Saturday, May 24, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Hebrews 8:1–13

Now the main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent that the Lord, and not any mortal, has set up. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. They offer worship in a sanctuary that is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly one; for Moses, when he was about to erect the tent, was warned, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one. God finds fault with them when he says: “The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors, on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I had no concern for them, says the Lord. This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach one another or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” In speaking of “a new covenant,” he has made the first one obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old will soon disappear. (NRSV)

Reflection

Growing up, I had an uncle who was a minister. All I can remember of his sermons is they were long. When my cousin and I were teenagers (and you know how snippy teenagers can be), she said to her father after one of his long services, “You know, Dad, your words don’t have to be eternal in order to be immortal.” Funny that this quote, which is by Muriel Humphrey Brown, stuck in my head for sixty years and not a word of my uncle’s sermons.

I often feel the same way about Paul. Cut to the chase, Paul, and just tell me what you mean. I’m afraid if Paul was preaching at Fourth Church, I would be like the young man in Acts 20:9 who fell asleep during Paul’s sermon. At least I would not be falling out the window.

I like my beliefs to be easily understood and in a nutshell. What do I believe? John 3:16. What commandments has God given me? Mark 12:30–31, Micah 6:8. My faith in a nutshell.

Putting today’s scripture in a nutshell, God gave us a new promise, and it is because of Jesus. Jesus' sacrifice was perfect. He paid for our mistakes, and we don’t have to keep offering more sacrifices. He is our help and our salvation. Most importantly, this new agreement is permanent! God’s new promise will last forever.

Prayer
Dear God, thank you for Jesus, our High Priest, who brought in a new and better covenant. Through him, we receive your grace and mercy. Help us to live lives that honor you and to understand and apply your word in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Written by Linda Gibboney, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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