PrayerBits for Saturday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Saturday

Scripture lesson: Hebrews 5:5-10 Melchizedek?

Time to reflect: Melchizedek comes from a story in Genesis 14:17-20. Hebrews is using this story to connect Jesus, by analogy to a “high priest” of Jerusalem (Salem) that is totally outside all the Jewish power struggles, lineages, political groups. Jesus wasn't just another contender to the high priest position, but was out of the clear blue, like Melchizdek. The old rules don't apply to Jesus.

Moving through the day: In what ways does society try to box Jesus in by making him fit some model that really doesn't apply? (just a) teacher? (just a) social activist? (just a) wise person? (just a) ....

Scripture:

So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
   "You are my Son;
      today I have become your Father."And he says in another place,
   "You are a priest forever,
      in the order of Melchizedek."

 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.