Fullness of Jesus - Priest - Hebrews 2:14-18

Priests are probably not thought of today as much more than member of clergy tied to a particular denomination. However, in the Old Testament (aka Hebrew Bible) the priests seemed to have one of the busiest jobs. They were offering sacrifices, declaring people clean/unclean, and a host of other responsibilities. The High Priest had a responsibility on the Day of Atonement to enter into the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the whole nation, but first he had to make sure he was "clean" before he could enter.

Priests were very busy, the people were very busy bringing sacrifices to the priests. Jesus came and became both the sacrifice and the sacrificer (priest) for mankind! That is so powerful to me! He wasn't just the perfect person who offered sacrifices for people, he was ALSO the sacrifice! Not only that, He was the sacrifice that sufficed the need for all sins, before and after. His one time offering was all that was needed (Hebrews 9:28, 10:12). That allows us to have such an "easy" life, one which we don't have to offer "tangible" sacrifices for our sins. However, reminds us that we are still to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" on a daily basis (Romans 12:1-2). As you think about Jesus as wearing the "hat" of priest, here are some applications to take with you...

1. Say a praise prayer to God for creating such an awesome plan for Jesus to play the part of Priest and be the sacrifice at the same time...so that we could be continually forgiven! (I John 1:7)
2. Jesus gave/gives us hope when He gave himself up for us "sinners" (Romans 5:8). May it lift your spirits and your walk as you reflect on what it means for Jesus to put aside any selfishness and allowed His perfection to take on the look of imperfection by "bearing our sins" on the cross (I Peter 2:24).
3. Jesus loves you!

Different "hats" that we wear require different responsibilities and expectations. Examining some of the things that Jesus did makes me appreciate Him all the more. I hope it will do the same for you.

Appreciating Him...

Suffering to Become a Champion

I can remember when Muhammad Ali was on an episode "Diff'rent Strokes." The character Arnold looked up to "The Champ" so much and was mesmerized by his presence. Ali took the time to encourage Arnold and it made a huge impact.

To have Ali make it to the success he aspired to achieve, took some great effort and sacrifice. That brings us to this week's quote...

I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." ~Muhammad Ali

I can only imagine all the hours and hard work that Cassius Clay (aka Muhammad Ali) went through in his life to become the "Champ." To be able to shoot off his mouth with phrases like "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can't hit what his eyes can't see. Now you see me, now you don't. George (Foreman) thinks he will, but I know he won't."

Some things in life I have tried but not completed. Other things, I won't quit on. May we continue to pursue things in life by seeing that there may be suffering now, but we can live the rest of our life as a champion!

Now it's your turn...What areas have you seen your hard work pay off?

I Give Up...Something I Treasure - Ruth 2:8-13

I am such the father of a 2-year old that watches Backyardigans (a cartoon on Nickelodeon) because as I looked at the word "treasure" in the title, I started singing a song that the Backyardigans sing on one of their "adventures".

We all treasure things. By that I don't mean that it is necessarily one of the top ten things that is on our list of favorites. Rather, I simply mean that we value it greatly, whether we realize it or not.  Take for instance, complaining.  You may not realize how much you treasure it, but if you find yourself doing it a lot, you probably "treasure" it.  

Yesterday, we continued our search into the idea of "giving up".  Not quitting, in the negative sense, but rather, in the positive.  Thinking of things that you might be able to give up for a "season" that will cause a void in your life, which, in turn, would hopefully, draw you closer to Him.  Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. Self-Reflect ~ If you haven't given something up, yet, think about some things that you value.  Foods, hobbies, habits, etc.  Then, decide that you would like to make a small change and choose to give that up...the series is only 2 more weeks!
2. Consider ~ Think about what God gave up in His only Son?  He gave up part of His "family" for you.  Think of the pain that was involved.  The tough love that was expressed in Him having to turn His back on Jesus so that His body beaten and pierced and blood dripped for you and me.
3. Imitate ~ I don't think anything will ever compare to Jesus' death for us.  However, as a way of imitating what God did, try to give something up so that you will experience a bit of discomfort for this short time.

Jesus said that even if we have to give up something as important as family, for His sake, there will be a great reward for us, in the end.  I would bet you have some sort of a family core that you value.  However, to think of them higher than Him is not what He desires.  Put Him first...Seek first the Kingdom...the rewards will follow.

May you see the benefits of trying to give up something in order to draw closer to Him!

"I Give Up: All Else is Worthless"

I know a family that experienced two house fires within 5 years (in fact, they are a reader).  One pretty much destroyed everything they had, the other, only partial.  Most people that experience house fires only get to go through that once in their lifetime.  I have not experienced it yet, and hope that I never do!  However, could you imagine how you would react to this type of tragedy and loss?  Imagine your belongings no longer being around because of a fire that destroyed everything.  I've often wondered what inanimate object(s) I would want to take out of my house, if I ever experienced a house fire?  Have you thought about it or made a list/plan?

Whatever you took out of your house would only be a fraction of what would be left to burn.  All those tangible memories would be gone.  All the heirlooms, gone.  All the toys, gone.  All the clothes, gone. Not a pleasant thought.  That is why there are a few things that are more important than things.  One, being family - biological and spiritual, and, two, your faith.

Giving up things can be difficult, but it may make you appreciate more.  Yesterday, we continued with our "I Give Up" series where we are trying to think about what we can give up so that we can maybe understand what it took for Christ to give up for us.  Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. Examine Yourself ~ Paul, the Apostle, made mention in this text, of all the different things he had done in his life, but considered them not even close to as important as what he had found in Christ.  Think about things that you may put on a resume to cause other people to be impressed.  Then, humbly consider them all as unimportant compared to your faith.  Press on toward Jesus, not things!
2. Lose Something ~ There are all kinds of things one could give up for this short period of time (3 more weeks) that would cause you to miss it, so that you get a hint of the sacrifice that Jesus went through for you and me.
3. Gain Something ~ When you lose you also gain.  Losing weight may cause you to gain confidence, for example.  Losing a habit or time you normally spend, may cause you to gain appreciation or take advantage of the time spent, which you never realized you had.  You may gain a new perspective on life.

Giving something up is simply about discipline.  In this particular lesson it is about realizing that nothing is more important than "gaining Christ".  Paul testified that he had given up all these good things because they weren't even closely as important as what he had found "in Christ".

How about you?  What have you thought about giving up for the sake of gaining Christ?  For some, this is not having Christ for the first time (aka becoming a Christian), but I want you to gain Christ in a way that draws you a bit closer as you seek to experience giving up something of yourself, like He did for you, me, and everyone.  Just give it up...for Him!

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