Concluding Thoughts - Daily Devotional May 8, 2010

Daily Bible Reading - Numbers 16, Psalm 52-54, Isaiah 6, Hebrews 13

Concluding Thoughts

In our bible reading today we finish the book of Hebrews with chapter 13. As we have read through the previous chapters we see the following outline:

Christ's Superiority -

• Christ Is Superior to the Angels (1:5—2:18)
• Christ Is Superior to Moses (3:1—4:13)
• Christ Is Superior to the Aaronic Priests (4:14—7:28)
• The Superior Sacrificial Work of Christ, Our High Priest (8:1—10:18)

After reading all about Christ's superiority the book of Hebrews then took us into a call to follow Jesus faithfully and with perseverance (10:19—12:29). Then here in chapter 13 we are given the concluding words. The last chapter of Hebrews concludes with guidelines for Christian living along with the author's final personal remarks.

The following are the guidelines or rules I see here for Christian living:

• love each other as brothers and sisters
• show hospitality to strangers
• remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself
• remember those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain
  
• give honor to marriage, remain faithful
• don't love money
• remember your leaders who taught you the word of God...follow the example of their faith
• do not be attracted by strange new ideas
• don't forget to do good and to share with those in need

This is quite a list! As we read this we must take into consideration all that the book of Hebrews has already laid out for us. In our outline above we see that the reason why we can live according to these rules or concluding thoughts, is because Christ is superior. The sacrifice He made was once and for all. Jesus is our example and because He is superior and because He conquered and was the sacrifice for us all we can live in His grace!

So here are some concluding thoughts for us today, meditate on these today and you will find that living the Christian life is possible because of His sacrifice and His grace -
"...I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." (verse 5)
"So we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" (verse 6)
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (verse 8)

Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Numbers 17-18, Psalm 55, Isaiah 7, James 1

Dream Big,
Katie