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“Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, their brothers—even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater” ( Hebrews 7:4-7 )

No one would dispute the greatness of Abraham. Throughout the entire Scriptures he is mentioned, his covenant with God is referred to and his faith is talked about. He was the only Old Testament patriarch that was called a friend of God. We can learn a lot from Abraham. His faith paved the way for righteousness to be credited to all who believe.

As Abraham returned from redeeming Lot from captivity, Melchizedek went out to meet him. As great as Abraham was he still recognized the greater one and paid due respect. As Melchizedek blessed him, Abraham gave him one tenth of the choicest portions of the spoils. He responded appropriately to Melchizedek’s position and greatness.

The interesting thing is that the covenant and promises of God belonged to Abraham ( Genesis 15 ). He even established circumcision as the sign of this covenant with Abraham and his descendants signifying that it was an everlasting covenant ( Genesis 17 ). God went as far as to change both Abraham and Sarah’s name to reflect the promise ( Genesis 17 ). This is why Abraham is called the Father of Many Nations because everything we have as believers stems from this covenant.

Abraham was a great man, which is why it is important for us to pay attention to what happened between himself and Melchizedek. He gave him a tenth of everything. Now the law, which was introduced 430 years later ( Galatians 3:17 ) described the tithe ( Leviticus 27:30-34, Numbers 18:23-28 ). The tithe was brought to God and then dispersed to the priests. The priests were of the line of Levi, who came from Abraham. Melchizedek was before this, without family ties without record of beginning or ending. So the gift Abraham gave was not out of obligation to the Law, it was a response to the greatness of Melchizedek.

Where blessings are concerned, the lesser person is always blessed by the greater person as is the case with Abraham and Melchizedek even though it was Abraham who possessed the promises. No one refutes the greatness of Abraham, so taking this into account we see how amazing Melchizedek was. This matters to us because Jesus is our High Priest after this order ( Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 7:17 ).

We too are the recipients of a great promise and covenant with God. Like circumcision, the seal given to us is the deposited Holy Spirit; guaranteeing the promise. Like Melchizedek, Jesus bestows on us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm ( Ephesians 1:3 ). So our response should be that of Abraham, a gift from the heart not stemming from obligation. This encompasses far more than money. Our response to the greatness and awesomeness of Christ should be our lives. We can look at the priesthood of Melchizedek to gain insight into Jesus as he was the pattern of that which was to come. If Melchizedek was great then Jesus is awesome. And God has given us this precious gift to guarantee our intercession before him. What less can we give in return to this blessing than a life fully devoted to our savior and faithful High Priest?

Abraham's promise came four hundred and thirty years before the Law was given through Moses. Therefore it is impossible that the promise could ever come by the Law, it has to come by faith. Because faith was the original catalyst for the righteousness that the promise produced.

The Law was given to the Jews and the Law was intended for the Jews, not for the Gentiles. The purpose was to lead them to Christ. It acted as a schoolmaster or guardian to lead towards Christ and His appointed time. Therefore they were always to be justified by faith according to the promise to Abraham given centuries before the Law. ( Galatians 3:23-25 ).

Abraham's offspring was also to be recipients of the promise. The Jews assumed that the heirs were physical decedents of Abraham. However, the promise was that all nations on earth would be blessed by Abraham ( Genesis 12:3 ) and that he would be the father of many nations ( Genesis 17:4 ). However as Paul worded the promise in today's passage, Abraham was the heir of the world. So this removes any claim the Jews had, that they alone were sole beneficiaries of the promise of God.

So the promise comes by faith and the promise is offered to everyone who has faith in it. That faith is what obtains the righteousness that the Law could never provide. Today, the promise has been fulfilled in Jesus and the words spoken to Abraham in Genesis 12 have come to pass. The entire world has been blessed by Abraham and his example of faith.

 Part of the plan has always been this hardening in regards to Israel so that the salvation message would be opened to the Gentiles. John said, "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" ( John 1:11-13 ). In other words the Jews left the door wide open for the Gentiles to come to Jesus and be part of his chosen people.

