WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.040 I wanted to introduce myself. 00:00:02.140 --> 00:00:04.740 If you're visiting today, my name is Bill Herrett. 00:00:04.860 --> 00:00:06.940 ! I'm an associate pastor here at Southwood. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:10.220 I'm grateful to be up here sharing with you God's word. 00:00:11.259 --> 00:00:15.460 And if you're feeling cheated to have seen our head pastor is here and present, 00:00:15.939 --> 00:00:18.039 and I'm up here preaching, yeah, we all feel cheated. 00:00:18.039 --> 00:00:18.879 I feel cheated too. 00:00:20.359 --> 00:00:22.960 Will isn't up here preaching for us as well. 00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:28.519 And so I'm grateful for the opportunity to share God's words with you this morning, 00:00:28.519 --> 00:00:33.920 and especially on a passage that to me was really encouraging and helpful in seminary long ago. 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:38.859 Before we read our passage, I do want to make sure we think about something 00:00:38.859 --> 00:00:41.859 that I think is really crucial and important to this passage. 00:00:42.780 --> 00:00:49.780 And that is this idea of what is at this moment in your life or over the past several months and years maybe, 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:53.359 what are the things that when you look at your life, 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:58.700 the things that make you run away from Jesus? 00:00:59.960 --> 00:01:00.960 That may be foreign. 00:01:01.119 --> 00:01:04.260 I've had conversations with people before that talk about, 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:06.000 no, no, I want to run to Jesus. 00:01:06.140 --> 00:01:09.140 I don't even understand this concept of running away from Jesus. 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:14.280 But I think in our practical, real life, we run away from Jesus. 00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:18.040 It's easy for us to come to church. 00:01:18.099 --> 00:01:20.599 It's easy for me to come to church and sit in the pews. 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:25.299 It's easy for me to go about my job and do the things I'm supposed to do. 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:33.260 But I think often I want to run away, not maybe from the realities of just showing up, 00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:37.460 but I want to run away from the Jesus who provides for our every need. 00:01:37.459 --> 00:01:44.959 And that's something I wrestle with all the time because I find other things more satisfactory, 00:01:45.199 --> 00:01:53.979 more helpful, more practical, more, I was going to sound more pretty, more beautiful. 00:01:54.939 --> 00:01:59.979 Those things are the things I run to because they're convenient or they make my life easier 00:01:59.979 --> 00:02:07.079 or I become a pragmatist spiritually because it's just easier to not look to the Jesus that I need. 00:02:08.419 --> 00:02:13.139 And in this, the book of Hebrews, as we've been kind of studying, 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:15.599 this is Jesus is greater than everything. 00:02:16.739 --> 00:02:22.379 We're going to approach this reality that the readers are facing. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:23.740 Okay. 00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:31.620 So whereas you may be running away from Jesus because you're worried that people might think 00:02:31.620 --> 00:02:35.620 you're one of those crazy, overzealous, discipleship-oriented Christians. 00:02:35.620 --> 00:02:40.219 Maybe you're worried about your social status, what people may think about you at work. 00:02:40.700 --> 00:02:44.640 If you're a student, maybe it'll be what your friends think about you. 00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:49.640 Maybe if you're, you have a certain reputation, maybe you care more about what your neighbors 00:02:49.640 --> 00:02:51.379 or maybe your family. 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:53.939 Maybe you care about what your family thinks. 00:02:54.759 --> 00:02:58.379 And the readers of Hebrews face these kind of same pressures. 00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:02.699 They were running away from this Jesus that they placed their faith in. 00:03:02.979 --> 00:03:08.479 And they'd return to these kind of Jewish sacrificial customs, the religiosity of the old covenant, 00:03:08.819 --> 00:03:11.879 the sacrifices that meant so much to them. 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:16.099 And they faced this leaving Jesus for something that was lesser. 00:03:16.099 --> 00:03:17.099 Okay. 00:03:19.719 --> 00:03:25.620 And the system of, of that they were running to wasn't necessary anymore because Jesus was enough. 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:31.840 Earlier in Hebrews, the writer is, calls them even dull of hearing, right? 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:35.000 They, it's not just that like they're covering their ears. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:37.039 It's that they hear and they don't understand. 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:42.739 They, they don't want to hear what the writer is saying, right? 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:47.620 Because remember the, in the book of Hebrews, we, unknown author, we, we can try and figure it out. 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:51.519 We won't until Jesus says, hey, this is the guy who wrote Hebrews when we get to heaven. 00:03:54.099 --> 00:04:02.719 But they didn't need this system anymore because as Derek talked about last week, 00:04:02.819 --> 00:04:05.959 Jesus is the very anchor for our soul. 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:12.960 And in this priesthood of Jesus, we see that that's the anchor that we're holding fast to. 