Monthly Study
March 2024A Better Way
The Book of Hebrews
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.—Hebrews 1:1–2
Imagine being taught to worship God a certain way your entire life. Then, suddenly, you are told that what you have always done is no longer necessary. You worshiped the old way, as did your parents and their parents before them. Now you are being told something new!
It’s hard for us to imagine what it must have been like for Jewish believers in the early church. The book of Hebrews was written to help them (and us) understand why Jesus is the better way. Hebrews inspires us to live by faith, putting Jesus at the center of everything.
Your devotional author,
John Koessler
Volume 37Edition 3
Managing Editor: Jamie Janosz, Senior Editor: Elena Mafter, Contributing Editor: John Koessler. Writer: John Koessler, Art Director: Lynn Gabalec, Graphic Designer: Rachel Hutcheson, Marketing: JD Hamby, Production: Rhonda AuYeun
About the Author
John Koessler
Dr. John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the "Practical Theology" column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor.
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Podcasts
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The Last Word
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People sometimes wish that God would say something to them. They have a question to ask or perhaps even a complaint to air...
March 1, 2024
Better Than Angels
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Angels are everywhere. You see them on charm bracelets, in pictures, and shaped in sculpture...
March 2, 2024
Don’t Drift Away
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I live near one of the Great Lakes, so I sometimes float on the lake in an inner tube in the summer. I prefer to stay in one location, but I’ve noticed how easy it is to drift.
March 3, 2024
Seeing Jesus
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In a later chapter, the author of Hebrews defines faith as “assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1). And 2 Corinthians 5:7 makes a similar point...
March 4, 2024
Made Like Us
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How human was Jesus? In his book Jesus Wars, author Philip Jenkins observes, “In the early centuries of Christianity, very strong forces were pulling Christ Godward and heavenward.”
March 5, 2024
If You Hear His Voice
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Next to the Old Testament patriarch Abraham, perhaps no human figure was as highly regarded by the recipients of this letter as Moses.
March 6, 2024
Enduring Faith
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At the beginning of my Christian experience, I counted the days, weeks, and months that I had been following Jesus.
March 7, 2024
A Better Rest
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A famous saying goes, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Hebrews 4 makes a similar observation,...
March 8, 2024
Draw Near
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Most people’s idea of confidence is rooted in themselves. It is self-confidence. It is a can-do attitude, or at least a will-do mentality.
March 9, 2024
A Better High Priest
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Job postings usually include a section describing the qualifications for that position. They ask for a certain level of experience. Hebrews 5:1–3 describes one of the most essential...
March 10, 2024
Growing Up
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Many parents rejoice when their child begins to eat solid food. It may only be a bit of cracker or a cookie, but it is cause for celebration because it is a sign of growth.
March 11, 2024
Moving On in Faith
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My wife taught at the elementary school level for most of her teaching career. She often told me that she enjoyed teaching beginning skills to her students.
March 12, 2024
An Anchor for the Soul
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When the S. S. Badger sails into the harbor in Ludington, Michigan, it drops anchor as it sails into port. The anchor secures the ship, which is 410 feet long and seven stories tall, as it...
March 13, 2024
The King of Peace
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Monarchs often have many titles. For example, King Charles III of England is officially His Majesty Charles the Third, by the Grace of God,...
March 14, 2024
A Better Hope
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The first recipients of the letter to the Hebrews would have been very familiar with Psalm 19:7, which says: “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul...
March 15, 2024
A New Covenant
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Sometimes it is hard to part with a well-loved item, even if the new version is better. For example, a baseball player might be reluctant to replace his favorite mitt.
March 16, 2024
The Flaw in the Law
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Recently, I installed a new ceiling light with an exhaust fan in our home. When I flipped the switch, the light turned on but not the fan. My first thought was...
March 17, 2024
Nothing but the Blood
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An old hymn asks, “What can wash away my sins?” The answer? “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” In chapter 9, the author of Hebrews explains how Jesus changed, once for all, the way our sins are forgiven.
March 18, 2024
A Better Sacrifice
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We don’t talk about sacrifices very much today, but they were a common practice in many religions. Sacrifices were offered for various reasons.
March 19, 2024
Living in the Law’s Shadow
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My two sons lived on the other side of the country for several years. Because it was too far away to conveniently travel, we would visit via video.
March 20, 2024
Once for All
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The instructions on most shampoo bottles tell users to “wash, rinse, repeat.” Sometimes called the shampoo algorithm, these words (especially the third)...
March 21, 2024
Draw Near
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People who travel often carry a passport. A passport is a kind of permission slip that grants its bearer access they otherwise would not have had.
March 22, 2024
Faith and Hope
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C. S. Lewis defined faith as “the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.” Faith is not a spiritual mood or an emotional state.
March 23, 2024
Faith in What Is Unseen
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Faith is a kind of vision. But unlike ordinary sight, faith concentrates our attention on things we cannot see. Noah and Abraham are good examples.
March 24, 2024
Persistence of Vision
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Persistence of vision is the effect you see when you wave a sparkler in the air. The light appears to remain in place after the sparkler has moved.
March 25, 2024
Something Better for Us
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One of the lyrics in the first stanza of the hymn “How Firm a Foundation” asks, “What more can He say than to you He hath said, who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?”
March 26, 2024
The Discipline of Hardship
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After going through hardship, one woman widely known for her spirituality complained to God. “If this is the way you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few of them,”...
March 27, 2024
A Better Word
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In today’s world, some say that Christians and non-Christians are in a “culture war.” How should we live in a society that views us with suspicion and hostility?
March 28, 2024
The Unshakable Kingdom
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We have a lot of wrong ideas about God. Contrary to what some believe, God is not our buddy. He is not an overindulgent grandfather who lives in the sky.
March 29, 2024
Living Forward
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Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard observed, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” The author of Hebrews might agree with this.
March 30, 2024
Strengthened by Grace
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On the final day of the college classes I taught, I was always haunted by the thought of everything I hadn’t found time to say.
March 31, 2024