From: November 5, 2023
‘Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”’ (Hebrews 7:16-17 NLT).
Quoting Psalm 110:4, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek”, the book of Hebrews declares Jesus to be the fulfillment of this messianic prophecy. Jesus is our eternal high priest. Melchizedek is a Christological type, foreshadowing Jesus the Messiah.
Melchizedek, whose name means “King of Righteousness,” was both the king of Salem and priest of God Most High (Gen. 14:18). It was he whom Abraham paid a tithe after he had blessed him after his victory over his enemies.
Though Jesus was born into the royal line of Judah and not the priestly line of Levi, His priesthood is superior because His priestly claim preceded Levi’s and is in every way superior to his. This is why the book of Hebrews spoke of the perpetuity of Melchizedek’s priesthood, showing that it predated the Levitical priesthood, and continues on after it for eternity. For Christ’s priesthood is based on an indestructible life. For He was raised from the dead, defeating sin, death, and the grave and He “always lives to make intercession” (Heb. 7:25) for us.
So then, what was the purpose of the Law and the Levitical priesthood? It was a foreshadowing and a tutor (Gal. 3:24) preparing the people of God for its fulfillment in Christ Jesus. In Him, the threefold office of Prophet, Priest and King are united. Christ is our Great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, forever standing before the Father making intercession for us.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word. For we catch glimpses of Christ Jesus on every page. We are thankful that we can offer our prayers to You always in His name. For Jesus is our eternal high priest. Strengthen us and lead us this day to do Your will according to Your mighty power. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: November 5, 2022
GOD’S MORNING MESSAGE
Rising up early in the morning, Ezekiel received a message from the Lord. No internet, no morning news, no ESPN updates, no emails, no personal plans, just the Word. God’s Word came to him and there was no room for anything else. His day was decided because he heard a message from the Lord.
Men and women of God throughout the centuries have had this same morning habit of seeking a word from the Lord to begin their day. Even the Son of God, the Lord Jesus, sought time with His Father to begin His day. The gospel of Mark described how Jesus spent His mornings, saying, “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray” (Mark 1:35).
How do you begin your day? Do you check the inbox from heaven to read God’s morning message? Do you get alone with God to pray?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we come before You today listening to hear a word from You. We pray that Your Word would come to us afresh. Abide in us today by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: November 5, 2016
Melchizedek, whose name means “King of Righteousness,” was the king of Salem (or “Shalom – Peace”), whom Abraham paid a tithe (Gen. 14). Quoting Psalm 110:4, the author of Hebrews spoke of the perpetuity of Melchizedek’s priesthood, showing that it predated the Levitical priesthood, and continues on after it to eternity. Though Jesus was born into the royal line of Judah and not the priestly line of Levi, His priesthood is superior because His priestly claim preceded Levi’s and is in every way superior to his. So then, what was the purpose of the Law and the Levitical priesthood? It was a foreshadowing and a tutor (Gal. 3:24) preparing the people of God for its fulfillment in Christ Jesus. In Him, the threefold office of Prophet, Priest and King are united. Christ is our Great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, forever standing before the Father making intercession for us.
From: November 5, 2015
Rising up in the morning, Ezekiel is filled with the Word. No internet, no morning news, no ESPN updates, or emails, no personal plans… the Word. The Word came to him and there was no room for anything else. His day was decided because the Word had come to him. How’s your morning so far?
From: November 5, 2014
There is a type of idol that is unseen, but is just as surely built and worshiped in the human heart. This idol of the heart comes between us and God. Those elevated to leadership must recognize their particular vulnerability to this type of idolatry. These idols are not made with wood nor stone, but with a prideful lust for power and position. It causes a kind of religious self-delusion and makes us susceptible to sin. It makes our prayer life ineffective. Remove the thing that has stolen your heart and taken first place ahead of loving God. Repent and make the Lord your first love, so that you might know God’s forgiveness and experience fellowship with Him in prayer!