New Covenant priesthood

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might read 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, in the archives

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Devotions: Ps 101, 109, 119:121-44; Ezek 11:14-25; Heb 7:1-17; Lk 10:17-24

I will sing of loyalty and justice; I will walk with integrity; I will not set anything base before my eyes; and I will cling to what is righteous. I will turn from wickedness and seek the holy Lord. God, please interpose Your holy love to protect me from the slander and malice of the wicked. David was eloquent in cursing such people—let his curses fall on my enemies, too! But let God arise and scatter our enemies. I am wasting away, but I will be strong in God’s mighty love. Save me, YHWH, according to Your steadfast love, and wrap my accusers in their own shame as a mantle. I strive after Your word, my God; teach me Your statutes, and direct me in Your holy paths. Unfolding Your word brings enlightenment and imparts understanding; let no iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from human oppression, and let Your face shine upon me, righteous Lord! I will not forget Your precepts, holy Father; Your commands are my delight; give me understanding that I may truly live.

God had Ezekiel proclaim, ‘Though I have exiled sinful Israel, yet I Am a Sanctuary for them among the nations in their Diaspora. I will gather you from the countries where you are scattered and give you the land of Israel. I will give them a new heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove their stony hearts and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may walk in My ways, obeying My statutes; they will be My people, and I will be their God!’ God lifted Ezekiel up and put him amid the exiles in Chaldea, where he proclaimed God’s message.

The Hebrew writer expounds Melchizedek: king of Salem and priest of God Most High, honored by the patriarch Abraham, whom Melchizedek blessed, king of peace and righteousness, without genealogy, like the Son of God, a priest for ever. Abraham, and Levi in his loins, tithed to Melchizedek. So the priesthood of Jesus, descendant of Judah, in the order of Melchizedek, is different and better than the Aaronic priesthood held by Levi’s offspring—and Jesus’ priesthood is perpetual!

The seventy missioners Jesus sent forth returned to Him in joy, reporting that even demons submitted to them because of the authority of Jesus’ name. Jesus responded: ‘I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning; you have My authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and to exert authority over all the adversary’s power. But don’t exult in this; rather, rejoice that your names are written in heaven!’ Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, saying ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the worldly wise, and revealed them to babes. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father; no one recognizes the Son or the Father, except those whom God has chosen to receive this revelation.’ To His disciples, Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! Many prophets and kings longed to see and hear what you have witnessed—but they were not favored as you have been.’