Monday, April 30, 2007

hiatus and Melchizedek

 
I didn't record a blog Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.  Here is a summary of what went on during the hiatus: 
- God really helped me out on an exam on Friday.  There was no way I would have studied for the types of questions that were on the exam.  
- Saturday morning we went on a mini-vacation with some friends from church and ended up seeing several other people from school.  Saturday evening we had dinner with some other friends from church and had a great conversation about Biblical parenting. 
- Sunday morning we had a guest evangelist at our church, and the Lord moved powerfully during the service.  I want to be used by God like that - to help bring many into the Kingdom. 
- Sunday afternoon I helped a friend of a friend move into a second-floor apartment.  He is a minister in the Unity fellowship, and we had quite a discussion.  I am amazed at how similar many of his "emerging paradigm" statements/concepts are to "traditional paradigm," but fundamentally they do not hold Jesus Christ to be "uniquely divine" and the one and only way to "heaven."
 
Hebrews 5-8 is interesting stuff.  The Melchizedek type of Christ is rich with meaning. 
 
4 And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. 5 That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father."   6 And in another passage God said to him, "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."  7 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. 8 Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 9 In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. 10 And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:4-10)
 
2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means "king of justice," and king of Salem means "king of peace." 3 There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God. (Hebrews 7:2-3)
 
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise you for your infinite knowledge and power.  Thank you for reaching down to pull me out of sin and death through your Son, Jesus Christ.  Thank you that Jesus is my High Priest, the King of Justice, and the King of Peace.  Jesus, I pray that you will reign peace in my heart and that I will obey you.  Amen.

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