Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Today’s Scripture
Today’s Author
Rebekah LeMon
The letter to the Hebrews was written to encourage a second-generation Christian community. These believers faced a range of challenges, from persecution, to holding onto belief when what was hoped for hadn’t happened, to flagging commitment and even leaving the community for (perhaps) an easier path. The letter pulls its audience in, retelling our shared history and Christian beliefs, and in particular, reminding its readers that they are God’s covenant people.
They trace their ancestry and faith back to the covenant given to Moses, which was perfected in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The first covenant was understood as a physical thing, held in an ark in a tent and honored in ritual worship and sacrifice. Priests were mediators, offering prayers on the community’s behalf. But those rituals couldn’t “perfect the conscience of the worshiper” in the way that Jesus’s sacrifice freed us from our sin: Christ “offered himself without blemish to God, purify[ing] our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!” (Heb. 9:9, 9:14).
Jesus Christ is the new covenant. God’s promises are not stored away in a human-made sanctuary; Jesus Christ came to earth and walked among us. He invited us to know him. We don’t need mediators to pray, but can talk with Jesus, call for his help, and celebrate his graciousness. This letter reminds us that as covenant people, our call is no longer to enact ritual sacrifice, but to have a relationship with our Lord, worshiping our living God.
Summer Devotional
God Goes With Us
This summer’s devotional is a walk through the Bible. Join our pastors and staff for daily reflections on scripture passages from Genesis to Revelation. In the beginning, God said, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Come and see how this covenant promise changes through time yet remains steadfast from generation to generation.
Each Sunday, Chris Holmes will share a short message on the texts for the week, and written reflections will go out every Monday through Thursday morning.
We wish you blessings and deeper faith this summer!