The good news is that this is only a temporary thing for Israel. There is currently a believing remnant chosen by grace ( Romans 11:5 ). But as a whole they have not stumbled to the point of spiritual ruin. Paul said later on in this very chapter that "God's gifts and his call are irrevocable" ( Romans 11:29 ). Israel has a long standing relationship with the Lord and he has chosen and called them as his own. Eventually they will turn from their self-sufficiency towards Christ's redeeming love. Once they turn their eyes again towards him, their spiritual blindness will be removed and they will see Jesus clearly.

There is no doubt that the enormous number of Gentiles who turned to Jesus over the centuries has aroused the Israelites to jealousy. They look upon us and see and feel what they forfeited. But even in their jealousy they did not turn to the Messiah. This failure on their part has enriched and blessed the entire world. Because they rejected Jesus, his salvation was offered to all of mankind. Their loss meant riches for those originally outside of His covenants.

Paul spoke about this in Ephesians 2. "Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ" ( Ephesians 2:12-13 ). Israel's rejection of Jesus made it possible for us to be brought into the promise. Our condition before this was hopeless. We were aliens to God's covenants, we were excluded from his promises and we did not know God in any way. But by the blood of Jesus we who were far away were brought near and included in this new family.

Paul went on to say, "he came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household" ( Ephesians 2:17-19 ). Through Jesus we have been brought into the promises and have been joined together with Israel and reconciled to God. Jesus came and brought both the Jews and the Gentiles everlasting peace with God. Through faith we now have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit. Inclusion in the promise is the rich blessing that came to us because Israel rejected Jesus. If this is the case imagine what blessings will occur when they finally receive him as their Messiah.

Today, I am so thankful to be included in the promises spoken to the Israelites. I am thankful that Jesus provided the peace and hope that I live by through the blood of Jesus. Today, may you join me in a thankful heart for what Jesus has done for you, amen.

As believers we are to follow Christ's example of being willing to meet people where they are. Fully God, yet he humbled himself and stepped into humanity on our behalf. He gave up the glory of heaven to come and redeem mankind, born in the most humble way. He did not consider his royal position ahead of our need for him; he humbled himself and became obedient to death in order that we might experience firsthand the love of God.

In the same way, we are to have the mindset of Christ concerning those around us. We are to consider them above ourselves. Paul has given us plenty of instruction in Romans 12 on how to live in harmony with one another. In today's passage he reminds us that we should rejoice with those who rejoice and morn with those who mourn. This can only happen when we genuinely love and care for each other.  By showing interest and concern for others above our own need, we become invested in their lives. Doing so brings us to the point of being able to share with them in every circumstance. Rejoicing and mourning with them is a natural response to the love shared, this is why Paul started out by saying "love must be sincere" ( Romans 12:9 ).

To live in harmony with each other we have to be willing to associate with everyone. As believers, we should not be conceited or overestimate ourselves. We should not be exclusive or snobbish toward one another and we should always be willing to include and care for those around us. Jesus told the disciples "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all" ( Mark 9:35 ). This is the secret to getting ahead in life, putting others ahead of yourself and serving each other just as if you were serving the Lord. Jesus then took a child in his arms and went on to explain to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me." ( Mark 9:37 ). Keeping this eternal perspective in mind will enable us to live in harmony with each other, rejoicing, mourning and caring for each other's needs just as if the Lord standing before us.

Today it is my prayer that you understand this wonderful truth and apply it to your life. May God bless you as you seek him and may he bring people into your path to be a blessing to, amen.

It is interesting that Paul reminds us to bless those who persecute us. This is completely opposite of what our our human response tends to be in such circumstances. A normal reaction would be striking back to defend ourselves. But Paul warns us not to curse but bless instead. The Bible gives us good reason to have this perspective and knowing these truths will protect your heart from the persecution that will come your way.

First of all when we are slandered or persecuted it is because we bear the name of Christ. Peter wrote to the church, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" ( I Peter 4:12-14 ). Persecution is a sign that you are born again. Jesus told us that we would have trouble in this world ( John 16:33 ) and that people would hate us just as the world hated him ( John 15:18 ). But in all of these things we are to rejoice because we bear the name of Christ and the glory of God is evident in our lives. Peter went on to say, "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name" ( I Peter 4:17 ).

