Jesus: Our Unchanging High Priest and Foundation

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, Our Unchanging Foundation

In a world filled with constant change, Jesus stands as an unchanging foundation. His eternal nature provides stability and assurance, reminding us that His love and promises are unwavering. This constancy allows us to navigate life's uncertainties with confidence, knowing that we have a reliable anchor in Him. As we face the shifting seasons of life, we can find peace in the knowledge that Jesus remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. His teachings and sacrifice offer us a steadfast foundation upon which we can build our lives, providing comfort and depth in our relationship with Him. [04:26]

Hebrews 13:8-9 (ESV): "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel unstable or anxious? How can you invite Jesus to be your unchanging foundation in that area today?

Day 2: The Eternal Intercession of Jesus

Jesus serves as the ultimate high priest, transcending the limitations of the Levitical priesthood. Unlike the priests of old who were bound by mortality, Jesus' priesthood is eternal, offering perfect and unchanging intercession for us. This eternal advocacy assures us of His constant presence and support in our lives. We can find comfort in knowing that Jesus is always present, advocating on our behalf, and providing a consistent foundation upon which we can build our lives. His eternal priesthood means that we are never alone, and we can rely on His continual intercession to guide and support us through life's challenges. [11:44]

Hebrews 7:24-25 (ESV): "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: In what ways can you become more aware of Jesus' intercession in your daily life? How might this awareness change the way you approach your challenges?

Day 3: Aligning Decisions with God's Eternal Truth

We are called to place every decision under the authority of Jesus, aligning our choices with the eternal truths of God's Word. This alignment provides clarity and direction amidst the complexities of life, ensuring that our actions reflect His unchanging truth. By seeking His guidance and wisdom, we can navigate the decisions we face in our personal and civic responsibilities with confidence. Trusting in His unchanging truth allows us to make choices that honor Him and reflect His love and grace to those around us. [18:08]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Think of a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek God's guidance and align your choice with His eternal truth today?

Day 4: Resting in the Sufficiency of Jesus' Sacrifice

The complete and final sacrifice of Jesus frees us from the need to strive for acceptance or earn God's love. His work on the cross is sufficient, covering our past, present, and future. This assurance allows us to rest in His grace, knowing that our identity and future are secure in Him. We are invited to let go of the burdens of self-reliance and performance, embracing the freedom and peace that come from trusting in His finished work. As we rest in His grace, we can experience the fullness of His love and acceptance, living confidently in the security of our identity in Christ. [30:54]

Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel the need to earn acceptance or love? How can you rest in the sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice today?

Day 5: Trusting in Jesus' Unchanging Work

The constancy of Jesus' work on our behalf allows us to trust Him fully. His unchanging nature means we can rely on His guidance and provision, drawing near to Him with confidence and finding peace in His eternal promises. As we trust in His unchanging work, we are invited to deepen our relationship with Him, experiencing the fullness of His love and grace. This trust enables us to face life's uncertainties with courage, knowing that we are held securely in His hands. [35:11]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust Jesus fully? How can you take a step towards trusting His unchanging work today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ as our cornerstone and high priest, exploring the profound implications of His eternal constancy in a world that is ever-changing. As we journey through the book of Hebrews, particularly chapter 7, we are reminded of the stability and assurance that Jesus provides amidst life's uncertainties. The changing seasons, both in nature and in our personal lives, often bring about feelings of anxiety and instability. Yet, in the midst of these changes, we find solace in the constants that Jesus offers—His teachings, His sacrifice, and His eternal priesthood.

The book of Hebrews draws a comparison between Jesus and the Old Testament priest Melchizedek, emphasizing that Jesus is the ultimate high priest who transcends the limitations of the Levitical priesthood. Unlike the priests of old who were bound by mortality, Jesus' priesthood is eternal, offering a perfect and unchanging intercession for us. This eternal priesthood assures us that Jesus is always present, advocating on our behalf, and providing a consistent foundation upon which we can build our lives.

In a world where everything seems to be in flux, Jesus remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. This constancy allows us to find comfort and depth in our relationship with Him, knowing that His love and His promises do not waver. We are encouraged to place every decision and every aspect of our lives under His authority, trusting in His unchanging truth and guidance. As we navigate the complexities of life, including the decisions we face in our personal and civic responsibilities, we are called to align our choices with the eternal truths of God's Word.

Ultimately, the complete and final sacrifice of Jesus frees us from the need to strive for acceptance or to earn God's love. His work on the cross is sufficient, covering our past, present, and future. This assurance allows us to rest in His grace, knowing that our identity and our future are secure in Him. As we partake in communion, we remember and celebrate this profound truth, reaffirming our trust in Jesus as our unchanging high priest and cornerstone.

