Your Identity in Christ
• In Christ, I am blessed by the ministry of Jesus the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, through whom I am always welcome in God’s presence.
One of the major oaths taken by God is found in Psalm 110:4 where King David writes, “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” This oath is sworn from (A) “The Lord” God to (B) King David’s “Lord,” known commonly as the Messiah – which means “Anointed One.” In other words, this is a promise from God to the Messiah who would rule on the throne of David forever (see 2 Samuel 7).
Two unique things stand out here:
- Priests in Israel came from the line or “order” of Levi, not David’s line of Judah (nor this line of Melchizedek). Yet this Melchizedek character precedes Levi himself, making the priestly line of Melchizedek pre-existent to Levi’s line by at least two generations (see Genesis 14).
- Second, this promised oath speaks about this priest serving forever as opposed to the Levitical priests who were limited to serving their generation.
The writer of Hebrews wanted his readers to know that Jesus had High Priestly credentials that preceded and superseded those of the Levite priesthood. And those credentials came from God the Father Himself.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, my High Priest, thank you for always being in prayer and intercession over me and this world. Thank you for opening the door to God’s presence for me also. Continue to train me as a priestly apprentice as part of my life of discipleship under you. Amen.
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 84:1-8
- How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!
- My soul yearns,
even faints for the courts of the LORD
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. - Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young
— a place near your altar,
LORD Almighty, my King and my God. - Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you. - Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. - As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools. - They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion. - Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Revelations 21:22
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
Psalm 84:3-4 from the Lord’s perspective:
God: How I long to bless you – bless you deeply,
as with all those who dwell in My house;
I will stir your heart to great praise – You watch.