Headlines   News       Link to Home Page

-Small Groups -  Click here for information or to sign up for a Small Group

-The Music Man will be presented as our fall theatrical event...click here (www.ChristMemorialProductions.org) for full details and audition information. 

      Performances: November 13, 14,15 at 7:30 pm and November 16 at 2:00.

      Auditions: August 16 and 17 from 1- 5 PM..

Devotions

Melchizedek

A Different Priest

Readings: Genesis 14: 17-20 and Hebrews 7: 11-25

Of all the people in the Bible, Melchizedek is one of the most mysterious. We know nothing about his family, his birth, his death, or how he became a priest. As Heb. 7:3 says, Melchizedek is “without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days, or end of life, like the Son of God.” Like the Son of God indeed.

Jesus too was mysterious. Many people thought they knew Jesus, but they didn’t. Some thought He was the son of Joseph (Luke 3:23; 4:22). But He was not (Matt. 1:18-21). Some thought they knew His family. But they did not know His true brothers and sisters (Matt. 12:46-50). Some thought they knew where He came from (Luke 23:6-7), but they did not know His true origins (John 3:13; 8:56-58). Like Melchizedek, for many people, Jesus was shrouded in mystery. But there is even a greater similarity.

Referring to the coming Messiah, King David wrote, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (Ps. 110:4). Melchizedek and Jesus were priests, but they were not like all the others. All other priests were members of the tribe of Levi and descendents of Aaron (Num. 3:10).

Whereas, Melchizedek lived long before Aaron, and Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. Neither one were Levitical priests. They were definitely of a different order.

The Levitical priests offered sacrifices on behalf of themselves, as well as the other people (Lev. 9:7). It was also necessary for them to repeat their sacrifice for the sins of the people every day (Ex. 29:36-37). When Jesus offered up His body as the sacrifice for our sins on the altar of the cross, He did not have to suffer for His own sins, nor did He ever have to repeat it. His sacrifice was once and for all (Heb. 7:26-27).

The Levitical priests could only serve temporarily. They all eventually died. However, the priesthood of Jesus lasts forever. He is always there to intercede for you before the throne of His heavenly Father (Heb. 7:23-25). Jesus was certainly a different priest, as was Melchizedek.

The name Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness” or “King of Peace” (Heb. 7:2). This name also describes Jesus. He is the “Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6). He is “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jer. 23:5-6). In Jesus, we are given true peace and righteousness.

His priesthood guarantees that forever.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You that Jesus is a different kind of priest. Rather than sacrificing bulls or lambs, He gave up Himself on the altar of the cross. I thank You that His priesthood will last forever, and He will always intercede on my behalf. Help me to trust in Him always. Amen.