December 7th

As God’s story continued to unfold, His people were looking forward to the coming One who would destroy the curse of sin and death. They did not know when this One would come. They did not know His name. However, they did know a few things.

The knew He would come from the tribe of Judah (in Israel). They knew He would be a prophet (like Moses). They knew He would be a king (from David’s family). And in Psalm 110, they learned that He would be a priest.

The Lord says to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand
  until I make your enemies
  a footstool for your feet.”
The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,
  “Rule in the midst of your enemies!”
Your troops will be willing
  on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy splendor,
  your young men will come to you
  like dew from the morning’s womb.
The Lord has sworn
  and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever,
  in the order of Melchizedek.”
Psalm 110:1-4

Maybe for us, this is not that big of a deal. But when this psalm was written, this was significant. Why? Because no one had ever been a priest and a king. Those had historically been two very different roles and positions. 

The priests of Israel had come from the family of Levi; not Judah. 
The kings that would come after David would be from the tribe of Judah. 

The role of the king was to rule. 
The role of the priest was to intercede. 

Kings led, protected, and governed the people. 
Priests counseled, sacrificed, and pleaded with God on behalf of the people. 

How could the coming One be both priest and king?

The writer of the psalm said the coming One would be a “priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Melchizedek is a mysterious figure in Scripture. We know very little about him. What we know is that he was a priest who lived before there was a priestly family of Levi. He was, in one way, an outsider. And yet, in Genesis 14, Abraham gave this priest a tenth (a tithe) of all he had and was blessed by him. It was as if the priest Melchizedek was not limited by tribe or nation. He merely stepped into God’s story and immediately served as a priest for Abraham. 

The coming One would not only be a prophet and king. He would be a priest. A priest who would step into the story and immediately serve as an intercessor and mediator between God the Father and the people.

Of all the Old Testament scriptures that are quoted in the New Testament, Psalm 110 is the one most frequently referenced. It must be important! For those looking forward to the coming One, this scripture revealed that God was sending One who was able to be a Faithful Prophet, Forever Priest, and an Eternal King. 

Take a moment now to thank God for being your Priest. For interceding on your behalf. For making a way for you to come to the Father. Then, follow His lead and take a few moments to intercede for your friends and family. Pray that they come to Jesus this Christmas.