Daily Devotionals

Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening"

Devotional: December 12th

Morning

“He became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him.”

Hebrews 5

Hebrews 5:1 , Hebrews 5:2

An angelic priest for men would be out of place. Men need forbearance and sympathy, hence the priests of old were men of like passions with the people. This also is true of our Lord Jesus, who is most certainly and really a human being like the rest of mankind in all things except sin that stain never defiled his holy nature.

Hebrews 5:3

This refers to the typical high priest, but our Lord had no sin of his own; he bore our sin, but in him is no sin.

Hebrews 5:4-6

He was no unauthorised priest, self-appointed and unordained. What he does has the Father’s decree to back it. “It pleased the Father to bruise him,” and “it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” What solid ground we have for depending upon Jesus, the elect messenger of God, the ordained surety of the everlasting covenant!

Hebrews 5:7

The cup was not removed, but he was strengthened to drink it. If the Lord does not answer his people one way he does another. Jesus understands our feelings in prayer even when we cannot express them except by strong crying and tears. Experience has made him the ready interpreter of anguished hearts.

Hebrews 5:9

A perfected Saviour presents all believers with a perfect and everlasting salvation. He was always perfect in character, but his sorrowful life below gave him a complete qualification for the office of Saviour, which nothing else could have obtained. Who would not obey a Master who has undergone all kinds of sorrow that he may be able to sympathise with his servants? Who would not possess a salvation won for us by such condescending love.?

Hebrews 5:10

Here the apostle rises to a great height, and then suddenly pauses, remembering how unsuitable men’s minds often are for the reception of mysterious truth.

Hebrews 5:11

Of whom namely, Melchisedec

Hebrews 5:12

Too often we learn and unlearn. Our progress is slow, and we remain babes when we ought to be full grown men in Christ. We draw upon the church’s strength when we ought to be contributing to it.

Hebrews 5:13 , Hebrews 5:14

We should desire not only to be saved, and to know the elementary truths, but to be advanced scholars in Christ’s school, so as to handle the deeper doctrines, and teach them to others. Good Master, have patience with thy servants, and teach us still!

It is my sweetest comfort, Lord,

And will for ever be,

To muse upon the gracious truth

Of thy humanity.

Oh joy! there sitteth in our flesh,

Upon a throne of light,

One of a human mother born,

In perfect Godhead bright!

Evening

“Within the veil the forerunner is for us entered.”

Hebrews 6

Hebrews 6:1 , Hebrews 6:2

Children are to learn their letters in order that they may go on to higher brandies of education, and believers are to know the elements of the faith, but are then to advance to the higher attainments, and endeavour to understand the deeper mysteries.

Hebrews 6:3-6

If once the real work of grace fails it cannot be commenced again, the case is hopeless for ever. Hence the absolute necessity for persevering to the end. To draw back totally would be fatal.

Hebrews 6:7 , Hebrews 6:8

When all that is possible is done for a piece of land, and yet it bears no harvest it must be given up. If, after all, the Holy Spirit’s work in a man should prove fruitless, he must be given over to destruction, nothing else remains. Will any truly regenerated man ever come into this condition? The apostle answers this question in the next two verses.

Hebrews 6:9-10

But this perseverance demands earnestness on our part, hence he adds

Hebrews 6:11 , Hebrews 6:12

Those promises we shall inherit most surely, for we shall by grace be enabled to remain faithful until death.

Hebrews 6:13-20

The most solemn warnings against apostasy, and the declaration that total apostasy would be fatal, are not inconsistent with the great truth of the safety of all true saints. Safe they are, for the covenant promise and oath guarantee their security, their hope is placed where it cannot fail, and in their name Jesus has gone to take possession of heaven. Has he gone as a forerunner of those who may after all perish on the road? God forbid. Where our Head is, there must the members be ere long.

Raise, raise, my soul, thy raptured sight

With sacred wonder and delight;

Jesus, thine own forerunner see

Enter’d beyond the veil for thee.

Loud let the howling tempest yell,

And foaming waves to mountains swell,

No shipwreck can my vessel fear,

Since hope hath fix’d her anchor here.