Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Sacrament of Holy Qurbana: The Celebration of Salvation

Genesis 14.17-24

I really enjoy good movies.  The good ones unravel their stories well. At the end of any action movie, the hero/heroine is rewarded with the “fruits” of his/her labor.  In today’s passage, our hero Father Abraham rides in like a cowboy with his cavalry after saving his nephew Lot.  He has defeated evil kings and kingdoms.  Today’s scene takes place after all the action is done.  We see that God Most High delivered Abraham’s enemies into his hands.  We should never take credit for the innumerable ways God delivers us from evil.  We see the king of Salem coming to meet Abram. His name is Melchizedek (King of Righteousness) and he is one of the most amazing people we meet in the Old Testament (and later in Hebrews).  Verse 18 is absolutely stunning; what does this king bring to Abram? Bread & Wine!  Before the first Holy Communion with Jesus and his disciples, before the Mosaic law, before any priesthood is set in place, what do we see?  Here is a non-jewish priest of the True God who brings bread and wine to Abraham!  This is a momentous celebration of salvation.  It is temporary salvation given to Abraham in the battle against evil kings.  Eternal salvation is given to you and me through the precious sinless blood of JESUS. 
 
How great was this King and Priest Melchizedek (Malki Tzedek) that Abraham gave him 10 percent of all he had.  Notice that Abram gave the king of Salem a tenth of everything after the blessing from Melchizedek.  However that blessing only came after the victory, given to Abram by GOD.  Everything victory we have is from GOD.  JESUS is the KING of kings & The Great High Priest; how much more should we give to the LORD of ALL?  There are also 7 reasons showing why the priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Aaronic priesthood.  These reasons can be found in Hebrews 7.  It is of this superior priesthood order where JESUS currently reigns.

 
PRAYER
Dear Lord, You gave Yourself up for the world; help me to dedicate myself to Your will, Amen.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
KING JESUS is interceding for you and me now in heaven! Even now! How can we not be forgiven in CHRIST?  May we never wander from this truth.  HE is the High Priest who is sinless and gave himself up for us.   Celebrate, we must.
 
Adarsh Abraham, Detroit Mar Thoma Church
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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