FOREVER
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 7-8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Just outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls is the Garden Tomb area. It is thought that this could be where Jesus was laid after His death. The hymn comes to mind, “Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o’er His foes.” Another line says, “Death could not hold its prey, He tore the bars away.” YES!!!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Hebrews 7:24-25
But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.
The words, “EVER LIVES” in our reading stand out as does “FOREVER,” and “ENDLESS LIFE!” Rev. Jim Cantelon writes in Day Unto Day, published by Crossroads in the 1990s, these words about Hebrews 7: “The writer speaks of Melchizedek as ‘without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life…’ (7:3a). What is he telling us here? If he intends us to take it at face value, he’s telling us that Melchizedek is God (for only God has no parents, no genealogy, no beginning or ending).” Jim is founder of the great “King of Kings” congregation in Jerusalem. Many scholars believe that Melchizedek was Jesus trying on the garments of humanity in a relationship with “The Friend of God,” Abraham. There are eight volumes in the Day Unto Day series. They are out of print but some used copies can be found on Amazon.ca here. These books and others published by Crossroads over the years have served a high purpose for God and His people, but they do not claim to be exhaustive commentaries on Scripture. Such works as those of Matthew Henry, 1662-1714, are exhaustive, having many 3-inch thick volumes with tens of thousands of pages of detailed teachings on every verse of Scripture. Check Matthew Henry’s commentary on Hebrews 7 online here. The publishing efforts of Crossroads, including this blog, are for 99.9% of people who are not full-time seminarians or Bible teachers.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I do want to study Your Word faithfully. Help me in my commitment to read Your Word every day without fail. I may not be able to read exhaustive commentaries, such as that penned by Your servant, the ordained Presbyterian Minister Matthew Henry, but I intend to, at the very least, take some time daily to spend with You in prayer and in study. I ask You for grace to be consistent! In the Name of the totally consistent One, Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
About 57 years ago my Dad gave me a set of Matthew Henry’s commentaries, and I used them for years in my sermon preparation, but not for my daily devotions. I came to the conclusion that preachers and Bible teachers who stand before congregations need both a rich devotional life and an in-depth study of God’s Word. These are not the same. One is for personal daily spiritual strength and the other is for the accurate impartation of Truth to others. Back In 2005, when we sold the farm, the home in which Norma-Jean was born, I invited our children to raid my library first. They probably helped themselves to about 100 books each. Then I contacted the Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, Ontario, and invited the students to do the same. Books are still a priority in our family budget, but I tend to give them away after I’ve read them. I thank all for taking the time to join me each day with this blog. You are very special to me!
Yours for the glory of the One Who is Forever, and ever, and ever. The indestructible One!!!,
David
P.S. For an advance peek at the Christmas Eve show I hosted from Bethlehem, click here. Be sure to watch. Help me share the Good News with others. Thanks!!!
I enjoyed the video from Israel and the singing of your grandchildren from years ago. What a lovely family. I have followed the blog from the beginning and would not miss a day of it. I have hung on to the Lord throughout this year and have found great solace in doing so. My husband died 2 days after Christmas last year. I really miss him. I met him when I was 8 yrs old (he was 14 – so we didn’t really hit it off right away)! My Sunday school teacher at the Baptist church told our girls’ class of 12 yr olds to pray for a good husband (and I did). I saw her many years later and thanked her for that direction.
Holding you close in prayer, this morning, Doreen, as you miss your husband. May you feel strengthened from God’s loving arms around you.
It is my belief that Christ did,and would,want to reach the common people who may not be well educated,thus He would use language they (the unchurched) could readily understand,not a language centuries old.That is why I now use the ERV when I share scripture and quote you on FB.(Martin Luther wanted the common people to ‘understand’ the bible too.)When we speak in ‘Christianese’,only those who already are familiar with the bible can understand and anyone new has a problem understanding the termonology.(Pilots don’t start their training when the course is half finished.)As it stands today,we only reach other Christians from other congregations/denominations.We must be Christians first and realize denominations are earthly creations.
I say this from the years of not understanding Christianese.For example,the word “saved’ was always used and for decades,finding myself very infrequently in church,I did not understand it’s meaning.Please do not be insulted,that is definitely not my intent.I have great gratitude and admiration for you and affinity.Yours,hoping this makes sense. God bless
Bill
Once again, Pastor David for this morning spiritual food and your faithfulness in bringing to us!!!
I plan to come back later in the day to view the link on your Christmas Eve presentation. Look forward to it!
Enjoyed the blog today, David and the discourse about the priesthood which is part of the New Covenant, Melchizedek which is better than the Levi Priesthood since it is eternal, hence Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us. It is a privilege to read every day and try not to miss. Also enjoyed the video of all your family a few years ago. God bless.
Good morning David M. 🙂 I use and enjoy Henry Matthews Concise Commentary on the whole Bible…it is one BIG book, not individuals like it sounds that you have, but I find it an excellent ‘place’ to go to when wanting to dig deeper into some passages.
I too, as Doreen said above, have been with you since onset of this blog. Thank you for your faithfulness in bringing us daily manna.
Blessings on you and yours…
Wanita
Yes, David, I have been with you from the beginning of the blog and I thank you for such great teaching, sharing, and prospering of understanding of God’s Holy Word. I also appreciate the further explanation about Melchizedek in today’s readings and links you provided. I, too, will enjoy the Christmas Eve link, later. Always sharing God’s Word with others, to bring glory to His precious Name. Wishing all saints a blessed day in our Lord and Savour, Jesus Christ!
Here is a song pertaining to the photo of Jesus’ possible tomb site, above:
Up From The Grave He Arose, Daniel Thornton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN77HjfAc8k
Christmas music, with lyrics, for the saints:
O Come All Ye Faithful, Phil Wickham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTe28e4Rk-Y
Enjoy your music link Beverlee…thank you!!
Here I am again…enjoyed the link of Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, especially you and Norma-Jean with your young family at that time!
Always appreciate your comments and explanations regarding the morning’s scripture enjoying “Hebrews” in particular…thank you!!!
I did see the Christmas Special with the five actors the year it was first presented, and it is still a great presentation.
I will be away over the holiday as of the 23rd of Dec. to the 3rd of January, so will miss the TV programs, but my son will probably set my e-mail programs up for me, so “the morning blog” will be available to me…Praise God, and thank you, that will be special!!!
I would hate to miss the “Hebrew” scriptures…
Thank you and God bless David and your family
thank you Bill Marshall! I understand exactly what you are saying! I so enjoy Bible studies because it gives me an opportunity to ask the question “can you talk to me in a way that I can understand please?” And you are right Bill Marshall, we only reach those who already have congregations or have had some early experience perhaps in Confirmation classes or other perhaps Youth groups, that is why I so believe in street ministry: just be out among the people, feeding them, clothing them, talking to them, LISTENING to them, help them get medical treatment, help them to find a lost family member, or find a place to live, having Gospel concerts downtown in the park, I find all these avenues are very helpful to reach out to the people.
my church held the community carol festival at 4 p.m. and only church people attended; HOWEVER at 6 p.m. we had fires going, hot chocolate, some hay bales for people to sit on, guitars players and lots of carol singing and there were many people from the community and area who were not at the first service inside! This service attracted younger families, and some of the peole who just hang around town All in all it was very good! MERRY CHRISTMAS!