IMMUTABLE
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 5-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This manger scene is not much different today than it was 2,000 years ago at the birth of Jesus. Bethlehem shepherds had the contract to provide lambs for sacrifice, which the priests in the Temple at Jerusalem (5 miles north of Bethlehem) would sacrifice on the altars. Once a year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies with a bowl of the blood of a Bethlehem-born sacrificial lamb, offering the blood for atonement for the sins of the people. Jesus, born in Bethlehem, is our sacrificial Lamb. John the Baptist said of Jesus, as recorded in John 1:29, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Hebrews 5:4-6
And no man takes this honour to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son. Today I have begotten You” [Psalm 2:7], and in another place, “You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” [Psalm 119:4].
Just imagine, we are let in on a conversation between God the Father and God the Son, which took place in eternity past. Wow!!!
In today’s reading, the words “according to the order of Melchizedek” are repeated twice. The name of this King of Salem (Jerusalem) and this Priest of God, literally means, “King,” “Priest” (read Genesis 14:17-20). This King-Priest offered bread and wine to Abraham and to those with him. This may have been the first eucharist or communion service. Tomorrow’s reading also features Melchizedek. We might want to read ahead in Hebrews 7. Reading these Scriptures at least twice is an excellent practice.
The other twice-repeated word for today is “immutability” and “immutable” (6:17-18). This means “impossible to change”! The promises of God are totally reliable because they are grounded on the very bedrock of His Divine Nature. If it were possible for God to lie, He would no longer be God. Absolute TRUTH is an essential quality of His character. Every evidence that is necessary to confirm the eternal Priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ has been provided. Our Bethlehem-born Lamb of God has offered His own Body and Blood in the very presence of God in Heaven. His sacrifice for sin has been accepted by God on our behalf. What assurance!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Thank You, Jesus, that You are my Priest. You have presented Your own Body and Blood to God as the eternal, once for all, Sacrifice for my sin. You represent me before the throne of God in Heaven. Back here on Earth, I pray for grace to present myself to You daily in full assurance of the Salvation You have provided. Thank You that You’ve given me permission to use Your Name for entrance into “The Holy of Holies” as I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I had the opportunity to answer a question from Helmut Kohl, former Chancellor of Germany. He asked me, “Can a person know here in this life that they are going to Heaven?” I quoted Hebrews 6:18 to him…”It is impossible for God to lie,” and then I proceeded to give Him several of God’s promises about eternal life. You can read a fuller account of this God appointment in my book, This Far By Faith, pages 64-66. I’ve given copies of this book to people who lack assurance of their Salvation and pointed them to the Chancellor’s story. Here’s how to order my latest book.
Yours for a most Merry Christmas season. “A merry heart does good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).
David
His blessings be upon you, fellow saints in the Lord.
From Streams in the Desert, L. B. Cowman, December 18:
“When Dr. Moon, of Brighton, England, was stricken with blindness, he said “Lord, I accept this talent of blindness from Thee. Help me to use it for Thy glory that at Thy coming Thou mayest receive Thine own with usury.” Then God enabled him to invent the Moon Alphabet for the blind, by which thousands of blind people were enabled to read the Word of God, and many of them were gloriously saved.—Selected
“God did not take away Paul’s thorn; He did better—He mastered that thorn, and made it Paul’s servant. The ministry of thorns has often been a greater ministry to man than the ministry of thrones.”—Selected
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11 ESV
Lauren Daigle – Noel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGg7KdN19rs
Great to hear from you Beverlee! Missed your input. A bit disappointed today – weather and Covid restrictions. I was to visit a dear friend tomorrow. She’s 95 & in a great retirement home. With the latest news re: Covid, I believe that it may not be an option now. Thankfully we have telephones. Blessings to all today. God is our Refuge. Amen? P.S. William, be awfully careful walking with your “boot”. They tend to slip on wet/snowy pavement. (I remember)!!
Good bless you for your thoughtfulness, Doreen.I suspected it would be.Merry Christmas.
Wonderful Blessings on all Bloggers.
Thanks for your always inspiring input,Beverlee,hope you’re feeling better and that you have a very Merry Christmas.
I love Christmas – the buildup, the preparation, the anticipation, the promise of a Saviour and the fulfillment.
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His times of coming forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.”
Therefore He will give them up until the time
When she who is in labor has given birth.
Then the remainder of His kinsmen
Will return to the sons of Israel.
And He will arise and shepherd His flock
In the strength of the Lord,
In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.
And they will remain,
Because at that time He will be great
To the ends of the earth.
This One will be our peace.”
(Micah 5:2-5a)
Father, thank You for Your mercy. Despite Your full knowledge of our sinful estate, You sent Your own dear Son to save us. Please help all Your people to be mindful of that, to recognize Your presence and Your place in and among us. Help us live and speak as the good and faithful witnesses You made us to be, in Jesus’s great and faithful name, amen
Merry Christmas Rob, William, Blessed, Doreen and the rest of the usual saints as well as those who post periodically. 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