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Category: Religion

re·li·gion: a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conductof human affairs. Posts in this category pertain to religious matters and issues.

  • Fishocrites

    This week’s Christian Carnival links an interesting post on Christianity and hypocrisy. It’s a good read. For example:

    But there is another, more common, motive behind such charges of hypocrisy. Religion in general, and Christianity in particular, are not simply benign, quirky notions without consequence, such as believing in alien spaceships or in your fairy godmother. Religious conviction has consequences–consequences which require personal decisions which often go counter to our natural inclinations. Although generally dismissed as mere superstition by secular skeptics, religious faith demands that we change, and conform our lives to the dictates of morality and–particularly in the case of Christianity and Judaism–be accountable to a personal God. The religious person asserts, through both his faith and his actions, that behavior has consequences beyond that easily foreseen. Such a testimony can prove threatening to those who would prefer that their actions and lifestyles be unassailable, no matter what their impact on them personally, the people around them, and society in general. Christianity is, furthermore, by its founding and nature an evangelical faith, seeking to actively call men away from self-centeredness toward the goodness and mercy of God through personal change and repentance. But this proactive endeavor is–unsurprisingly–threatening and uncomfortable for many, even when done for the best of motives.

    He goes on at great length, in what is a great treatise on hypocrisy; however, I’ve always thought the words of Eli’s Hypocrite Song rather fitting:

    I’ve been quick to point a finger
    At things I find outrageous
    Well, I wonder who I’ll point at
    When I read my life on pages
    When I’ve played my final number
    It really won’t take long
    To realize I sang a hypocrite song

    Chorus:

    Oh ly-dee-dye, oh ly-dee-dee
    I thank the Lord that there’s a Heaven< br />Full of hypocrites like me
    So tell the angels to get ready
    Cuz it may not be too long
    Until I come and sing my hypocrite song

    I preach about redemption
    As I look you in the face
    Then I’m convinced I must be dyin’
    But it’s just somethin’ that I ate
    But it’s Jesus who gives mercy
    To make a weak man strong
    So he can stand and sing
    His hypocrite song

    Repeat Chorus

    I can’t wait to see my Savior
    And look Him in the face
    Shake His hand and plainly thank Him
    For forgiving my mistakes
    And for helping me remember
    That even when I’m right I’m wrong
    Then we’ll rejoice and sing this hypocrite song

  • One Of The Reasons I’m a Fan

    The Colts moved to Indianapolis when I was seven years old. (Ironically enough, before then, I was a Steelers fan – insofar as a toddler can be a “fan” of anything; but I do remember my Steelers pajamas.) While I followed my new hometown team since their arrival, my footbal fanatacism began in earnest in high school, and gained prominence when my interest in baseball waned after the mid-90s strike. I discovered true passion for the team because of the players: Biscuit, Goose, Captain Comeback of the mid-90s era, to the players today. I appreciate that the team – whether be design or coincidence – seems to emulate the midwestern values of its host city: hard work, humility, faith. When Tony Dungy was hired as head coach, I couldn’t have imagined a better choice. He is a great coach, but he is an even greater man. A good coach sets the tone for the team, and this Colts team is truly a family:

    Every year, we hear about teams whose bonds have been forged through the fires of adversity — adversity meaning a three-game losing streak. The members of this organization, though, have come together through the most personal and distressing of all circumstances.

    The Colts are not just the best team in the league and the prohibitive favorite to win Super Bowl XL. They are also the most united, the most resolute team, and they have been all season.

    Anyone who follows this team knows that such sentiment is more than just flattery. And I’ll say without hesitation that the team unity has much to do with the faith of it’s coach – it’s leader and symbolic father: the same faith shared by many of the players:

    The Colts’ Johnson, 45, leads a weekly Bible study for coaches and another for players. With his wife, Della, he hosts Bible studies for players and their wives and offers marriage counseling.

    He delivers a short sermon and sometimes sings at the 30-minute worship services over which he is primarily responsible on the eve of most games.

    Not that I would try to put anyone up on a pedestal, but is good to be able to follow and root for men like these. It makes the success that much sweeter. In the words of Bob Kravitz:

    A Super Bowl won’t bring James back, won’t be a salve on a wound that will last forever. But for a group that has cried together, the chance to celebrate together, to chase away one man’s grief for a couple of hours, would be very sweet, indeed.

