.
● Ps 110:4 . .The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: "You are a
priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
Now the interesting thing is: Mel's isn't a succession kind of priesthood like
Aaron's. Nor is it restricted to a particular tribe, viz: Aaron was of the Israeli
tribe of Levi, whereas Mel was neither an Israeli nor affiliated with one of
Jacob's boys.
Anyway; Mel was a high priest (Heb 5:10) which is a sacred trust exercised
by one man alone rather than a responsibility shared among a guild of
priests. And the position isn't something men win, viz; the high priesthood
isn't an achievement, rather, it's an appointment (Heb 5:4-6) In point of
fact, it is a lifetime appointment, i.e. the high priesthood is a position that
the man occupies till he's deceased.
Well; Jesus came back from death with immortality (Rom 6:9) so we need
not be concerned that he might some day be replaced. (Heb 7:23-25) In
other words: Jesus is the last of his kind; hence there won't be any more
after him.
Now, Mel was a high priest on Earth, whereas Jesus is a high priest in
Heaven (Col 3:1) which implies Jesus has direct access to God's ear-- a
tremendous advantage for folks for whom Jesus is their mediator between
God and Man.
● Heb 4:14-16 . .Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we
profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with
our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just
as we are-- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in
our time of need.
The Greek word translated "confidence" basically pertains to all out
spokenness, i.e. candid, man to man, heart to heart, and straight from the
shoulder, so to speak. So let's not be trying God's patience with rote prayers
when we are so strongly encouraged to just be ourselves.
● Phil 4:6-7 . .Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
_
● Ps 110:4 . .The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: "You are a
priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
Now the interesting thing is: Mel's isn't a succession kind of priesthood like
Aaron's. Nor is it restricted to a particular tribe, viz: Aaron was of the Israeli
tribe of Levi, whereas Mel was neither an Israeli nor affiliated with one of
Jacob's boys.
Anyway; Mel was a high priest (Heb 5:10) which is a sacred trust exercised
by one man alone rather than a responsibility shared among a guild of
priests. And the position isn't something men win, viz; the high priesthood
isn't an achievement, rather, it's an appointment (Heb 5:4-6) In point of
fact, it is a lifetime appointment, i.e. the high priesthood is a position that
the man occupies till he's deceased.
Well; Jesus came back from death with immortality (Rom 6:9) so we need
not be concerned that he might some day be replaced. (Heb 7:23-25) In
other words: Jesus is the last of his kind; hence there won't be any more
after him.
Now, Mel was a high priest on Earth, whereas Jesus is a high priest in
Heaven (Col 3:1) which implies Jesus has direct access to God's ear-- a
tremendous advantage for folks for whom Jesus is their mediator between
God and Man.
● Heb 4:14-16 . .Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we
profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with
our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just
as we are-- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in
our time of need.
The Greek word translated "confidence" basically pertains to all out
spokenness, i.e. candid, man to man, heart to heart, and straight from the
shoulder, so to speak. So let's not be trying God's patience with rote prayers
when we are so strongly encouraged to just be ourselves.
● Phil 4:6-7 . .Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
_