Daily Readings - Thu Jan 21 2021
Hebrews
25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.26Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.27Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.28For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
1The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,2and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.3Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.4If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.5They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."6But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.
Mark
7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed.8When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.9Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him.10For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.11Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."12But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound insights into the nature of Jesus' ministry and His divine role. The passage from Hebrews highlights Jesus as the eternal High Priest who offered a single, perfect sacrifice for all sins, unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Levitical priesthood. This emphasizes His unique role in redeeming humanity, once and for all. In Mark's Gospel, Jesus' healing miracles and the recognition by unclean spirits of His divine identity as the Son of God are showcased, illustrating His authority and compassion.
The context of Hebrews is a theological argument comparing Jesus' priesthood to the old covenant, stressing His superiority and the eternal efficacy of His sacrifice. Mark's narrative, set in the early days of Jesus' ministry, demonstrates His power over both physical and spiritual realms, reinforcing His divine authority. Both readings converge on the theme of Jesus' divine identity and mission, with Hebrews focusing on His priestly role and Mark on His ministry and recognition by spiritual beings.
Applying these readings to our lives, we are reminded to trust in Jesus' sacrifice and acknowledge His sovereignty. His priesthood calls us to live with faith and gratitude, recognizing His ongoing intercession for us. The moral lesson is clear: Jesus is our eternal High Priest and the Son of God, whose authority and sacrifice shape our understanding of salvation and our daily walk with Him. Let us reflect on how His priesthood influences our faith and actions, striving to live in the light of His divine love and authority.