  • Christian Carnival CIV

    This week’s Christian Carnival is up at Random Responses

  • OYB: January 11

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Genesis 24:52-66, Genesis 25, Genesis 26:1-16
    NT: Matthew 8:18-34
    Ps: Psalm 10:1-15
    Pr: Proverbs 3:7-8

    Today´s notable verse:

    [Jesus] replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

    Matthew 8:26 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog notes:

    The question is this – Are you willing to die for your faith? (again… I said this is heavy….) This would be the ultimate cost in this life for any of us. Our life. And it may well be that this cost will never be asked of you. But – for many in our world today, they are indeed paying this cost of their lives for their faith in Jesus. There have been martyrs throughout the centuries, and there still countless martyrs are in our world today. Certainly, as we proceed through this gospel of Matthew we will see that Jesus is willing to die for his faith. So, again, it’s a tough question – but are you willing to die for your faith?

    To a Christian, death holds no fear. The manner of death, perhaps – but not death itself. What happens when we die? We meet our Savior face-to-face, and enter into our eternal reward. I am reminded of The Return of the King, when Aragorn says, “I do not fear death!” and when Gandalf muses, “End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path… One that we all must take.” I think the more difficult question is this: am I willing to lay down my life each day for Christ? Am I willing to sacrifice my self-interest, my confort, and my desires in order to serve Christ? I honestly believe that this choice is much more difficult that the one of literal life or death. Will I allow myself to be hurt in order that my brother or sister may be strengthened? Will I allow myself to be dishonored that Christ may be honored? These questions we face every day – and every day we fail, in one way or another, be it minor or spectacular. Thank God for His grace to carry us through!

  • OYB: January 10

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Genesis 23, Genesis 24:1-51
    NT: Matthew 8:1-17
    Ps: Psalm 9:13-20
    Pr: Proverbs 3:1-6

    Today´s notable verse:

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

    Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog notes:

    The passages on the faith of the centurion are powerful – especially his words in verse 8 – “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed!” Verses 10 & 11 are significant to Matthew’s primarily Jewish audience of this gospel – “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all the land of Israel! And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus is making it clear that heaven will not be just for Jews, but will be made available for all who come to believe in Jesus as Messiah and in his life, his death for the forgiveness of sins, and his resurrection. Can we learn something from the faith of the centurion in our lives today?

    I think it interesting to note that in both stories of Jesus performing healing miracles it was the faith – evidenced by action – that preceded Jesus’ healing. In both cases, it was faith – in Jesus’ ability and right (the leper), and authority and word (the centurion) to heal – that led each man to approach Jesus to ask for him to heal. In the case of the former, Jesus was willing to heal, as the leper had asked. In the latter, Jesus was astonished at this gentile’s understanding of the meaning of power of authority, as well as his recognition of Jesus’ authority to perform the miracle for which he asked. Further, the centurion understood the power of a word spoken with true authority. His word carried authority for those under him, and he understood the same principle applied to Jesus. (Jesus’ astonishment, then, must have partly been due to the centurion’s demonstration of his understanding that Jesus had authority over sickness and disease – a perhaps subtle, yet extremely important difference between Jesus and a mere prophet of God.) That the centurion knew that a word from Jesus would heal his servant was therefore a truly astonishing evidence of faith.

    A side note here: I am reminded that our words carry power as well (Proverbs 18:21). Whether or not you believe that our words carry the translated power and authority of Jesus to heal, know that the words we speak over and into others’ lives do have a lasting, tangible affect.

    Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on our Matthew readings today about Jesus’ healings – do you believe that Jesus still heals people today? What does he heal people of today? Does he heal sickness? Addictions? Laziness? Pride? All manner of sins? Has Jesus healed you of anything? Do you believe he can?

    God’s character does not change, right? (Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6) Jesus Christ – who is God – is the same yesterday, today, and forever, right? (Hebrews 13:8) According to our reading today, Jesus’ ministry was to heal – physically as well as spiritually – the sick. Jesus sent out his disciples with orders to heal the sick. (Matthew 10:8) I think it is plainly obvious that Jesus still heals people today. Most amazingly, physical healing is the least miraculous of Jesus’ healing work today. Most importantly – most miraculously – Jesus heals us of our Spiritual death and corruption and restores our right relationship with God. We become new spiritual creations! (II Corinthians 5:7) As His Spirit works in our lives, we are “transformed in the renewing of [our] minds” (Romas 12:2) – which I believe to mean that Jesus heals us of our iniquities, addictions, and other inclinations of our former selves toward evil: mental/emotional healing. And finally, yes, I do believe that Jesus still ministers physical healing today. Who, what, where, when, and why are questions all far too advanced for my feeble mind to comprehend, and I won’t let my inability to answer them rattle my faith – though, I will continue to study the Word and try to walk more closely with my Lord, in the hope that my faith may grow, and that I might gain more wisdom to know the answers to these questions insofar as God will reveal them.