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:16.120 He pivots us from chapter six to chapter seven. 00:04:16.300 --> 00:04:18.699 We've got this very anchor, this hope for us. 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:21.220 And that is the priesthood of Jesus. 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:24.579 And that is something that we don't think about very often, often, 00:04:24.579 --> 00:04:33.079 because I don't know how many of you are often thinking about the Old Testament high priest 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:36.079 and king of Salem, Melchizedek. 00:04:36.579 --> 00:04:38.560 I'm not often thinking about him. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:41.180 I'm imagining that many of us are not. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:47.500 And so for today, I want us to hear this passage and hold fast to that. 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:52.279 And remember, because there's more said about Melchizedek in Hebrews chapter seven 00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:53.860 than there is in the entire Old Testament. 00:04:53.860 --> 00:04:59.720 And so we have to turn our eyes to this passage with very little to work from, 00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:01.139 from the Old Testament in a lot of ways. 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:06.040 But hopefully it will be helpful for us as we seek to run away from Jesus. 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:10.379 This is the writer trying to say, no, don't run away from Jesus. 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:13.080 Run to Jesus because Jesus is greater. 00:05:13.079 --> 00:05:17.240 And so I want to tell you why he is this anchor, right? 00:05:17.339 --> 00:05:21.500 Because the priesthood of Jesus is first other. 00:05:22.060 --> 00:05:25.939 And that's kind of a generic term to say he's different. 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:28.279 This priesthood of Jesus is different. 00:05:28.419 --> 00:05:29.979 So that's the first point we're going to make today. 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:35.919 The second point we're going to make today is that the priesthood of Jesus is better, right? 00:05:35.979 --> 00:05:38.539 So if you're taking notes, I left a lot of space there for notes. 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:44.819 And then the priesthood of Jesus is effective and real, okay? 00:05:45.780 --> 00:05:47.740 The priesthood of Jesus is effective and real. 00:05:47.939 --> 00:05:49.060 This is why it's our anchor. 00:05:49.280 --> 00:05:50.160 This is why it's our hope. 00:05:50.900 --> 00:05:53.439 And so these things are really important to us. 00:05:53.460 --> 00:05:57.060 So if you're taking notes, those are the three points I'm going to try and make today. 00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:01.200 So let me read to you from chapter seven. 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:06.640 And we'll, if you want to turn, could you put the page back up? 00:06:06.700 --> 00:06:07.700 What was the page? 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:10.660 1,004 in your pew Bible. 00:06:10.840 --> 00:06:12.379 If you don't have one, I'm going to read for us. 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:13.680 This is God's word. 00:06:14.080 --> 00:06:15.580 It's good for us now. 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:17.560 It will be good for us forever. 00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:19.819 So let's cling tightly to it. 00:06:20.020 --> 00:06:20.520 So let's read. 00:06:22.140 --> 00:06:25.780 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:29.720 met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. 00:06:30.180 --> 00:06:33.220 And to him, Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:37.660 He is first by translation of his name, king of righteousness. 00:06:37.660 --> 00:06:40.380 And then he is also king of Salem. 00:06:40.380 --> 00:06:41.840 That is king of peace. 00:06:42.580 --> 00:06:47.840 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, 00:06:47.880 --> 00:06:49.439 but resembling the son of God. 00:06:49.640 --> 00:06:51.320 He continues a priest forever. 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:58.260 See how great this man who was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of his spoils. 00:06:58.259 --> 00:07:02.420 And those descendants of Levi, who received the priestly office, 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:06.980 have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers. 00:07:07.539 --> 00:07:10.039 Though these also are descended from Abraham. 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:14.079 But this man, who does not have his descent from them, 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:19.259 received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:24.360 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:27.560 In the one case, tithes are received by mortal men. 00:07:28.280 --> 00:07:31.800 But in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 00:07:32.520 --> 00:07:38.000 One might even say that Levi himself, who received tithes, paid tithes through Abraham. 00:07:38.540 --> 00:07:42.060 For he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:46.460 Now, if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood, 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.620 for under it the people received the law, 00:07:48.620 --> 00:07:54.040 what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:57.060 rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 00:07:58.139 --> 00:08:02.879 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:07.000 For the one of whom these things are spoken belong to another tribe, 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:09.780 from which no one has ever served at the altar. 