July 3 MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD!
A Verse to Remember: My Kingdom is not of this world. John 18:36
Todays Scripture: Hebrews 7
This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. 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.
Gospel Story: John 18:33-38 “Are you the king of the Jews?” …..
Reflection:
Remember we asked the question “Who the heck is Melchizedek?” The author of Hebrews said, “There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain….”. Well, here we go in Hebrews Chapter 7!
So who was he? We are told he is the King of Salem. And a priest of God Most High. He serves the same God that called Abraham. Salem we are told means “peace”. This makes Melchizedek the “King of Peace”. Melchizedek means “Righteousness”. Which makes him the King of Righteousness and Peace! In the Valley of Kings, (Genesis 14:17-24) Melchizedek, the King of Peace and Righteousness refreshes Abraham with bread and wine after a huge rescue mission. He also pronounces a blessing over Abraham on behalf of God Most High! Then receives a tithe from Abraham in response to God’s blessing. But wait there’s more. The author of Hebrews reveals that this King-Priest is really quite a mystery man!
In verse 3 he states, “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.” WOW! Hebrews wants to use this King-Priest from Genesis to help us understand who Jesus is!!! Melchizedek is a man “Resembling the Son of God”!!!
God wants to give you a Kingdom, King and a Priest who is out of this world! In fact God wants to give us all A King, a Priest and a Kingdom that remains unchanging …. FOREVER!
Handed over to the Romans and confronted by Pilot with the question, “Are you the King of the Jews?”, Jesus ends the conversation with this amazing statement, “My kingdom is not of this world!” Pilot isn’t really sure what to do with this. The question i’m asking today is, “Are we?”
If what the writer of Hebrews says is true, Melchizedek resembles Jesus. Knowing what we know about Jesus and Melchizedek I’d invite you to ponder this question: How does it affect your life If you belong to the Kingdom of Peace and Righteousness, have a King who is Peace and Righteous, who reigns forever and who serves God’s chosen ones interceding on their behalf as THE MOST HIGH PRIEST of God Most High….FOREVER?
Who knew that something so out of this world could be so valuable to us who live in the world? God did!