June 25: No Go-Between

“31Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah…33I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts…34And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me.” –Jeremiah 31.31, 33-34
In the Old Testament (the “old covenant”), people could really only come to God rightly through the priests. They could only know God through the prophets. Some people throughout the history of the church have tried to tell Christians that they have to approach God through priests or pastors. But this is definitely not true!
What Pentecost finally established was the freedom and ability of everyone to personally know God through Jesus! 1 John 2.27-28 says that “you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing (the Holy Spirit) teaches you about everything…” Certainly teachers are still of great use in the church. But here’s the point: God now teaches us about Himself personally in His Word and in Jesus Christ!
1. How does this change the joy of your responsibility to approach God in prayer and in His Word?
2. Spend some time simply enjoying the Lord’s presence. Maybe you want to thank Him for teaching you about Himself personally.