God’s Mission

Hebrews 5:1-14

1 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”

6 And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Warning Against Falling Away
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

The mission of God is to see good fruit produced from the tree of salvation known as Jesus. By being connected to Him, we become good fruit and, eventually, turn into good fruit-producers via ourselves by our connection to the Vine (branches).

It was on a tree, one of the biblical words used to describe the cross, that God’s sets the stage for our salvation. Without Jesus’ death there is no fruit of the Resurrection. As Jesus died and rose from the dead, so we also to live a new life.

Prayer

Father God, I celebrate Your accomplished mission in Jesus -- accomplished in part at least. I rejoice that I have been brought into the kingdom as one of Your children, fruit of Jesus’ vine. Thank You for those other children of ours who invested in me to connect me to Jesus by faith. In faith, let me become a vessel allowing others to experience being connected to Jesus as well. Amen.

Micro-Meditation Scripture

Psalm 27:7-14

7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, LORD;
lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.