not only in the Bible but in extra-biblical sources as well. No one disputes that they actually happened. This is what makes the gospel so compelling after all these years. It’s true! It’s real! It happened! And that’s why we celebrate at Christmas!

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 9-13

Jesus is the Centerpiece

Readings for today: Hebrews 1-4

Hebrews is a great book to read the week leading up to Christmas because of how it focuses our attention on Christ. The author has a clear view of Jesus. He knows Jesus is greater than the angels. Greater than the prophets of old. Greater than even Moses who came before Him. There is none like Christ. None whom the Father claims as His Son. None who was given all authority in heaven and on earth. None who even now sits on the throne. Only Jesus. He cannot be dismissed. He cannot be ignored. He cannot be denied. He cannot be commercialized or trivialized. His birth is the greatest miracle the world has ever known. His life is the greatest testimony the world has ever seen. His death is the greatest sacrifice ever made. His resurrection is the greatest victory ever won. And all of this is what we celebrate on Christmas.

I’ve been preaching Christmas Eve services for over twenty years now and the story never gets old. It’s incredibly humbling to get to share the good news of great joy each and every year. I still cannot believe I get to do what I do. I stand in a long of line of heralds who came before me. Men and women like Paul and Priscilla. Apollos and Junia. The unnamed author of Hebrews and the disciple whom Jesus loved. Not to mention the thousands upon thousands of pastors and missionaries and theologians throughout history who dedicated their lives to this same proclamation. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. The Son of God took on human form and entered the world. The Spirit of God hovered over the virgin womb of Mary and conceived the God-Man. The Son of the Most High became one of us in order to give His life for us. This is why the writer of Hebrews talks about Jesus as the great high priest who suffers like we suffer. Endures the same temptations we endure. Lived as we live. In this way, He can identify with us in our weaknesses and present them before the Father. This is why He came. It’s incredible. There are no words.

As you hustle about these final days before Christmas, here’s my prayer for you…“So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2 MSG‬‬) Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Spend time with Him every single day. Let His Word dwell in you richly. Let His love fill your soul with joy. Let His passion to reach the lost compel you to share Christ with those around you and invite them to join you on Christmas Eve. Most of all, let the miracle of His birth fill you with awe and wonder yet again as you approach the manger.

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 5-8