  • OYB: January 9

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Genesis 20, Genesis 21, Genesis 22
    NT: Matthew 7:15-29
    Ps: Psalm 9:1-12
    Pr: Proverbs 2:16-22

    Today´s notable verse:

    Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

    Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog notes:

    Matthew 7:25 I think is an important verse for us to meditate upon in our own lives – “Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock.” I never paid too much attention to this verse – I always focused on verse 24 and building a strong foundation on solid rock. But, I had lunch with a friend recently and he shared with me that this verse 25 – and verse 27 too – should be a reminder to each of us that storms will come in our lives…So, then, the key becomes if we know storms will come, we really should pay attention to verse 24 and build up a strong foundation of faith during the times of calm. It’s kind of like the idea of saving for a rainy day – the day will come when it rains. So let us build up our faith and love in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit today! So that when the storms of life come our way, we will not collapse, but will remain faithful to the beautiful end.

    First, I can certainly attest that the storms do come! It is vitally important that we face those storms with Christ as our foundation. However, I don’t think we can “sav[e] for a rainy day” with respect to our faith. We establish the foundation of our faith in Christ, but our faith cannot truly grow, develoop, and deepen until we face the storms. Just as a muscle cannot grow without resistance, faith cannot grow unless it is challenged. Praise God for the storms we face – and overcome through Him! (James 1:2-3)

    Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on the knowledge that storms will come into our life, what are you doing in your life to build a firm foundation of faith? Reading the Bible regularly? Going to church regularly? Being part of a small group or community group or Bible study with other Christians regularly? Praying regularly? What else? Do you think that storms will come to your life? Have you experienced storms in your life in the past where your faith has been your firm foundation and has gotten you through the storm? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?

    I believe the key to weathering the storms of life is three-fold: 1) The Word, 2) Prayer, and 3) the Church. The first part – the Word – is our foundation. We must know, believe, and live the Word. We must know the nature and character of our God, and His promises to us, and the principles by which He would have us live. The second part – Prayer – is our lifeline. We must stay connected in intimate relationship with our God and Savior, who ministers to us through His Spirit, and who guides us in our daily lives. The third part – the Church – is our buttress. We are members of the body of Christ, to support, encourage, and sharpen one another. We agree with one another in prayer. We lay hands. In short, we carry out the physical work of Christ in the earth – including supporting one another when we face the inevitable storms of life. I cannot overstate the vital importance of close Christian friends. All the things you mentioned: reading the Bible, going to church, participating in community groups/Bible studies, and praying, all help us weather our storms, but only insofar as they develop our relationship with God, and with each other. Simply “putting in time” at church, Bible study, or in prayer will accomplish nothing.

  • OYB: January 8

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Genesis 18:20-33, Genesis 19
    NT: Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 7:1-14
    Ps: Psalm 8
    Pr: Proverbs 2:6-15

    Today´s notable verse:

    If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

    Matthew 7:11 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog notes:

    And I do think this is an important point before we read about Abraham’s intercessory prayer to God – that for intercessory prayer really to have any standing before God, we need to be in right relationship with God. If we are being disobedient to God or being unrepentant of sins or bad habits that God wants us to give up, then I think our intercessory prayer for others loses its effectiveness. Check out James 5:16 (MSG) for this point – “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Abraham was credited as righteous because of his faith (Genesis 15:6). Hence, his intercessory prayer was powerful and effective.

    We have to be very careful how we word this point. I don’t think that we can take James to mean that our disobedience or acts of unrighteousness make us unrighteous in God’s sight, if we are truly credited as righteousness because of our faith. I think Scripture does support the point that if we are being disobedient or unrepentant, or are harboring unforgiveness, then our prayers will not be effecteve; however, they do not somehow nullify our righteousness, for it is found in faith in Christ, alone – not by works, lest any should boast.

    I don’t think Jesus is calling for us to walk around blissfully thinking everyone is perfect… but he is saying don’t “condemn” others for their actions. God is the only true judge of anyone’s actions. But, I think it is still okay for us to take note of how people act or behave. Remember that 1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells us to – “Test everything.” So, I do think it is okay (and even wise) to evaluate a person’s character. Let me know your thoughts on this one in the Comments section below.

