Devotion for October 19, 2021

Hebrews 7:26-28
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned setting aside the divinity of Jesus for a moment. This week’s devotion is a reminder of that divine nature. Jesus became the eternal high priest when he offered himself fully for humanity. Maybe you aren’t like me, but I try to offer myself to others, with the best of intentions, only to get distracted by a shiny object (something I want to do) or discouraged by feeling taken advantage of or not getting recognized for my goodness.

Thanks be to God that others salvation does not depend on me but rather on the Son, made perfect forever. May we never be so prone to expecting perfection from others and ourselves that we develop a Savior complex, or more like a judge-jury-executioner complex. To love those who challenge, anger, test, or disappoint us is not a test of who they are, but rather who you and I are, living once again into our weaknesses. Let us be thankful for the perfect and blameless love of the Christ.