²³ There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. ²⁴ But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. ²⁵ Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

²⁶ He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. ²⁷ Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. ²⁸ The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

Hebrews 7:23-28

Dear God, after I read this passage this morning I thought that if I were to hear five different preachers preach on this passage I would probably get five different opinions and explanations of what the author of Hebrews was saying here. Some would say it is evidence that everyone gets saved. Some would say it is just talking about Jesus being who he is and it doesn’t say anything about us and our salvation.

We really do get wrapped around the axle in our modern church about salvation and getting to be in heaven, and the deeper I sink into you the less I care. It’s not that I don’t care, but I almost feel like I can’t be distracted by the afterlife right now. I need to be about knowing you, loving you, and loving others now. That’s what this is all about. In her song, “In A Little White,” Amy Grant has a line that says, “We’re just here to learn to love him.” That’s what I feel like my job is right now. Learn to love you. Learn to love others. Learn to offer you to others (the part I’m worst at). If I focus on making sure I have my fire insurance and jumping through every hoop I have to in order to make sure my own rear end is “saved,” then I will have failed you and the whole point of being reconciled to you.

Father, I’m still not thankful enough, but it’s going to be a hard habit to break. But I am committed to breaking it. I still don’t share you enough with others. I want to break that habit/fear too. I don’t want power. I don’t want riches. More than ever, I don’t care how people look at me or see me. I’d just as soon have every deed I do be anonymous if I could. But I can’t. The work I do in the community has to have my name on it. So I’ll take that and lay it before you, ask you to bless it, and ask that maybe, if nothing else, when people see my name or face attached to something it will somehow make them think of you and want you a little more.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen