Hebrews 6:16-20 — "I swear!"

READ THIS: Hebrews 6:16-20

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Today, we are going to talk about promises and oaths. A promise is something we are pretty familiar with, right? When someone commits to something with another person, we call it a promise. An oath is a little intense than that. It's a promise BUT it also involves swearing (or promising specifically) to something greater than yourself that you will do it. You've probably heard someone "swear to God" before in both not great ways and in serious ways. Back in the olden days, the Israelites would make oaths as a sort of ultimate promise! If you remember yesterday's devo, God actually swore by Himself (because there is no one greater than Him) when He promised Abraham many descendants. But, what does that even mean?

God was trying to teach us, back then and even today, that He is faithful and never changes! Verse 18 tells us that it is impossible for God to lie... how crazy is that?! Think about some of the big things God has promised us, then think about the fact that God never goes back on His own word. The best example we have for this, just like verses 19 and 20 show us, is Jesus Christ Himself! He was promised to us long ago, came and did exactly what He said He would, and because of Him, our promise of eternal life is as unchanging as our God is, as long as we believe in Him!
 
(Lastly... if you are confused at all about the last sentence of this passage and that Melchizedek guy, check out a devo we wrote a few days ago about it!)

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Is it hard to think that God is unchanging? What parts of the Bible or your own experience make you doubt that God doesn't ever change?
 
2. This passage says that Jesus is like an anchor to us... how have you seen Jesus be an anchor to your faith?

TRY THIS:

How are your drawing skills? I hope they are better than mine! Draw a little anchor on your hand, a sticky note, or somewhere you'll see it often today. When you take a look at it, remember that Jesus is the anchor to our faith!

SONG OF THE WEEK:

Listen to this song and think about God's promises!



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