Saturday of Ember Week in September
Posted on September 21, 2024 by under
Scripture: Hebrews 9:2-12 (NKJV)
9:2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Devotion
In the Ember Days, it is right that we reflect on the mercy which the Lord has shown toward us. The writer to the Hebrews teaches the Church that all that which the Lord appointed for the Old Testament tabernacle and temple served to point to the Christ, who is the perfect High Priest and Temple, who obtained eternal redemption. For generations, the temple stood before the eyes of the people, served by the priests, as the place wherein the sacrifices were offered for the sake of the Lord’s saints. But now, the everlasting High Priest has come, by whose death atonement is made for all sin. The One who was the hope of Israel is the One who is the salvation of all who are led by the Holy Spirit in the way of repentance and faith to have their hope in Christ Jesus. The eternal Son of God became Man and dwelt among us, that we, through faith in Him, would be made partakers of that eternal redemption.
As the son of the widow of Nain could contribute nothing to his salvation, so we, too, are raised from the death of sin by the work of God through the Word. The Word and Sacraments are those means whereby we are brought to, and sustained in, faith in our great High Priest, Christ Jesus our Lord.
Collect: We beseech Thee, O Lord, that our weakness may be upheld by Thy healing mercy, so that what of itself is falling into ruin may be restored by Thy clemency; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Festival of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
O Almighty God, Who by Thy blessed Son didst call Matthew from the receipt of custom to be an Apostle and Evangelist: Grant us grace to forsake all covetous desires, and inordinate love of riches, and to follow the same Thy Son Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Lord, we pray Thee, that Thy grace may always go before and follow after us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
