21 Apr, 2008
Pope Benedict XVI Visits America
Pope Benedict XVI greets worshippers as he arrives to lead a Mass at the Nationals Park stadium in Washington, April 17, 2008.
8:52 p.m. ET, 4/17/08
photo courtesy msnbc.msn.com
A visit from the Pope
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
Jesus Christ is our High Priest
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
According to today's God's Story scripture, why is Jesus greater than any priesthood?
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and lived on earth as a man and therefore is the ultimate High Priest. To the Jews of the Old Testament, the high priest was the highest religious authority because he was the only one who could enter the Holy of Holies in the Temple once a year to arrange for the forgiveness of their sins. Because He died and rose again to pay for our sins, Jesus Christ intercedes for us before God.
Isn't it encouraging to know that Jesus faced all the temptations we'll ever face and He never sinned? This means He understands us and all of our weaknesses. As God's representative, He guarantees our forgiveness!
Because Jesus is God and is always at God's right hand, interceding for His followers, we do not need an earthly priest to approach God and receive His forgiveness.
Prayer is our direct approach to God, and we can come "boldly" to Him through Jesus Christ. God always hears us when we pray.
When you know Christ as your Savior, you can always have a personal visit with the highest spiritual authority!
- Thank God for the privilege of being able to come to Him directly because Jesus is your Savior. Right now, confess any sin in your life that God's Spirit brings to your attention. Thank God for forgiving you because of what Jesus did for you on the cross. Ask Jesus to help you turn from that sin and walk with Him alone. Thank Him for being your Savior, Lord, "High Priest", and Friend.
- Every day, go directly to God through His Son Jesus in prayer.
How can we connect today's story and today's God's Story scripture and our story to others?
Talk to those in your storysphere about the Pope's visit to America. Ask them about their impressions and if this made them think about relating to God's Story? Remember that the purpose of this conversation is not to evaluate the Pope or Catholic views, but to learn more of their story as you share that your story includes the privilege of having the highest spiritual authority in the universe present in your life at all times.
- February 2012 [5]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
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- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
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- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
