Saturday, July 18, 2026

Opening Scripture

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:5-8

Opening Prayer

Gracious Father, I praise You for all that You are and all that You’ve done. I praise You for Your abundant blessings to me in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Your Son. I praise You for Your Spirit, who lives in me, comforting, counseling, and guiding each day. Thank you for adopting me into Your eternal family. I offer myself to You this day, through Jesus Christ, who rules and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever more. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Hebrews 10:1-18

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God.’”

First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Reflection  

Today’s passage continues to unpack the message that Jesus is superior to everything else. So far, the writer has shown Jesus’ superiority to angels, Moses, and the Levitical priesthood. Jesus is “a priest in the order of Melchizedek” and he has established a better covenant with a better sacrifice.

This New Covenant is a better plan of redemption that produces better worshippers. Christ’s flawless sacrifice and continual intercession “make perfect those who draw near to worship,” cleansing the conscience and providing full access to the Father.  

In today’s Opening Scripture, the psalmist anticipates Jesus’ divine fulfillment of prophecy through His Incarnation with “a body you prepared for me.” In His physical form, becoming fully human, tempted and suffering yet without sin, the Lord Jesus said, “I have come to do your will, my God.”

Interestingly, the Greek word “will” (diathēkē) that the writer used in yesterday’s reading can mean will, contract, covenant, or testament. He cleverly uses the same word in two different ways to explain how the New Covenant involves Jesus’ death and the execution of a binding contract.

“In the case of a will (diathēkē), it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will (diathēkē) is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant (diathēkē) was not put into effect without blood” (Hebrews 9:16-18).

The New Covenant (contract) can only take effect after the death of the One who made the will (contract). As such, Jesus’ death provides an “eternal inheritance” for God’s people. We are the “heirs” – the “beneficiaries” – listed in His “last will and testament.”

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

Through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice, we have been “made holy” (hēgiasmenoi). That word means to sanctify, consecrate, or set apart.

As followers of Jesus, we are “set apart” for God’s exclusive possession and purpose. Abundant life and eternal life are life with God! The New Covenant concept of “sanctification” encompasses the whole sweep of salvation history, from initial justification to final glorification.

Our redemption in Christ is secure for eternity. His once and for all sacrifice was thoroughly sufficient, so – unlike earthly priests whose work was never done – Jesus “sat down at the right hand of God.”

Being “made holy” includes our ongoing transformation, maturing as believers, empowered by the indwelling Spirit, and bearing fruit that makes us more like Jesus. Our sanctification unto Christlikeness continues throughout our lives as we choose each day to remain loyal to King Jesus and submit to the Spirit’s leading.

Just like our Lord, we ought daily to declare to God, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.”

Does that describe your posture today?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!