Daily. Bible. Reading.

Sunday, we observe Holy Communion. To prepare, read and study this passage from Hebrews.

Monday – Hebrews 9:23

Without dragging out all of Hebrews, verse 23 is summarizing the practice under Mosaic law of yearly ‘cleansing’ the tabernacle and later the temple with animal blood to atone for sin on the Day of Atonement. What argument is he making about the ‘heavenly’ sanctuary? What could be better than the blood of animals for cleansing of sin?

Ask the Lord to help you understand, at least a little, of what the sacrificial blood of Jesus was for, and to recognize it in the Lord’s Supper. 

Tuesday – Hebrews 9:24

The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus appears before God on our behalf. For what? What does he do before God? Why can’t we stand before God on our own and argue our own case?

Pray for someone who has forgotten that Jesus wants what is best for us.

Wednesday – Hebrews 9:25-26

Verse 24 says Jesus comes before God, but it is not to repeat the sacrifices. The one time was enough – on the cross – and doesn’t have to be done again. Now, hold that image and turn to Hebrews 6:4-7. In what way are both of these paradoxical things true, that Jesus doesn’t get crucified again before God but that we crucify him in rebellion?

Pray through the one-time event of the cross being repeated over and over again throughout our lives in the communion meal and confess the sin that entangles.

Thursday – Hebrews 9:27

Everyone should know this verse, and it should cause us all to tremble from time to time. Judgement comes for everyone, for the good and the bad, the rich and the poor, the beautiful and the common. No one gets out of life alive. Are you ready? And what exactly does this fact have to do with Jesus standing before God on our behalf and the communion meal you will be taking Sunday?

Talk to the Lord about your own eventual death, about the legacy you would like to leave, the fears you have about death and dying, and ask for the faith to die well knowing that Jesus has already born judgment. 

Friday – Hebrews 9:28

There is always in the communion meal an aspect of the past, doing ‘this in remembrance,’ but so too there is an aspect of the future; we wait for the time when we partake of the cup with him in eternity. This is joy; the joy of hope. What are you most looking forward to about our Lord’s second appearance?

Turn in your Bible to 1 Corinthians 10:23-26 and pray through the words of institution, line by line, then open up the church prayer list you received earlier this week in an email and pray through it.