Secondly, when we are persecuted we must remind ourselves of the true reason behind it. Jesus told the disciples in the parable of the sower of the seed that persecution comes because of the word ( Matthew 13:21, Luke 8:13, Mark 4:17 ). The word of God is so powerful that planting it in the soil of our heart will forever change our lives and yield much fruit. If the devil can stomp out the word of God by stealing it before it gets planted or by persecution, he will render us ineffective for the kingdom of God. This is why when persecution comes it is important to remember that it is because of Christ and His word, not us, so we can move past it and keep an eternal perspective protecting our heart and the word planted at the same time.

Lastly, it is important to remember when persecuted that we are called to be a blessing. This is why we bless and not curse. Jesus spoke extensively about this. He was always reminding the disciples to serve one another, to consider each other more highly than themselves, to turn the other cheek when wronged. These actions were evidence of the new birth and nature. In the same way to curse those who persecute us would be to go against the nature of God living inside us. Isaiah 53 told us that Jesus did not curse or defend himself when standing accused before Pilate, "as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth" ( Isaiah 53:7 ). Jesus could have annihilated every one of his accusers by speaking and defending himself, yet he remained silent on our behalf. Isaiah went on to say, "nor was any deceit in his mouth" ( Isaiah 53:9b ). He did not curse those who brought such agony on him but remained silent so that He could fulfill the purpose for which he came. He became a curse for us so that we could receive blessing ( Galatians 3:13-14 ). Following His example we are to bless those who persecute us. Remember; it is on the account of Christ.

Today, I pray that this truth penetrates your heart and gives you a new outlook on persecution. Keeping this perspective in mind will get you through any trouble that comes your way on the account of Christ and His word. Blessed are you because you bear His name.

Can you imagine reading these words from the Apostle Paul knowing he was planning to come visit your town? Would you be excited to hear him preach and see the demonstration of power by the Holy Spirit as miracles were performed? Reading these words that Paul wrote to this church, "I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ", must have created anticipation that was unmatched by any other event for these believers.

Paul was confident and bold in what he wrote. But just as Paul wrote many times, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord" ( I Corinthians 1:31, II Corinthians 10:17 ), Paul's confidence stemmed out of relationship to the Lord Jesus, knowing that what was accomplished was done by God. He wrote with power and authority because he knew who he was in Christ Jesus. He knew the full gospel and how he had been set apart and redeemed to share it with the world ( Romans 1:1 ). He knew that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwelled on the inside of him ( Romans 8:11, Ephesians 1:19-20 ). So it was a natural statement to make to this church that he expected to come in the abundant blessing of the Gospel of Christ.

In the book of Acts we have the record of what happened while Paul was in Rome. Even though he was under house arrest at this time he was able to teach the gospel freely among the Romans. "For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ" ( Acts 28:30-31 ). Paul shared with these believers the full measure of the blessing of Christ which comes through the gospel, which is the power of God ( Romans 1:16 ). Paul was able to walk in this blessing because he chose to do so. He did not allow others to dictate whether or not he operated in the Holy Spirit. Even in chains he was able to teach about the Kingdom of God and his word was confirmed by signs and wonders the entire time he was in Rome.

As believers this full measure of the blessing of Christ is also available to us all the time. It is not something God gives occasionally; he has already given it to us when we put our faith in Him to save us.  He has given us the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us into the entire truth of Christ and to confirm the Word in our lives. The blessing of Christ is now our birthright as his children and recipients of the gospel. Like Paul we can choose to walk in this abundance at all times. Knowing God and understanding what he has provided and accomplished for us will enable us to dwell in His power continually. Imagine what our lives would be like if we fully operated in the grace we were called to. Just as Paul exclaimed, I" know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ", we too would be confident in our words and deeds, knowing that we bring the kingdom of God with us where ever we go.

What an amazing truth to renew our minds with. As born again believers, our confidence is in the Lord Jesus. Knowing him enables us to operate in the same boldness that the Apostle Paul operated in as he anticipated his trip to Rome. My prayer today is that you remember that the Kingdom of God lives inside you and the abundant blessing of Christ is available for you to live and operate within all the time. May you change the world around you by the power of the Holy Spirit inside you; May God's love and truth be evident in everything you do! Amen.