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:14.160 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah. 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:18.560 And in connection with that tribe, Moses said nothing about priests. 00:08:19.460 --> 00:08:24.100 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:29.740 who has become a priest not on the basis of legal requirement concerning bodily descent, 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:32.560 but by the power of an indestructible life. 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:37.800 For it is witnessed of him, you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 00:08:38.300 --> 00:08:43.160 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness, 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:45.500 for the law made nothing perfect. 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:49.959 But on the other hand, a better hope is introduced through which we draw near to God. 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:52.379 And it was not without an oath. 00:08:52.719 --> 00:08:56.799 For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath. 00:08:57.139 --> 00:09:01.719 But this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him, 00:09:02.299 --> 00:09:04.799 the Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:06.860 You are a priest forever. 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:11.799 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 00:09:11.799 --> 00:09:12.359 Amen. 00:09:13.359 --> 00:09:15.939 That last verse is so important. 00:09:16.620 --> 00:09:17.639 And so let's cling to that. 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:20.519 Let me pray for us before we talk through this passage. 00:09:21.079 --> 00:09:22.479 Father, we're grateful for your word. 00:09:22.719 --> 00:09:23.759 We're grateful for its power. 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:25.199 We're grateful that it's true. 00:09:26.039 --> 00:09:28.299 But Lord, we're grateful that it changes hearts. 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:30.139 It molds and shapes us. 00:09:30.419 --> 00:09:32.979 It moves us and sanctifies us. 00:09:33.479 --> 00:09:35.740 Would you in this moment, as we look over your word, 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:38.539 as we study Jesus and his great priesthood, 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:43.899 would you help us to run to Jesus, not run away from him, 00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:46.100 but run to the Jesus that we need. 00:09:47.180 --> 00:09:50.180 And Lord, we just pray that that would be true as we look at this, 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:55.659 that all these other things that we brought here today would leave our minds 00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:59.340 so that we might look upon Jesus and hold fast to him. 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:00.580 Lord, we love you. 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:01.580 We pray this in your name. 00:10:01.780 --> 00:10:01.980 Amen. 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:07.020 So this morning, as we think through this passage, 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:10.139 it's a long passage, I'm going to be doing some rereading here and there. 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:15.500 I want to make sure you know that I understand that this is kind of a unique passage. 00:10:16.200 --> 00:10:19.960 And our typical kind of way of doing things, for me at least, 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:23.259 I need to be a little more, I think, a teacher, 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:26.560 both to myself and to us together, on what is happening. 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:34.419 And so first, I want to make sure we understand that in the very first thing we want you to know 00:10:34.419 --> 00:10:37.279 is that this priesthood that Jesus has, 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:41.639 it is completely other than the Levitical priesthood. 00:10:41.959 --> 00:10:43.099 It is unique. 00:10:43.419 --> 00:10:44.419 It is different. 00:10:45.099 --> 00:10:49.959 And it is other than what we are maybe used to from understanding the Old Testament. 00:10:50.839 --> 00:10:55.239 And so we understand this idea of Jesus's otherness in his priesthood 00:10:55.240 --> 00:10:58.480 by looking through these first, let's say, 10 verses to start. 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:05.060 So the writer goes on to explain who Melchizedek is with a lot of detail. 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:08.279 And he goes on to say, first off, that this is, 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:10.259 I want to make sure we also understand a couple of things. 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:12.720 There's a lot of like caveats to today's sermon, by the way. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:14.659 Just, oh, this, there's this. 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:15.560 Oh, don't forget this. 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:19.600 There is a lot of controversy over who Melchizedek is 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:24.840 as far as like scholarly study and especially who he was meant to be. 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:30.800 But there's a lot, there's just a reality to wrestling who over, 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:34.360 whoever, wrestling over whoever Melchizedek was, 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:38.480 that we want to talk about something that we don't maybe always talk about, 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:42.519 but that Melchizedek is a type of Christ. 