“For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah—of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident—for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there arises another Person, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless Life.”
Hebrews 7:14-16
When certain things in the Bible seem confusing or perplexing, run to the feet of Jesus and stay there.
Expectations.
Oh how these “boxes” restrict us in our walk of faith—particularly as they relate to the Lord God and our walk of faith. While it’s important for us to be grounded in the Word, we must always be careful lest our study of the Word become a worship of the Word or Bibliolatry—i.e., Bible idolatry.
The Pharisees were guilty of that.
That’s why Jesus said “Search the Scriptures—for in them you think you have eternal life” (Jn. 5:39a). And, no doubt His key emphasis in this was on “in them,” i.e., the Old Testament Scriptures.
That’s also why He continued by saying “And they are they which testify of Me. And, you will not come to Me that you might have Life” (vv.39b-40).
While it’s good for us to “study to show ourselves approved unto God as a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth” (II Tim. 2:15). . .and while it’s good for us to “hide God’s Word in our heart so we’ll not sin against Him” (Ps. 119:11). . .we must always guard against substituting the printed Word for Christ, the Living Word.
How much damage has been done in God’s Kingdom who unlovingly used God’s Word as a club to beat others over the head or as some type of slicing-and-dicing machete instead of the simple, straightforward “Scalpel of the Soul” (Heb. 4:12)! God help us!
That’s why we must always handle God’s Word with care and use it to point others to Christ. Otherwise, we’ll end up just like those who nailed Jesus to the Cross, thinking that they were doing God a service—but not realizing they were crucifying the very One they’d been looking for all their lives.
For sure, Jesus didn’t meet the Jews’ expectations for the coming Messiah; neither did He have the earthly qualifications to serve as a priest or High Priest.
But, that’s okay. He met God’s qualifications and that’s all that matters. Hallelujah!!
The writer of today’s Manna is quite clear in his comparison of Jesus’ Priesthood to the Levitical priesthood (vv.11-28). No earthly priest or religious practice can ever grant us forgiveness or cleanse us from our sins; only Jesus can do that (Rom. 5:6-11; Heb. 9:14). And, He does it by “the power of His endless Life.” Glory!! Therefore, “look to Jesus and keep on looking” (Heb. 12:2a). He’s the only Priest you need because His is the only Sacrifice that matters to God. Thank You, Lord.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated February 13, 2011