    Good distinction. While we are commanded not to judge others – neither with respect to one’s salvation nor his moral standing – we are also commanded to discern others’ character. The key to the ability to walk this seemingly fine line is humility: Romans 12:3, Philippians 2:3. Consider also from today’s reading: Matthew 7:3-5 – we are to be more concerned with our own sin ever to worry about the sin of others. Yet, we are still to recognize good and evil, and to distinguish between them. Perhaps this is the root of the old adage: Love the sinner, hate the sin?

    In reference to Psalm 8:

    Have you ever had the experience of nature, God’s creation, evangelizing you? When you are out in nature, do you offer up praise and thanks to God for his amazingly beautiful creation?

    I am never closer to God, nor more at peace, than when I am alone, communing with God in His creation. It is at such times that I am awe-struck by the splendor, majesty, and beauty of His creation, and humbled by my own insignificance. I am reminded of my mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, this past summer. Each day, we spent time alone with God, and the pictures below are the view I had one morning during this devotional time:2005oaxaca_0782005oaxaca_077Roca Blanca Missions Base, Cacalote, Oaxaca, Mexico.
    Destiny Church of St. Louis summer 2005 mission trip.
    Photos © Chip Bennett; all rights reserved

    Comments from you & Question of the Day – Back to Matthew chapter 7 verse 6 – “Don’t give what is holy to unholy people. Don’t give pearls to swine! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.” I understand what is being said here – and I can think of specific instances in my life where this type of thing has happened. My question though for each of us is this – how do we show our friends, family, neighbors the love of God? Honestly, I have an evangelistic heart – but I don’t think I really openly evangelize much. I love God so much – and it bums me out when I see my friends struggling with addictions – when it seems like they are seeking God. So – I don’t think this verse 6 is referring to these types of situations – people seeking God in all the wrong places. I think we are called to somehow share the love of God with our hurting friends – with a hurting world. But – how do you do this? Do you pray for others? Do you give others books or Bibles? Do you send them spiritual emails? Do you invite them to church? Do you “preach the gospel at all times, and use words when only necessary?”

    I think the way to show the lost the love of God is to love them the way that God loves them. The way to reach the lost is not merely to preach the Gospel, but to live the Gospel. Witness is not something we do as much is it is what we are. We are to live our lives in such a way that others recognize the difference, and praise God because of it (I Peter 2:12). To love others as God loves means taking an other-centered perspective, rather than a self-centered one. To live the Gospel means walking out I Corinthians 13 – no easy task, to be sure! In fact, without the working of the Spirit in our lives, it is impossible – which is why, I think, seeing it in our lives is exceptional.

  • OYB: January 7

    Today´s reading:
    OT: Genesis 16, Genesis 17, Genesis 18:1-19
    NT: Matthew 6:1-24
    Ps: Psalm 7
    Pr: Proverbs 2:1-5

    Today´s notable verse:

    For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

    Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog notes:

    I think when we give anonymously or pray for others quietly or fast privately, we are really worshipping God. We are in essence saying, “God I am doing these things because of who you are, how great you are, and to let you know how much I love you. I don’t need to let anyone know about this act of worship between me and you. You knowing is more than enough.” Now, I do think there are times for communal giving, praying and fasting – but I love that Jesus challenges us to make sure we find private ways to worship God and God only – and not to bring glory to ourselves through public praise.

    You found the key: bringing glory to God, rather than ourselves, through our “acts of righteousness.” When we do something with the intent to receive the praise of men, then we are stealing the praise and glory that rightly belong to God. The very purpose of our lives is to live in relationship with God and to bring Him glory. If our motive in doing something is to bring glory to ourselves, then we are placing ourselves before God, in violation of the First Commmandment. We may receivce our earthly glory, but what a pathetic substitue for hearing, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”

    Based on our Matthew 6 readings today about the Lord’s Prayer, let me ask you this: How do you pray? Or, in how many different ways do you pray? Do you pray specific prayers regularly, like the Lord’s Prayer? Do you keep a list of people by your bedside to pray for regularly? Do you pray through writing in a journal?

