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Running the Race

Apr 04
Posted by Pastor Howard White in Devotionals

Hebrews 12:1–3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.  3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart

“And let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”  That is a favorite verse of many people, especially people who are going through challenging times.  Most of us have run in races at some point in time in our lives.  I remember the last running race that I won.  It occurred in second grade, and I beat out every other person in my class in the one hundred foot run.  Not one hundred yards, just one hundred feet.  I have not won a running race since.  In fact, I am a very slow runner.  I remember much better the perseverance it took to complete two half-marathons, one in Bozeman, Montana, and one in Savanna, Illinois.  It was a challenge to run 13 miles.  Each took almost 2 hours of continuous running.  No walking, just running. (more…)

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Jesus the Mediator

Mar 23
Posted by Pastor Howard White in Devotionals

Hebrews 4:14–16

14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus is described here as the high priest, which in the era of temple sacrifices in ancient Israel was the person standing between the people and God.  The high priest was the mediator.  It may have been the case that some high priests became pleased with themselves in their role.  They may have thought themselves to be better than the people they served and grew distant from them, unable to sympathize with them and their weaknesses.  Jesus is pictured differently and is described as the one who has been “tested as we are.” (more…)

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The Specialness of Jesus

Dec 15
Posted by Pastor Howard White in Devotionals

Hebrews 1:1–4

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

This text is full of statements of belief about Jesus.  Jesus is God’s Son, and not just one of the prophets.  He is the one through whom God created all that is, which echoes the ideas in the first chapter of John’s gospel.  He shows us what God is like, having the same “being” as God.  He is more important than the angels who announced his coming. (more…)

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Faith and Trust

Sep 12
Posted by Pastor Howard White in Devotionals

Hebrews 11:23–25

23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

This letter to the Hebrews is intended to enable first century Jews to believe in God’s action in Jesus.  The author connects the Old Testament with what happened in the life and death and ministry of Jesus.  In this section the author speaks about the faith of people in the Old Testament. (more…)

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Blessing and Discipleship

May 17
Posted by Pastor Howard White in Devotionals

Hebrews 13:20–21

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen

These two verses are almost the very end of the letter to the Hebrews.  They are described in my Bible as a benediction, which means blessing.  In this blessing there is a declaration about what God has done in the Lord Jesus.  Then it continues on with these words: “make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight.”  The blessing says nothing about how we will prosper and get rich.  It says nothing about how our lives will be free of challenges.  The blessing speaks about “everything good, doing God’s will, and what is pleasing to God.” (more…)

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Resurrection and My Friend

Apr 20
Posted by Pastor Howard White in Devotionals

Hebrews 12:1–3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

The email that I had been expecting came this morning.  A good friend is now in hospice care.  This text is the one “assigned” for Wednesday of Holy Week, but it is so appropriate for my friend. (more…)

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Holy Partners

Mar 21
Posted by Pastor Howard White in Devotionals

Hebrews 3:1–4

Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also “was faithful in all God’s house.” 3 Yet Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)

This passage, especially as it continues in the following verses, is really about Jesus.  But, hidden away in the first verse is a phrase that speaks about us.  “Holy partners in a heavenly calling” is what we are to the author of the letter to the Hebrews.  As brothers and sisters in the faith we are holy partners in a heavenly calling.  As we begin a new work week, do we think of ourselves in that way? (more…)

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Jesus, Our Brother

Mar 14
Posted by Pastor Howard White in Devotionals

Hebrews 2:10–11

10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.

Sometimes I think we forget that Jesus is our brother.  He is our Lord and Savior, the Redeemer of the world, but he claims us as his brothers and sisters.  When he sacrificed his life, he sacrificed it for his brothers and sisters. (more…)

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Faith of Moses

Mar 04
Posted by Pastor Howard White in Devotionals

Hebrews 11:23–28

23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

This is from the section of the letter to the Hebrews in which the author is speaking of the faith of Old Testament heroes such as Moses, Noah, Abraham, Rahab, Samson, and King David.  They had faith in God.  They trusted in God. (more…)

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Jesus the High Priest

Mar 03
Posted by Pastor Howard White in Devotionals

Hebrews 8:1–7

Now the main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent that the Lord, and not any mortal, has set up. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They offer worship in a sanctuary that is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly one; for Moses, when he was about to erect the tent, was warned, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one.

This text from Hebrews was picked in the daily lectionary to help get us ready for Sunday, when we celebrate the Transfiguration.  The Transfiguration was a mountain top experience in which Jesus is present with the appearances of Moses and Elijah.  The voice of God from the cloud declares Jesus to be God’s Son. (more…)

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