Sunday, August 16, 2009
Busy Summer/Daughter to College/Vacation Time
I apologize for not posting more regularly these past two weeks. I have been busy being busy and also doing some fishing. Getting ready to take my daughter a few hundred miles away to college and will be gone for a couple of days and then back to take some vacation time and get some chores done around the house while summer lasts. Pray for my daughter and pray for my wife and I. I hope to "pause and ponder" the wonders of our Lord and His word and get back to writing soon. God bless!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Short Thoughts for Today
Hebrews 7:12-16 will be the passage of scripture for today's short thoughts. As the author continues to describe the uniqueness of Christ's priesthood, he is inspired to write, "For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life."
Yes, the priesthood changed and there was a change of law also. No one from the tribe of Judah had ever held the position of priest and yet this was the tribe from which our High Priest would come from. Although it is clearly noteworthy that Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, it is not His tribal lineage that makes Him a "high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek".
It was not on the basis of any physical requirements that He could be our Priest forever, but because He possesses a "power of an indestructible life". Indestructible is our Lord Jesus!
Yes, the priesthood changed and there was a change of law also. No one from the tribe of Judah had ever held the position of priest and yet this was the tribe from which our High Priest would come from. Although it is clearly noteworthy that Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, it is not His tribal lineage that makes Him a "high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek".
It was not on the basis of any physical requirements that He could be our Priest forever, but because He possesses a "power of an indestructible life". Indestructible is our Lord Jesus!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Short Thoughts for Today
Today I begin the 7th chapter of the Book of Hebrews as I continue to "blog" my way through this portion of God's precious word. Back in chapters five and six we saw the author make mention that the Son of God was a high priest "according to the order of Melchizedek". The first ten verses of this chapter are used to go into more detail regarding "this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God". I will not take the time to comment on these first ten verses but look to the question posed in verse eleven and the answer that follows.
In Hebrews 7:11 the author is inspired to write, "Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?"
As we prepare to look at the remainder of this chapter and the chapters to follow, I would like to consider three matters from this verse. First of all, that a way of "perfection" was necessary. Secondly, that "perfection" had not been and could not be found through the Levitical priesthood. Thirdly, that the need for another priest to "arise according to the order of Melchizedek" was of the utmost importance. And lastly, that this other priest through whom would come perfection was Jesus.
In Hebrews 7:11 the author is inspired to write, "Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?"
As we prepare to look at the remainder of this chapter and the chapters to follow, I would like to consider three matters from this verse. First of all, that a way of "perfection" was necessary. Secondly, that "perfection" had not been and could not be found through the Levitical priesthood. Thirdly, that the need for another priest to "arise according to the order of Melchizedek" was of the utmost importance. And lastly, that this other priest through whom would come perfection was Jesus.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Short Thoughts for Today
Yesterday I began to look at the last two verses of Hebrews chapter six. In verses 19-20 we saw the author's words, "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."
Is it not Christ Himself who is our hope? Our Hope has entered within the veil as a forerunner for us. Webster's defines "forerunner" as "one that precedes and indicates the approach of another". Yes, Jesus has preceded us to the holy place but has also prepared our way and indicated our approach. I so much appreciate that thought. We are welcome at the throne of grace and He bids us come. The Father expects us there. Lord willing, in the days ahead we will look more at the high priesthood of our Lord Jesus and this Melchizedek order spoken of.
Is it not Christ Himself who is our hope? Our Hope has entered within the veil as a forerunner for us. Webster's defines "forerunner" as "one that precedes and indicates the approach of another". Yes, Jesus has preceded us to the holy place but has also prepared our way and indicated our approach. I so much appreciate that thought. We are welcome at the throne of grace and He bids us come. The Father expects us there. Lord willing, in the days ahead we will look more at the high priesthood of our Lord Jesus and this Melchizedek order spoken of.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Short Thoughts for Today
Today and tomorrow I will conclude the sixth chapter of Hebrews as we look to the final two verses for the days short thoughts. In these last two verses we read,"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."
I do a lot of fishing/boating in the lower Columbia river in Oregon and appreciate the importance of a quality anchor. On more than one occasion I have witnessed fisherman lower their anchor to the river bottom only to find out that it would not hold them in the powerful current. On the home page of my blog, "Pause and Ponder", I have a picture of the huge ship anchor that is on display at the Maritime Museum in Astoria. For me it is a visual reminder of the great truth found in today's verse of scripture.
The hope previously spoken of by the Hebrew author was based on God's faithfulness, His unchangeableness and the oath of His word. The writer now states that this hope is the "anchor of the soul" for all who possess it. And unlike an anchor that may not be able to hold in a strong current or violent storm, ours is both "sure and steadfast". No matter how strong the currents of life run against you and the storms of this world assail you, your soul is well anchored in Christ!
I do a lot of fishing/boating in the lower Columbia river in Oregon and appreciate the importance of a quality anchor. On more than one occasion I have witnessed fisherman lower their anchor to the river bottom only to find out that it would not hold them in the powerful current. On the home page of my blog, "Pause and Ponder", I have a picture of the huge ship anchor that is on display at the Maritime Museum in Astoria. For me it is a visual reminder of the great truth found in today's verse of scripture.
The hope previously spoken of by the Hebrew author was based on God's faithfulness, His unchangeableness and the oath of His word. The writer now states that this hope is the "anchor of the soul" for all who possess it. And unlike an anchor that may not be able to hold in a strong current or violent storm, ours is both "sure and steadfast". No matter how strong the currents of life run against you and the storms of this world assail you, your soul is well anchored in Christ!
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