Archive for category: GAMEtime Sharing

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Hebrews 7:20-28.  Let’s go!

Hebrews 7:21 (NIV) 
21  but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.'” 

On verses 20-21:  In a court of law, before a witness takes the stand, the witness makes a solemn promise, swearing to tell the truth.  This is called an oath.  The oath is meant to show that the person speaking is completely serious and sincere about the words he or she is about to speak and that his hearers can count on what he or she is saying. Likewise, when God spoke words to appoint Jesus as a priest, God swore an oath to show how serious and sincere He was about the pronouncement He was making.

Whereas others naturally became priests by being born into the tribe of Levi, Jesus supernaturally became a priest by way of God’s oath or promise.  It’s similar to what happened with Abraham’s two sons, Ishmael and Isaac.   First there was Ishmael who was conceived in an ordinary, natural, man-made way.  But then came Isaac, who was conceived supernaturally as the result of God’s promise (see Romans 9:9 and Galatians 4:23).  Jesus became a priest because of a promise.

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Hebrews 7:1-10.  Let’s go!

Hebrews 7:3 (NIV) 
3  Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. 

On verses 1-4:  A few times already the writer of Hebrews has mentioned Melchizedek, saying that Jesus is a priest “in the order of Melchizedek” (for example, Hebrews 5:10; 6:20).  Now who is Melchizedek?  Melchizedek is a mysterious figure who is first mentioned in Genesis 14 where Abram has just returned from victoriously battling a number of kings.  All of a sudden, Melchizedek king of Salem appears, bringing bread and wine (v18).  In addition to being a king, Melchizedek is also called “priest of God Most High” (v18) and blesses Abram (v19).  Did you notice the parallels between Melchizedek and Jesus Christ?  For example:

Melchizedek is simultaneously a king and a priest, just like Jesus.  In fact the first mention of “priest” in the Bible is with reference to Melchizedek.  Similarly, it can be said that Jesus the eternal Son of God was and is the first ever priest. 

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Hebrews 6:1-12.  Let’s go!

Hebrews 6:1-3 (NIV) 
1  Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
2  instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3  And God permitting, we will do so.

On verses 1-3:  Just before this, the writer of Hebrews rebuked his readers for failing to mature spiritually.  As part of telling them to grow up, he mentions six topics that are foundational for every Christian to understand:

The first is “repentance from acts that lead to death” (v1), meaning the importance of turning from our sin (including our tendency to want to earn our salvation by our own good works) and turning to God.
The second is the importance of faith (v1).
The third is the importance of baptisms, referring to water baptism and baptism of the Holy Spirit (v2).
The fourth is “the laying on of hands” (v2), probably referring to how every believer is called and commissioned to serve God.

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Hebrews 4:12-16.  These verses are worth memorizing.  They contain some powerful truths that we need to store up in our hearts.   Let’s go!

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) 
12  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

On verse 12:  Though the Scriptures (the logos “word of God”) were written thousands of years ago, they are incredibly relevant, applicable and helpful for us today.  Case in point: just before this, in verses 1 to 11 the writer of Hebrews gave a powerful sermon on Psalm 95 to communicate the powerful and relevant truth that trusting in Jesus’ finished work on the cross allows us to enter God’s rest.   What can we learn from this?  God actively uses the Scriptures to speak into our current situations.  God’s Word truly is living and active.

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Hebrews 3:7-19.  Let’s go!

Hebrews 3:7-8 (NIV) 
7  So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, 
8  do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,

On verses 7-12:  There are two crucial lessons I learn as I read these verses today.
First, notice that in verses 7-11 the writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 95:7-11 and prefaces it was saying, “as the Holy Spiritsays”.  In other words, the writer of Hebrews believed the Old Testament is not just people’s words, but the inspired words of the Holy Spirit.

Second, notice that in this passage we are told not to harden our hearts and not to have an unbelieving heart that turns away from the Lord (v12).  In other words, your heart’s condition is your choice.  The condition of your heart is not something that is beyond your control.  Rather, you choose whether you will have a soft heart or a hardened heart toward God.  You choose whether you will have a heart that humbly responds to God or a heart that pridefully and stubbornly rejects Him.   It’s your choice.  Choose a soft and humble heart toward God today.