    I pray in many ways, depending on the situation, my mood, and the leading of the Spirit. I pray out loud; I pray in silence; I pray in song; I pray in the written word; I pray alone; I pray with a friend or a small group of friends; I pray corporately, in worship services. I generally pray with words according to the leading of my heart, or of the Spirit. I rarely pray “rote” prayers – though, I’m beginning to see some of the beauty and simplicity in such prayers as the Lord’s Prayer, or other liturgical prayers to which I have been introduced through attending denominational services. I have some situations in which I keep a list of people and prayer requests. I have used a prayer journal in the past, and would like to regain the habit. My most meaningful prayer time seems to be the silent, meditative prayers in which I simply wait on the Lord. These prayers require me to “shut down my mind” or “separate” myself from my thoughts – something generally very difficult for someone of my personality! But, I think that is why this type of prayer is so meaningful; it is a sacrifice for the purpose of honoring God and an act of “dying to self” in order to hear from Him.

  • On The Outside, Looking In

    You know, moving to St. Louis some three years ago has been an educational experience in so many ways. St. Louis remains very much an old-fashioned, blue-collar, labor-friendly city. St. Louis has two very strong religious identities: Roman Catholic and Lutheran. These religious identities are due, in large part, to the very strong ethnic identities with which St. Louis is blessed. One such ethnic identity – the Polish immigrants of the St. Stanislaus Kostka parish – are in the midst of a legal battle with the St. Louis archdiocese that is painful and saddening to witness.

    St. Stanislaus is unique in that it was granted a “perpetual charter” to control the property and assets through a board of directors. The St. Louis archdiocese has been attempting to gain control of the parish’s $9 Million in assets, having no legal, moral, or other authority or power to do so. The dispute has escalated from the archdiocese removing the parish’s priest, to the parish independently hiring its own priest, to the archdiocese excommunicating said priest along with the entire board of directors and declaring all religious rites performed at the parish to be “illicit”, to the parish continuing to hold mass and perform religious rites in defiance of the archdiocese’s edicts, to the archdiocese removing the parish from the archdiocese altogether.

    The reaction of Saint Louisans has been divided, perhaps even hotly, with support for both St. Stanislaus (more) and the archdiocese of St. Louis (more). Of course, both the archdiocese and the parish have their own side of the dispute.

    At least at this point, I am somewhat dispassionate with respect to the legal dispute. Others much more well-versed in the details can offer much more meaningful opinions. The issue I have a problem with, though, is the archdiocese excommunicating the priest, board of directors, and essentially the parish itself over a legal dispute. (I question the right of anyone other than the Holy Spirit to “excommunicate” anyone, but that is another matter altogether.) The idea that such a legal dispute could be grounds for moral action does not appear to be consistent with my understanding of the Bible. For the archdiocese to claim that participants in a so-called “illicit” mass are placing themselves in danger of “mortal sin” is preposterous. The mass worships and glorifies God, regardless of whether or not one recognized as an “official” priest officiates it. (Of course, again, my reading of I Peter 2:9 tells me that there is no longer any separation between laity and priesthood – so my bias is obviously against the Roman Catholic position here.)

    Yes, I am extremely bothered that I am forbidden to participate in communion (eucharist) if I attend Roman Catholic mass. We profess faith in the same Christ, and claim righteousness through that same faith. What about “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”? Would the Roman Catholic church consider my Catholic friends to be in danger of “mortal sin” if they attended a service at my non-Roman Catholic church? That very thought is preposterous. I would not join those protestants who think that Catholics are “non-Christian” or “unsaved”; to me, anyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ, and claims salvation from sins through that faith alone, is my brother (or sister) in Christ.

    Among my observations of being a Saint Louisan for better than three years now is that this city is fragmented and segregated – ideology, ethnicity, even neighborhoods – more than any city I’ve ever known. Identity is not so much as a Saint Louisan as a member of a neighborhood community (of which there are too many to list here). It is extremely disappointing that the same segregation appears in the Christian community in Saint Louis. I pray for the unity of the city – but my prayer is first for the unity of the Church of Saint Louis. And I pray that I will have the opportunity to participate in bringing about the reconciliation so desparately needed.

  • OYB: January 6

    Today’s reading:

    OT: Genesis 13:5-18, Genesis 14, Genesis 15

    NT: Matthew 5:27-48

    Ps: Psalm 6

    Pr: Proverbs 1:29-33

    Today’s notable verse:


    Bit I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain onthe righteous and the unrighteous.

    Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV)

    The One Year Bible Blog notes:

    In verses 17 through 20 in chapter 14 we read about Melchizedek. And I definitely would like to get others opinions on this – Who was Melchizedek? The reason I ask this question is due to Hebrews Chapter 7…I guess my thinking currently is that Melchizedek was a very great priest – but I’m not sure he was Jesus Christ preincarnate? But, again, I’m willing to listen to others on your thoughts on this. My thoughts on this is that Hebrews 7 seems to be saying that Jesus is “like” or “in the order” of Melchizedek – but not quite saying Jesus is Melchizedek. I read there are 4 basic theories on who Melchizedek is – 1. simply a king of Salem and Abram was showing him respect, 2. Melchizedek was a standard title for the kings of Salem. 3. He was a “type of Christ” and he illustrates a lesson about Christ. or 4. He was Jesus preincarnate in a temporary body form. So – whaddya think?

    “in the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 6:20 NIV) – or more literally, “according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 6:20 NASB). The Hebrew word translated as “in” or “according to” is kata, which means, “down, against, according to.” The Hebrew word translated as “order” is taxis, which means “an arranging, order” and derivates from the root tasso which means “to draw up in order, arrange.” Thus, the Scripture is not referring to “order” as a group (religious order, or group) but as an arranging (order of events) or type (similarity). Hebrews indicates that Melchizedek symbolized and foreshadowed several things about the Christ, including (regurgitating liberally from my BSF homework of a few weeks ago):

    • Both are King of Salem (Jerusalem) – which means “king of peace”
    • Both are a priest of God Most High
    • Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”
    • Both are without beginning of days or end of life
    • Both remain a priest forever
    • Both blessed Abraham
    • Abraham tithed (gave 10 percent to) Melchizedek, establishing the tithe to Christ

    Clearly, Mehchizedek was both King of Salem and a Prist of God Most High (Scripture tells us this much). The Bible tells us little of Salem at this time. Perhaps Salem was ruled by Priests; perhaps Melchizedek was extraordinary in that he was a Priest King. Perhaps “Melchizedek” was the title for “King of Salem”, but I don’t consider this point consequential, since this passage clearly refers to a specific person, and Hebrews 7 refers to this same passage and person. I don’t, however, think that Scripture supports the theory that Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate Christ. Would a pre-incarnate Christ offer blessings to Himself?


    and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most Hight, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

    Genesis 14:19-20 (NIV)

    Certainly, part of the role of the Levitical (Old Testament) priesthood was to offer blessings to God; however, New Testament priesthood is completely different from Old Testament priesthood (this point being the entire reason for this particular passage in Hebrews). The work of the Old Testament High Priest was imperfect, incomplete, and continual. The work of Christ, the New Testament High Priest, was once, for all – perfect and complete. Old Testament priests offered praise to God through the High Priest. We the New Testament priesthood offer praise to God the Son, our High Priest, seated at the right hand of the Father. The Old Testament priests ministered on behalf of the people, temporarily and symbolically purified through religious rite. The New Testament priesthood consists of all believers, sanctified forever through Christ (I Peter 2:9).

    OYBB points out that today’s reading from Matthew consists of “hard teachings” about the condition of our heart:

    Matthew 5:27-30 are Jesus’ teachings about adultery. And really I think these teachings, along with many others in the Sermon on the Mount, are even more so about what is going on inside our hearts. Jesus discusses how the law says clearly how we are “not to do” something – it’s very apparent and very “exterior” if we commit a sin like adultery. Jesus says that the exterior/apparent/obvious sin is wrong for sure – but Jesus is equally as concerned with what’s going on in the “interior” – inside our hearts. Jesus proposes that if we have looked at someone lustfully with our “interior”, we have committed the same sin as if we had actually committed adultery on the “exterior”. Do you see how Jesus’ teachings in today’s readings are really focusing on the condition of our hearts? How is the condition of your heart today when it comes to these teachings? …I know these can be seen as “hard teachings.”

    True enough, but I think the real message of this passage is much deeper. Jesus here gives several examples of the imperfect nature of the Old Testament Law, and what the perfect standard is for each example. Jesus turns our thinking upside-down: from “what TO DO and what NOT TO DO in order to avoid sinning” to “what TO DO in order to become holy”, which Jesus summarizes thus: “be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

    Another point Jesus makes here – and one about which I hope to write at some length in the near future – is that Love is only considered virtuous when it is difficult.


    If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than the others? Do not even the pagans do that?

    Matthew 5:46-47 (NIV)

    Love is an action, a conscious decision of the will. This choice is easy to make when we act in love toward those who reciprocate; but to love our enemies, or those who hate us? That love is truly Christ-like.