Read Hebrews 7:1-10
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
PONDER
- Consider Jesus, our better high priest, who continues as a high priest forever. He is better than every priest that Israel knew, and he is better than every way that we would try to make atonement for our own sins. Let this reality lead you to worship.
- Remember Hebrews 5:6 and 6:20 which tell us that Christ is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Read what Hebrews 7 tells us about Melchizedek, and meditate on Jesus who is greater.
PRAY
- Father, thank you for Jesus who intercedes for us as a high priest.
- Father, give us eyes to see our sin and our need for a Savior.
- Father, help us to trust in Jesus as the one who pays the sin debt that we owe and who brings us into right relationship with you.
- Father, you have given us Jesus as our great high priest! Help us to draw near in confidence.
- Father, prepare me to gather with my church and worship you. You are worthy! To you be the glory!
Sing: Listen to this week’s songs on Spotify
PRactice
Gather! Sunday at 9:30am or 11:00am.
5 Practices to Gathering Well:
- Be Present – The first step to gathering well: Gather!
- Be Early – Prioritize the gathering with your time. Don’t be late. The practical discipleship of this priority can be profound for you and your family.
- Be Prepared – Ponder, pray, sing, fast, and praise are all good ways to prepare.
- Be Uncomfortable – Sit with different people. Sing loud. Challenge routines. Gather on mission.
- Be Responsive – Don’t just be hearers of the word, be doers. Pray. Ponder. Repent. Change. Practice. Respond in action. Too often we gather to affirm what we already hold, rather than be taught, rebuked, corrected, or trained in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Gather to be transformed.