Posts Tagged ‘Melchezidek’

Scripture reading for November 5th: Hebrews 7:1-17

Almost everyone has a desire to live forever.  That was God’s original intention when He  made man in His image and likeness, but sin cut short man’s life.  God has given us a record of a man who was a priest of God Most High named Melchizedek.  This man has no record of his birth or his death, appearing to be eternal. No one knows for sure who this man was or where he came from.

Melchizedek appeared before Abraham to bless him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything he had!  (Genesis 14:18-20)  He was a priest before their was a Levitical priesthood.  In fact, the Levitical priesthood was in the loins of Abraham when he paid homage to Melchizedek by giving him the tithe!  The writer of Hebrews shows that this proves Melchizedek’s priesthood to be superior to the Levitical priesthood.  (Hebrews 7:7-9)

Jesus Christ descended from the tribe of Judah, not Levi.  Because of this, Jesus normally could not have been appointed as a priest.  But God declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:17)   Jesus was declared a priest after the order of Melchizedek because He really was eternal!  He was before time began and now lives forever.  The order of Melchizedek uniquely fits the Son of God!

Death always stopped the Levitical priests from their work of sacrifice and intercession.  They were unable to finish the needed work.  The law and animal sacrifices could never make anyone perfect.  Sacrifices needed to be made continually for the people and the priests.  The law could only reveal sin, but never deliver anyone from it’s power. The fear of death hung over all men because eternity was in man’s heart.  He knew deep inside that sin would bring judgment and punishment.

But Jesus Christ came under the law and perfectly obeyed it’s precepts.  He died to give the perfect sacrifice for man’s sins–His own body and blood!  He offered them once–for all!  He tasted death for all men and was buried in a tomb.  The third day, He arose in a glorified body.  He showed His body to the disciples.  He was now alive forever and would be a Priest in the order of Melchizedek!

Dear Friends,

Greetings on another day of rest.  This is the third Sunday of Advent.  Joy is the theme for today. The angels rejoiced at the birth of Jesus and sang joyful hymns of praise!  The shepherds heard the angel’s announcement, went to find the baby and rejoiced with Joseph and Mary.  As we prepare our hearts, we are filled with joy anticipating the coming of Jesus Christ.  This time He will come with the hosts of heaven and we who believe in Him will be caught up to meet Him in the air!  So shall we ever be with the Lord!

Today’s reading to help us finish on time comes from Hebrews 5-7.  Here are a few of my favorite scriptures from this section.  I hope that they will speak to you of the character and love of Jesus Christ!  May they inspire joy on this day of rest.

“No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.  So Christ also did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest.  But God said to Him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”  And He says in another place, ” You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:4-6

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.  Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and , once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:7-10

“God did this so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.  He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18-20

“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood.  Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:23-25

May the Lord bless your day of rest and reflection with great joy and peace through Jesus Christ!  In His Love,  Pastor John