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Hebrews 7:23-38
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 truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
New International Version (NIV)
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We can’t always read books by the cover. This is especially true with people. Early in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings readers meet a mysterious figure named Strider. As a ranger, it is clear he is not to be trifled with. But who could have known he was Aragorn II, the heir of Isildor, the rightful King of Gondor? When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, who could have known he was the incarnate Word of God taking on flesh to be our redeemer.
One can be forgiven for failing to think for long about Melchizedek in the book of Genesis. But this is precisely where the writer of Hebrews finds his sermon in chapter seven. After Abraham won a victory he ran into the King of the city of Salem, whose name Melchizedek means King of righteousness. For some reason Abraham tithed the spoils of his victory to the mysterious figure. In turn Melchizedek blessed Abraham.
As the Spirit inspired the writer of Hebrews, he saw in that priestly King a type of Jesus, the true King of righteousness and King of Salem/Shalom/Peace. If Abraham tithed to Melchizedek and received a blessing from him the priest must have been greater than Abraham. But who in Hebrew history could be greater than Abraham? Whether Melchizedek was actually an early appearance of Jesus or just represents him for Hebrews we are not sure. For some reason though, the Psalmist picks up his name speaking of the Messiah in Psalm 110.
The Hebrews in ancient times and the people of God today need a priest who is greater than the Levitical line. Jesus, alone, meets that need. As permanent High Priest, Jesus saves us completely forever to pray for us, interceding with the Father on our behalf. Jesus still saves all who come to him.. He doesn’t offer animal sacrifices like the Old Testament priests. No. Once and for all Jesus made the perfect sacrifice by offering himself. God declares on oath that Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Good news: we have access to God through the perfect sacrifice of his Son. There is more to our lives than we can see at present. Someday we and the whole creation will see that we have been redeemed as sons and daughters of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Let us give our whole lives to our high priest and receive his perfect blessing today.
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Pray with me:
Father, thank you for your perfect provision for us in your Son. Forgive us for losing sight of him. Remind us again that we must all stand before him someday. So let us live our lives before you today. We do not ask you to be with us today, because we know you already are. Instead, we ask you to help us to live this day and all of our days with you, until we see Jesus, our King of righteousness and peace. In his name we pray, Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 6:16-18
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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