Monday Morning
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening (A Collect for the Renewal of Life – Monday)
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 5:1-14 (NLT)
Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs.
And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him,
“You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”
And in another passage God said to him,
“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
A Call to Spiritual Growth
There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
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Morning Reflection:
Jesus who learned to obey brought salvation to those who obey.
Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest,
and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.
– Hebrews 5:8-9
It’s easy to do things God’s way when things are going our way. But when things are not going our way, it’s a lot tougher – and that’s when we learn obedience, or not.
Our reading today addresses Jesus’ obedience in the face of his unimaginable suffering as both the perfect High Priest and the perfect Sacrifice for the sins of the world – our sins past, present and future. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he gained experiential knowledge of what being a human involves. He learned obedience in the sense that He learned to obey His Father’s will as a human.
+ As God’s Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus leads the way through our human suffering.
+ As God’s Perfect High Priest: Jesus provides what we need to live in obedience to him.
Questions for consideration:
- Pause for a moment to reflect on where you believe God is calling you to become more obedient? Please explain.
- Since Jesus continually intercedes for you before the throne of grace, where do you need mercy and help to follow through on God’s call to greater obedience?
- How can you build a rhythm of prayer and obedience into your life? How can you become more mature in Christ – be strengthened in faith and trust? Please explain.
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Morning Prayer:
Life Support Prayer:
Praise to you, Lord God, for the power you have demonstrated in raising your Son, Jesus Christ, from death; we bow before him in submission to his Lordship over the Church. We pray especially for pro-life leaders who will be speaking to their respective church assemblies around the world. Fill them with your Spirit and give them the words to speak – kindly and powerfully – that church assemblies all around the world might choose life and receive your blessing, all to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Prayer for Submission to God’s Will – Joseph Mercier
O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore you. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that you desire of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will. Amen.
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“I Surrender” – Hillsong
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Closing:
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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