MELCHIZEDEK BLESSINGS
Hebrews 5:8-10: “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from when 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.”
Mel-KIZ-i-dek is a curious being. He appeared to Abraham thousands of years before Jesus was born. Apparently Melchizedek was the first high priest serving God Almighty on people’s behalf.
Why did the Father designate Jesus to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek?
Before God changed Abram’s name to Abraham in Genesis 17:5, Melchizedek, king of Salem, sought out Abram to bless him. Abram had just finished defeating kings and rescuing his nephew Lot-along with his wives and property. Melchizedek brought Abram bread and wine to refresh him, but what he said must also have lifted Abram’s spirit: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed by God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” (Genesis 14:17-20).
After Abraham ate and drank, he gave Melchizedek ten percent of all he had.
This was the first time someone tithed 10% of his wealth back to God.
Like Melchizedek’s blessing Abraham, Jesus also serves up blessings as Believer’s high priest. The “once made perfect” phrase in the opening Scripture means Jesus died as payment for our sins and rose to life again. He is the “source of eternal salvation to all who obey him”.
That sounds like blessings to me!
The difference between both these blessing priests and the hundreds of Aaronic priests was that Aaronic priests took away from people. After God gave Moses His ten commandments, people were judged under the law. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 says, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God,” … and “the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God,” … “and by following other gods which you have not known.”
Many disobeyed, earning God’s curse.
Believers today are under God’s covenant of grace that Jesus ushered in. He never curses—like how Aaronic high priests served God during people’s disobedience.
Believers have the privilege of entering God’s throne room every time we pray to Him (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus is there interceding for us!
Take Home Nugget
Are you aware of Jesus’ daily blessings? We smile when the sun rises each day. But we can’t trust creation; somedays it storms. Do we thank Jesus each day He cares for us, keeping our bodies healthy and providing everything we need? Jesus’ blessings never depend on the weather.
Jesus’ redemptive blessings are all good and are as sure as Jesus, Himself!
Adapted from “Jesus’ Priesthood Never Curses” by Joseph Prince. August 28, 2016. www.JosephPrince.org
J.D. Griffith
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