Key Takeaways

1. The Unchanging Nature of Jesus: In a world where everything changes, Jesus remains constant. His eternal priesthood offers us stability and assurance, reminding us that His love and promises are unwavering. This constancy provides a foundation for our lives, allowing us to navigate change with confidence. [04:26]
2. Jesus as the Ultimate High Priest: Unlike the Levitical priests who were bound by mortality, Jesus' priesthood is eternal. He intercedes for us continually, offering a perfect and unchanging advocacy. This eternal intercession assures us of His constant presence and support in our lives. [11:44]
3. Aligning Our Lives with God's Truth: We are called to place every decision under the authority of Jesus, aligning our choices with the eternal truths of God's Word. This alignment provides clarity and direction amidst the complexities of life, ensuring that our actions reflect His unchanging truth. [18:08]
4. Resting in the Complete Sacrifice of Jesus: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is complete and final, freeing us from the need to strive for acceptance or earn God's love. This assurance allows us to rest in His grace, knowing that our identity and future are secure in Him. [30:54]
5. Trusting in Jesus' Unchanging Work: The constancy of Jesus' work on our behalf allows us to trust Him fully. His unchanging nature means we can rely on His guidance and provision, drawing near to Him with confidence and finding peace in His eternal promises. [35:11]
** [35:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:23] - The Beauty of Change
[02:21] - Seasons of Life
[04:26] - The Need for Constants
[07:16] - Jesus and Melchizedek
[11:44] - Jesus' Eternal Priesthood
[13:53] - God's Continual Presence
[16:30] - Unchanging Truth
[18:08] - Aligning with God's Word
[19:59] - Decision Making Under God
[23:28] - Intercession and Relationship
[26:03] - God's Love and Acceptance
[27:54] - Jesus' Constant Intercession
[29:25] - Resting in Jesus' Sacrifice
[30:54] - The Complete Work of Christ
[35:11] - Trusting in Jesus' Constancy
[36:13] - Communion and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Hebrews 7:23-28 say about the difference between the former priests and Jesus? How does this highlight Jesus' eternal priesthood? [11:44]
In the sermon, how is the changing nature of the world contrasted with the unchanging nature of Jesus? [04:26]
What role does Jesus' eternal priesthood play in providing stability and assurance according to the sermon? [11:44]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between Jesus and Melchizedek? Why is this comparison significant? [07:16]

Interpretation Questions

How does the eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood impact the way believers view their relationship with God? [11:44]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' unchanging nature provides comfort and depth in our relationship with Him? [13:53]
How does the sermon interpret the role of Jesus as an intercessor for believers? What does this mean for our daily lives? [23:28]
What does the sermon imply about the importance of aligning our decisions with the eternal truths of God's Word? [18:08]

Application Questions

Reflect on a recent change in your life that caused anxiety. How can the unchanging nature of Jesus provide you with peace in this situation? [04:26]
Consider a decision you are currently facing. How can you ensure that this decision aligns with the eternal truths of God's Word? [18:08]
In what ways can you remind yourself of Jesus' constant intercession for you during times of uncertainty or fear? [23:28]
How can you incorporate the assurance of Jesus' complete sacrifice into your daily life to stop striving for acceptance? [30:54]
Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to trust in Jesus' unchanging work. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in Him? [35:11]
How can you use the constancy of Jesus' love to strengthen your relationships with others, especially during times of change? [26:03]
Reflect on the concept of Jesus as the cornerstone of your life. What practical steps can you take to build your life more firmly on this foundation? [04:26]

Sermon Clips

1. "Everything in life changes. There are seasons. My kids, I don't know why, they've been repeating the scripture that says, there's a time for everything, a season underneath it. And they like to come up with their own little seasons and times, some of which are more appropriate than others, and then laugh about them and everything. But it's good. There's times, there's seasons, there's changes that come. And some of those, things can be very, very good. It can be very, very beautiful. And others can be very unsettling." [02:21] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "In a world where everything changes, we need some things that never do, and Jesus is that someone. Jesus is that something. We just sang that he's the cornerstone, He's the same yesterday, today, and forever, and we're going to read about him as we come to Hebrews chapter 7 in the Bible." [04:26] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus is God's continual presence with his people. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office. But, Jesus holds his priesthood permanently. He continues forever. Jesus is God's continual presence with his people." [11:44] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Times have changed. God's truth, God's ways have not. In Jesus, we have a priest that is unchanging. He continues to be the perfect fulfillment, the representative of God. And his truth and his ways do not change." [16:30] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You have constant, consistent relationship with Jesus who is constantly and consistently interceding for you, working on your behalf. So as you talk with your friend, where you have love and acceptance in him, that is Jesus's feeling. That is the feeling that Jesus has for you. That is the truth about your relationship. It doesn't change based on what you did." [27:54] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Here's the third thing that happens with consistency. We can stop working. We can stop striving. We can rest. Hebrews 7, verse 27, tells us why. He has no need, like those high priests offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once and for all when he offered up himself. Once and for all. It's done. Your past, covered. Your present, covered. Your present, future, covered. Once and for all. You can stop working. You can stop striving. You can stop wondering if you've done enough." [30:54] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "You can trust him. Have you ever noticed how you can't trust things that you can't count on? You can't trust what's not complete. You can't trust what's constantly changing. James 4 says that when we trust him, we can draw near to him. Verse 7 and 8, says this, submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, he'll flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Drawing near comes from trust." [33:12] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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