The Counsel of Peace (Zechariah 6:9-15)

Zechariah moves from being the recipient of visions to the prophet who brings the word of the Lord to the Lord's people. He brings a revelation that a crown is to be placed on the priest's head, and then the crown is the be placed in the temple. The promise is that the branch brings the council of peace between them both. We might think that there is a tension between the king in Israel and the priest. However, it is not an issue of the people, but the separate offices. Zechariah is speaking of the priest king who has no beginning of days nor end of days that we know as Melchizedek.

God’s Priestly People (Zechariah 3)

Zechariah sees a court room. This court scene is in heaven. In this vision Zechariah sees the Angel of the Lord, Satan, and Joshua the high priest assembled for court. Joshua is dressed in a garment that is ceremonially unclean. It is uncouth and not something that the priest should wear. The Lord commands the priest to be unclothed and clothed once more. The priest's condemning garments are removed, but not to humiliate him. This testifies to the Lord's redeeming mercy not only for the priest, but even for his people. The Lord demonstrates in his vision his passion to redeem, cleans, and dwell with his people forever.

What Sort of Redeemer? (Hebrews 7)

We are a sinful people confirmed in sin and have no hope apart from the Grace of God.  It is a blessing that the Lord shows his grace to us, but how do we know that his grace in enough?  How do we know that the promises of the Gospel are enough to save?  How do we know that having Christ as our priest is enough for our entrance into heaven?

Sabbath People Journeying to Heaven (Heb 4:8-16)

The reality is that the people of God are called to enter the rest that Israel looked to enter. You would think that they arrived in the rest having the land, but yet there is still a day that is marked as a day of rest. How can this exhortation for us to strive to enter that rest be encouraging for us?

The Cross Examination (2) (Malachi 2:1-9)

We know that the ministering priesthood of Israel has come to completion because of Christ’s priestly work.  Malachi rebukes the priests in Israel, and so what value can Malachi’s warning for the priests have for us today?

A Distant, but Sympathetic Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16 LD 23; COD Head 2 Article 4)

If Christ is in heaven how can He know our struggle?  If Christ is in heaven it seems that He is too distant to care.  So, how do we know that Christ is not too far away to care about our struggles here?

Limited or Universal Atonement? (1)(Hebrews 9:23-28; 10:11-18 COD Head 2 Article 3, 8)

The Reformed position on Christ’s death on the cross is probably not the majority view in Christianity.  If this position is held by a minority then what basis would people have to hold it? How do we see that really any conservative Christian believes in a limited atonement?  What is more, how can the Reformed definition of a limited atonement actually teach a very gracious God?