2023/08/24 - Hebrews 7: Melchizedek and One Like Him
Jerry Starling
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Reading: Hebrews 7 - Melchizedek and One Like Him
Verse for Today:
Now if perfection had been attained through the Levitical priesthood, what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek? (Hebrews 7:11)
Daily Devo
Who Is Melchizedek?
Melchizedek is a mysterious figure who met Abraham after he rescued Lot and the rest of the Sodomites who were captured with all their goods. Melchizedek was King of Jerusalem (Salem). He blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave him a tithe. His name means King of Righteousness; he was also called King of Peace, which is the meaning of King of Salem.
He was without a genealogy, no mother or father, no beginning of days or ending of life. Like the Son of God, he remains high priest forever. See how great he is! Even Abraham gave him a tithe of the spoils of war. The descendants of Levi are commanded to collect tithes from the people. But this man collected a tithe from Abraham. You could even say that Levi paid a tithe to him for he was still in the loins of Abraham when Melchizedek met him.
If Perfection Was Found Through the Levitical Priesthood, What Need Was There for Another Priest to Arise?
When the priesthood changes, there is also a need to change the law. “Now the One of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe from which no one served at the altar.” It is known that the Lord descended from Judah. Moses said nothing about that tribe as priests.
When another priest arises who resembles Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement of physical descent, but through an indestructible life, it is said of Him, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
In fact, many believe that Melchizedek was a theophany, the Son of God in the flesh.
The Better Hope
On one hand, there is the change of an early commandment because it was weak, for the Law made nothing perfect. “On the other hand, there is a better hope, through which we approach God.”
This was confirmed with an oath. Other priests did not give or receive an oath. But this one became a priest with an oath, “Because the one who said to Him, ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, You are a priest forever.”’ Hence, Jesus has also become the guarantor of a better covenant.
There were many of the former high priests because death prevented them from continuing in office. But Jesus holds His priesthood permanently, “because He continues forever.” Hence, He can save those approaching God through Him since He lives to make intercession for them.
“It is right that we have such a high priest: holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” He has no need to offer sacrifices day after day for his own sins (He had none) and for the sins of others. He did this, finally, when He offered Himself and arose.
“The Law appoints High Priests subject to weakness, but the oath appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.”
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
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Pray for Your Self:
Father, even I can rejoice in the saving power of Jesus, and so I pray, in His precious name, AMEN! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
My Prayer for You (and for me)
Father, I offer this prayer for all who read these words. I pray that each of us will fall before Your Son in gratitude for His giving Himself to save us from our sins. This is my prayer, in His name, AMEN! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Updates for Central
Our Next Potluck Fellowship will be this Sunday. Bring a dish to share, invite your family, friends, and neighbors, and come find good fellowship, food, and love.
Son Quest is September 1-3. If you are going, get ready for three days of fun mixed with some great Bible teaching. Come back fired up for Jesus!
The Wednesday morning Ladies’ Class will resume at 10:00 am on September 6. All ladies are invited to participate.
Our Eastern European Mission “Million Dollar Sunday” contribution will be on September 24. Our entire contribution that day will go to EEM to provide Bibles for the former Soviet bloc nations. Last year, EEM distributed almost two million Bibles, up 24% from 2021. They expect to have more this year.
PRAYER NEEDS
Joan Berry, Joanna Turner’s Mother, needs our prayers.
Belinda Pate is at home and doing much better.
Carol Grandey, Brenda Schmidt’s sister, is home following surgery. Now, we need to pray for her pneumonia.
Jesse Matthews, Sr. Ruth said on Saturday that he is in rehab. Their daughter is also still recuperating from a broken ankle. She needs prayers as much as Jesse does.
Holder was well enough to be at mid-week study on the 16th. Jerry said she improves daily – bit by bit.
Joy Bland found she has a broken bone in her foot that requires a boot to help it heal. She will have it for about six weeks, with an MRI (hopefully) coming soon. She recently told me she really needs our prayers to help her through.
Gale Harnish is home, but not well. Keep her in your prayers.
Susan Allen’s sister Debi is not well at all. Please remember her in your prayers.
Please let us know when you have events to publicize, are in the hospital, or are sick and need prayers. If you request prayer for someone, let us know when to take them off the prayer list. You can contact me by text or phone at 407-453-5392.