March 30 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Hebrews 4:

¹Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
²For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
³For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
⁴For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
⁵And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
⁶Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
⁷Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
⁸For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
⁹There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
¹⁰For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
¹¹Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
¹²For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
¹³Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Devotional

We have a Lamb. We have an Altar. We have an High Priest. It was the duty of the Old Testament high priest to offer sacrifices, to make intercession for the people, and to bless the people. The Old Testament high priest was a type of Christ. In Christ is the fulfillment of this type. Jesus as our only High Priest has redeemed us by the one sacrifice of his body, and ever liveth to make intercession for us with the Father. "By one offering he hath perfected (made perfect) forever them that are sanctified."

It was a thorny way He had to travel, and at the end of the way stood the cross. In the days of his flesh he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death. "He tasted death for us" — death, the penalty of our sin, the cruel death on the cross. He "bare our sins in his own body on the tree." On the basis of this his perfect satisfaction, "He ever liveth to make intercession for us."

He is a High Priest for ever. His sacrifice is valid for ever, and we are perfect for ever in him, "the author of eternal salvation." We have all things necessary for our salvation in him. Therefore, "let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised."

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, we thank Thee, that we have a High Priest, who has entered into the holy place with his own blood, now to appear in the presence of God for us. We thank Thee that Jesus Christ is our Advocate at Thy right hand, that He pleads our cause. May we be assured by Thy Holy Spirit, that in Jesus' righteousness alone we can stand faultless before Thy throne, because He is the propitiation for our sins. Hear us for his sake. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Heb. 10:14; 5:7; 2:9; 1 Pet. 2:24; Heb. 7:25; 5:9; 10:23.

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