Tag: priest of God Most High
The power of an indestructible life!
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!
Melchizedek and Jesus
Scripture reading for January 6th: Genesis 12-14
Abram and his nephew Lot were prosperous in the new land God had taken them to. Abram had built an altar to the Lord in Bethel and began to call upon the Lord. (Genesis 13:3-4) Lot and his herdsmen began to quarrel with Abram’s herdsmen. Abram was a peacemaker and decided they should separate. He gave Lot the choice of where he would settle. Lot had his eyes on the fertile plain and the city of Sodom. Sodom was a wicked city and the men there were sinning greatly in the sight of the Lord. (Genesis 13:13)
After Lot had moved, the Lord spoke to Abram, telling him to lift up his eyes and look in each direction. All that he could see would be given to him and his descendants forever! God reaffirmed that He would make Abram’s offspring as numerous as the dust of the earth. God encouraged Abram to walk through the land and survey it. Abram moved his tent near Hebron and built an altar to the Lord there. (Genesis 13:18) God blessed Abram for his faith and willingness to let God lead him to where he was supposed to be. This is a helpful hint for us in our walk. We can be selfish and reach out to take, or we can more wisely worship the Lord and follow Him!
Some time later, we find some kings attacking Sodom and carrying off Lot and his family, as well as the goods of Sodom. Abram took his men and went in pursuit. He recovered all the people plus the goods. (Genesis 14:16) As he returned, both the king of Sodom and Melchizedek, king of Salem (Jerusalem), came to meet Abram. Melchizedek, a priest of the Most High God, met Abram with bread and wine and blessed him. Abram responded by giving a tithe of everything to this mysterious priest and king. (Genesis 14:20)
Jesus Christ is said to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek, having the power of an endless life! (Hebrews 7:15-17) As a priest, Jesus intercedes for us before the throne. (Romans 8:34) He served His disciples bread and wine at the Last Supper and told them to do it often in remembrance of Him. (Matthew 26:26-29) He is also King of Kings and will reign in the Jerusalem during the millennium! (Revelation 20:4-5) Jesus alone is worthy of our worship, tithes, and dedication!