Tag: order of Melchizedek
Our Great High Priest!
Scripture reading for October 21st: Hebrews 7
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Hebrews 7: 23-26 “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. Such a High Priest meets our need–one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.”
Levitical priests were appointed by men and served until their deaths. When they went before God, they needed a sacrifice for their own sins as well as the sins of the people they represented. But Jesus Christ became a priest after the order of Melchizedek based on several amazing truths. He was appointed a Priest forever by God’s oath, not by men. He could serve as a permanent Priest because of His endless life, being raised from the dead. He offered Himself, His body and blood, as the atonement sufficient to pay the penalty of the sins of all mankind and He sat down, His work of salvation finished once for all!
Observations for over-comers: Jesus Christ, our High Priest, meets every need we have or will ever have. He alone can save us completely! “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a Priest forever, in the Order of Melchizedek.”” (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:17)
Jesus: A Priest forever!
Scripture reading for October 20th: Hebrews 5
High priests in Old Testament Israel came from Aaron, Moses’s brother, appointed by God to that position. He was a sinful man, and could identify with the people and offered sacrifices for their sins as well as his own. But Aaron and his offspring were limited in their ability to serve the people, in that death took them away. Although this priesthood was still helpful, God had something better in mind for his people.
“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) Jesus was called by His own Father to become a Priest forever! Melchizedek was an Old Testament figure that has some mystery about him. (See Genesis 14:17-20) He was ‘king of Salem’ and ‘priest of God Most High’ in the time of Abram. Abram was met by Melchizedek as he returned after rescuing Lot from King Kedorlaomer. He brought Abram bread and wine and gave Abram a blessing from God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. Abram, in response, gave Melchizedek a tithe of all the spoils! There was no record of Melchizedek’s birth or death, it was like he just appeared and disappeared.
Jesus Christ was appointed to the order of Melchizedek! He meets His brethren and offers a meal of bread and wine, His own body and blood! He is a Priest forever–with eternal existence, past, present and future! He came to bless His brothers and deliver them from their enemies and make known Father God to them. He is our great High Priest who blesses us with eternal life!
Focus on Jesus!
Scripture reading for December 12th: Hebrews 3-4
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor that Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.” Hebrews 3:1-3
The Bible is clear about where to fix our thoughts–on Jesus Christ! By focusing on Jesus we can have rest from worry, fear, and religious works that try to gain God’s favor. We can rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ to bring us into God’s glorious rest!
Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest that we confess. He rose from the dead and became a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:8-10) His perfect obedience enabled Him to be made perfect through suffering death on a cross for our sins. He is a great High Priest who knows what we are going through and how to come to our aid! (Hebrews 4:14-16) He can intercede for us day or night. His priestly ministry is always available and we have access by His own blood!
Jesus is greater than Moses, who led the people out of Egypt and gave them the law of God. Moses was supposed to lead the people into the promised land, but the people rebelled. They would not listen to God’s Word and their unbelief kept them from their inheritance! (Hebrews 3:19)
Jesus is greater than Joshua who also failed to lead God’s people to the full conquest of the promised land. Jesus ushers each of us into a new day–today! (Hebrews 4:6-7) We can enter the rest by faith in Him! By hearing His voice and responding in faith, we can place our full trust on God’s provision through Jesus Christ!
This rest is one of my favorite themes! My life has been one of constant work. I enjoy work but must be constantly reminded that I have received salvation through the work of Christ. I must daily rest in Him and only work out of that rest! Share this rest with someone close to you!
The source of eternal salvation!
Scripture reading for November 3rd: Hebrews 5:1-14
Nothing in this life lasts forever. The law of entropy is at work. Brand new automobiles soon wear out or break down. Technology that is cutting edge today is obsolete tomorrow. Our bodies that are young and vibrant are soon old and weak! But God has given us something that will last forever: eternal salvation!
“And He says of Him, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” “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 5:6-10)
In order to become the source of eternal salvation, Jesus Christ humbled Himself in complete obedience to the will of the Father and became a man. God loved the world and man whom He had made in His image and likeness. (John 3:16) He wanted all men to be saved so He designated His Son, Jesus Christ as a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Melchizedek was a priest who met Abraham after he defeated the king of Sodom. He was a king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. As a priest, He had no recorded genealogy. There was no record of his birth or of his death. This priest stands out in history because he is priest without beginning or ending. His was an eternal priesthood. Abraham honored Him by giving a tenth (tithe) of the spoils. (Genesis 14:18-20)
Jesus Christ was designated by God to be a priest forever after this eternal order of Melchizedek. He earned this right through total submission and obedience to His Father. He offered up prayers and petitions with crying and tears while offering His body and then His life-blood for lost sinners. He was raised up after three days to become our High Priest and the source of eternal salvation! He ever lives to intercede for those He saved! He is King of Kings and will rule in Salem (Jerusalem)! He blesses the children of Abraham through their faith!