Read Hebrews 5:5-10

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“The Lord has promised and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek'” (Psalm 110:4 NLT).

Imagine you’re back in the ancient days, where people lived in tribes and cities were still rare sights. In this world, there was a king and priest named Melchizedek, who met Abraham after a battle. Instead of asking for something from Abraham, he brought out bread and wine and blessed him. This was a bit unusual, but it was a special moment that later had a big meaning.

Now, think about Jesus. When he was on earth, he did something very similar with his friends. He took bread and wine and shared it with them, saying that it represented his body and blood, given for them. This might sound strange, but it was actually a way of showing that he would give himself for everyone, just like Melchizedek’s act hinted at.

In the passage from Hebrews, it talks about how Jesus didn’t just pick himself to be the special priest. God chose him for the job. This tells us that Jesus’ role as High Priest is really important. He’s not like the other priests who followed a bunch of rules; he’s different. He’s forever.

So, why does all this matter to us today? Well, it means that Jesus knows what it’s like to be human because he lived as one of us. He’s not far away; he’s right here with us, understanding our struggles and helping us out.

Picture this: when you’re going through a tough time or feeling far from God, remember that Jesus is there for you. He’s like a friend who’s always ready to listen and help.

When we understand the significance of Jesus’ role as our forever High Priest, it changes how we live our lives. Firstly, we can draw near to God with confidence, knowing that Jesus understands us completely and intercedes for us. Secondly, we’re called to extend grace to others, just as Jesus does for us. We’re also challenged to serve with compassion, following Jesus’ example of selfless love. Additionally, participating in Communion regularly can deepen our connection to Jesus and remind us of his sacrifice. Lastly, we’re invited to share the good news of Jesus’ love and forgiveness with others, inviting them into a relationship with our compassionate High Priest.

Remember, as you go about your day, that Jesus is not a distant figure but our loving Lord and a close friend who understands your struggles and is always ready to help. Lean on his grace and strength, and trust that he will guide you through whatever challenges you may face.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Jesus understands us completely and is always there to help us, just like a good friend.

PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for being my forever High Priest. Help me to remember that you’re always there for me, no matter what I’m going through. Guide me as I seek to draw near to you, extend grace to others, and serve with compassion. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.