Monday in Holy Week

Hebrews 10:1-39; Mark 14:1-11

Assurance in Times of Stress; Warning in Times of Leisure

These Hebrews had grown a bit slack in their zeal for the Lord.  We know this from two places in this chapter.  Verse thirty-two calls the Hebrews to “recall the former days” when they gladly endured suffering and hardship, knowing that they had a far better abode awaiting them.  The fact that they must “recall” shows that they had forgotten.  The second place that speaks to the cooling of their ardor for the Lord is verse twenty-five where they are warned not to “neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some.”  In short, they needed some encouragement.

And they received it.  They are reminded of how superior our Lord’s offering of himself is to the former offerings of the bulls, lambs, and goats in which they used to place their trust.  Those offerings foreshadowed his.  While the priest must stand at the altar day after day, Christ offered himself once for all, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.  His blood cleanses us body and soul, clears the conscience, and makes us acceptable to the Father, for “he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

Therefore, Christians may have confidence to enter the holy place, the very throne-room of God, because of the blood of Jesus.  The curtain which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in the temple, which was rent asunder (Matthew 27:51) upon our Lord’s death on the cross, testifies to his precious body, which was rent asunder for us.  The loving heart of our God has been manifest and exposed to the world like never before.  Who could doubt?  Let us enter the Holy of Holies through his body, fully assured, with clear consciences, for He who calls us is the One who sent His Son to suffer and die for us.  Rejoice!  The path is before us, and it was cleared by our Lord.

But we must also hear the words of warning.  Having come to faith in Christ, we’ve no reason to treat sin lightly.  We of all people know how much it cost God, how much our salvation was worth to God.  How dare any of us treat sin as if it were a trifle!  We who believe never want to act in ways that “spurn the Son of God,” “profane the blood of the covenant,” and “outrage the Spirit of grace.”  Instead, let us hold fast our profession and endure, that we “may receive the promise.”  Judas betrayed the Lord and forfeited the promise; the woman who anointed Jesus persevered and received the promise.  And both are remembered.

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor View all posts by The Reformed Baptist