The One Year New Testament
September 1
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John 8:39-59
John 8:39-59
39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Reflection
Though Jesus is less than fifty years old, he claims to have lived from before the time of Abraham (John 8:57–58), whose life had ended more than 2,000 years previously. Just as God had said his own name is “I am who I am” when he spoke to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:14), so Jesus now says that he is “I am” (John 8:58).
Christ’s claim to divinity is so unmistakable that the Jewish leaders pick up stones to kill him (v. 59). Jesus is declaring himself to be the eternal God of Israel —the same God who called Abraham, the same God who met Moses at the burning bush. Jesus, who is God (1:2), was sent by the Father from heaven (8:42) to show us what the Father is like (cf. 1:18). As he would later tell Philip, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (14:9). If we want to know who God is, there is no clearer revelation than the person of God the Son, Jesus Christ (cf. Heb. 1:3).
Hebrews 7:11-21
Hebrews 7:11-21
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”
Reflection
Jesus is superior to the Old Testament high priests. They all came from the line of Aaron the Levite (Heb. 7:11), and it was impossible for Jesus to belong to that order because in his humanity he was descended from Judah, not Aaron. So what did God do? He established another priesthood, this one associated with the priest Melchizedek from Genesis 14. Old Testament priests were installed by legal procedures (Heb. 7:16), but Christ became a priest by God’s oath: “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek” (v. 17; cf. Ps. 110:4). Levitical priests died and were replaced in office by their sons. But Christ is a priest in the order of Melchizedek and therefore needs no successor because he is a priest “by the power of an indestructible life,” seen in his resurrection from the dead (Heb. 7:16).
Psalm 110:2-4
Psalm 110:2-4
2 The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power,
in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning,
the dew of your youth will be yours.
4 The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.”
Thoughts For Prayer
Jesus is the ultimate and final Priest who presents us before God. Rejoice that you can now come directly to the Father through Jesus the Son. He is the only go-between available, and he is the only one we will ever need.
Missions Prayer Requests More
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September 1, 2025
Supported Workers: Mark & Patti Bean
Countries: Peru, United States of America
During the first two weeks of September, Mark and Patti will be in Peru. Mark hopes to check the books of Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, and chapters 1—13 of 2 Samuel for the Panatawa Quechua team. Pray not only for good concentration and attention to detail while checking Scripture, but also for protection over schedules, health, and rest. Pray that the people who will eventually receive these books will be hungry to know more about God and find him in his Word.
Malta (Europe). Population: 545,405 Believers: 1.3%. The most religious nation in Europe, Malta has deeply Catholic sensibilities. The majority regularly attend mass, and over 80% feel that their religion is important to them. However, not many Maltese enjoy a personal walk with the living Lord Jesus. Pray that their strong religious tradition may serve as a door into and not a barrier against greater commitment to the kingdom. Martinique (Caribbean). Population: 340,439 Believers: 6.1%. Many Christians come from dysfunctional or single-parent families and from a background of immorality and drug abuse. Pray for churches to be grounded in the Word and for young people to be called into full-time service. From Operation World DVD-ROM 2010 and www.operationworld.org
The One Year New Testament Copyright Tyndale House Publishers, used by Permission. NIV Bible copyright International Bible Society.