Hebrew 7:23-28

15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek
appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to
his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is
declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 18 The former
regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made
nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them
from continuing in office; 24but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent
priesthood. 25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God
through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.  26Such a high
priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners,
exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to
offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the
people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28For the
law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after
the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

MEDITATION
1. The word “priest” in Latin is pontifex, which means “bridge builder”.  There
is an impassable gulf separating us from God.  Jesus Christ, being our High
Priest, is the bridge builder from humans to God.
2. What does this permanent priesthood mean to us?  It is God’s promise to us
that, through Jesus’ resurrection and His role as the High Priest, God’s plan
for our salvation is complete and “a better hope is introduced, by which we
are drawn near to God” (v19).  Note the phrase “save completely” (v25),
which means that we are not only saved by Jesus from punishment for our
sins, but also from sin’s insidious control of our thoughts and actions daily.
Jesus is the source of our forgiveness of sin and renewal of life.  All we need
is to come to this perfect High priest in faith, and be “convinced that he is
able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day”(2Tim 1:12).
3.  Visualize the image of Jesus as my “priest – the bridge builder”.  Where do
I see myself, God, and Jesus in that picture?  How does that make me feel?
Share this feeling and thought with Jesus.

Personal Note:
What makes me able to pray and come to God?  I find that people just think that we can approach God whenever and wherever we want.  On our own, we can do nothing to be connected to God.  God initiates the relationship with us through sacrificing His one and only son.  In order to cleanse from sin, sacrifice is required.

I feel that I am grateful for what God did in my life.  I desire to see people experiencing the freedom and peace from the forgiveness of sins.

Hebrew 6:13-20

13When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater
for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14saying, “I will surely bless you and
give you many descendants.” 15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received
what was promised.
 16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what
is said and puts an end to all argument. 17Because God wanted to make the
unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,
he confirmed it with an oath. 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things
in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope
offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor
for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become
a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

MEDITATION
1. Slowly read the passage aloud twice, note the emphasis on “promises” and
“hope”.
2. Reflect on the role of hope in my life.  The opposites of hope are despair,
suspicion, doubt, and cynicism.  What does this passage tell me about hope?
3. Read the passage aloud one more time.  Among the phrases, such as “swear”,
“unchanging”, “take hold of the hope”, “firm” and “secure”, what words or
phrases stand out to me?  Why are they important for me today?
4. Walk through this day with an attitude of greater hope – expectancy,
anticipation and trust.  This is what everyday life in the kingdom of God looks
like.

Personal Note:
We need hope in everything.  Hope is defined as future certainty grounded in present reality.  Everything in this world is uncertain.  We may hope to enter into a good university.  We may hope to enter into a good career.  We may hope to find a soul mate.  We may hope to have good friends.  In reality, all those things are uncertain.

The only source of hope is from God.  Practically speaking, I am planning for the strategic direction of PGC English ministry.  At times, I fear and worry that I will fail as a leader.  My hope is in God's promise, God's character, God's power at work in the lives of the teenagers.  The culture and the circumstances are beyond what my human wisdom can handle, but I trust that through God's grace, I can love them and lead them.