Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Opening Scripture

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:17-21

Opening Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and mercy, your protection and provision, your comfort and healing. Help me to trust you in all things and orient my life toward you today. May my mind’s attention and heart’s affection be on you. Guide my choices and direct my decisions for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Daily Bible Reading

Hebrews 1

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 

He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Reflection  

Over the next four weeks, as we continue our summer study of the fruit of the Spirit, we will explore the book of Hebrews. This lengthy epistle is full of doctrinal truth, biblical history, and practical teaching. There are 169 Greek words in Hebrews found nowhere else in the New Testament, which makes it a unique contribution to Scripture.

It is good for us to remember that the sound, established Christian theology that we often take for granted was still being debated and sorted out in the first century. We have seen that played out in the book of Acts and in Paul’s letters as the Judaizers and Gnostics are condemned and rebutted. We will see that same divine correction at work as we read through Hebrews.

While several possible authors have been suggested (including Barnabas and Apollos), early “Church Father” Origen claimed that only God knows who wrote Hebrews. Whoever it was, he was clearly intelligent, educated, and quite familiar with the Septuagint, the pre-Christian Greek translation of the Old Testament.

Since most of the original followers of Jesus were Jewish, it is not surprising that the author primarily addresses Jewish Christians (hence the name Hebrews). While there’s obviously a personal connection between the writer and the recipients, we don’t know who or where they were. The only geographic reference is to Italy; the only individual named is Timothy; and it must have been written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70.

The overarching “themes” of Hebrews are the supremacy of Jesus the Messiah and the need to resist reverting back to Judaism in the face of opposition and persecution. As such, the author effectively interprets the Old Covenant through the “lens” of Jesus’ incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection.

In today’s passage, we’re immediately introduced to the first theme: the surpassing greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prophecies have reached their glorious climax in the arrival of God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah. No matter how devoted his listeners were to God’s previous revelation, the author insists that they must now pay special attention to God’s latest revelation: Jesus.

Jesus of Nazareth is the Creator of the universe, the Radiance of God’s glory, and the Sustainer of all things. Jesus’ death and resurrection ushered in “the last days” (eschatou tōn hēmerōn) – the time when God would begin to fulfill His promises. Human history is quickly moving toward its divinely ordained culmination.

It may seem strange to us that the author would need to state that Jesus is “superior to the angels” (duh!), but angels were a popular topic in the synagogues at that time. Some of his listeners may have attributed a “mediating role” to angels or honored them as part of the “heavenly host.” The writer affirms angels as “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation,” but emphasizes that Jesus is uniquely superior as the Purifier of Sins and the Heir of All Things!

The word “salvation” (sōtēria) – as in “those who will inherit salvation” – is found throughout the Septuagint, and its historic Jewish connotation is reflected well in Psalm 3:8, “From the LORD comes salvation (deliverance). May your blessing be on your people.”

Throughout the book of Hebrews, our modern sense of personal “salvation” or individual spiritual “regeneration” is enhanced by the collective Hebraic sense of “salvation” as God delivering His people from the oppression of their enemies and the community’s shared enjoyment of His blessing. King Jesus has won the ultimate victory over His enemies, and His loyal citizens will “inherit salvation” together.

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

How does God speak to you? How do you hear from God?

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

The writer of Hebrews expected his listeners to be quite familiar with the Old Testament, especially the Septuagint, the Greek translation that served as the “Bible” of the early Church. As God’s New Covenant people, we are also expected to be very familiar with both the Old and New Testaments, which serve as God’s Word to us today.

In Scripture, we see God communicating through nature, weather, angels, dreams, miracles, and the prophets. In each example, God was speaking to specific people with a specific message. Clearly, Almighty God can use whatever He chooses to convey His will to His creation. From a burning bush to a frustrated donkey, God effectively communicates what He wants His people to know.

If we want to learn to recognize the voice of God, we must become personally related to Him. God speaks to us in many ways, but primarily He speaks to us through Scripture. We must spend time reading and reflecting on the Word of God in order to hear a clear word from God. Most often, the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to impart the Truth of God to our hearts and minds.

Our understanding of God’s message is clarified and lived out in community. We are part of the Body of Christ – the Church – and our knowledge of God is developed and refined as we actively participate in that Family of Faith. Studying the Bible and worshipping together. Praying with and for each other. Partnering in service and ministry together. Helping to raise each other’s children. Caring for those who are sick and grieving.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11).

In Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby says, “Understanding spiritual truth doesn’t lead you to an experience with God; it is an experience with God! If the Christian does not know when God is speaking, he is in trouble at the heart of his Christian life!”

Have you learned to hear the voice of God? Do you know when the Spirit is speaking to you? Can you discern what He is saying?

Ask God to help you become so connected to Him that you know when He’s speaking, understand what He’s saying, and are motivated to obey.

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!