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:43.460 Okay. 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:48.100 Christ types were meant to point to the anti-type. 00:11:48.400 --> 00:11:53.180 And one of the most confusing things to me is the word anti-type feels awful and negative. 00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:55.100 And that's who they said Jesus was. 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:57.120 And I did not like that in seminary. 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:57.900 I felt weird. 00:11:58.040 --> 00:12:04.200 But what it's really saying is that all these types pointed to the real thing. 00:12:04.900 --> 00:12:06.700 So anti-type would mean the real thing. 00:12:06.800 --> 00:12:11.900 Jesus, the real Christ, the real Messiah, the real son of God, the real lamb of God. 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:16.439 All these things that we hear about Melchizedek are meant to point to the real thing. 00:12:17.439 --> 00:12:17.759 Jesus. 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:20.899 Jesus is the real priest. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:21.919 Okay. 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:29.699 And so when we look at Melchizedek, we need to see that Jesus is like Melchizedek 00:12:29.699 --> 00:12:37.639 in that he has a priesthood and a kingship that is undisputable as God's own son. 00:12:38.579 --> 00:12:40.500 And so we know that Jesus is a type of Christ. 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:44.620 So as we kind of start to work through this passage, this Melchizedek, king of Salem, 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:50.779 priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from battle and the kings, 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:51.879 and he blessed him. 00:12:52.460 --> 00:12:54.720 And to him, Abraham, a portion of 10th. 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:57.379 And then he does the exegesis for us. 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:59.639 He helps us understand it even more. 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:03.100 He said, first, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness. 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:09.000 And all the commentaries, they talk about this idea of him being named as the king of righteousness 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:13.420 importantly and intentionally because of Jesus's righteousness. 00:13:14.420 --> 00:13:14.580 Right? 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:17.820 His own perfect, holy, sinless life. 00:13:18.759 --> 00:13:22.420 So like Melchizedek, right, was called the king of righteousness. 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:24.879 He was still just a person. 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:25.940 Right? 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:31.300 His name is what gives us that idea. 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:34.020 Melchizedek means king of righteousness. 00:13:35.560 --> 00:13:40.640 And so this king of Salem, right, the priest of the most high God, 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:48.920 is intentionally being pointed to Jesus in this passage to connect Jesus to this perfect, 00:13:49.280 --> 00:13:50.160 righteous holiness. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:54.039 Jesus, the perfect, holy, sinless life. 00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:57.079 The healer of Jesus, the lamb of God without blemish. 00:13:57.799 --> 00:14:02.639 This statement of Melchizedek being the king of righteousness is meant to help us to see 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:06.579 that Jesus is the righteous and perfect king. 00:14:08.719 --> 00:14:11.919 And then he goes on to say he's the king of Salem. 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:16.439 And it brings to mind the idea of Isaiah 9, 6. 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:23.900 This idea that the Davidic ruler, the prince of peace, this Jesus is like Melchizedek 00:14:23.900 --> 00:14:27.240 in that he is the ruler who will bring peace. 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:33.940 And so in this explanation, we're starting to see, okay, he's, okay, Melchizedek was different. 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:34.880 He was the king. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:37.600 He was the priest of the most high God. 00:14:38.040 --> 00:14:40.800 And then it goes on to say that he is without genealogy. 00:14:41.380 --> 00:14:41.560 Okay? 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:46.439 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, 00:14:46.459 --> 00:14:48.959 but resembling the son of God, he continues to priest forever. 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:54.019 And all the commentaries, all the people that study this way more than I do and understand it way better, 00:14:54.079 --> 00:15:01.839 they explain it like this, that this is a way of saying that Melchizedek didn't come from the Levitical priesthood. 00:15:02.359 --> 00:15:04.339 He didn't have a genealogy. 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.699 He wasn't born of the Levites. 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:08.600 He was something completely other. 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:13.940 And yet by God's working and by God's power, he was the priest of the most high God. 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:22.379 And so Melchizedek has this unique place in the story of Abraham as the priest of the most high God. 00:15:24.040 --> 00:15:26.500 And so he's not descended from Aaron. 00:15:26.780 --> 00:15:29.200 He's not a priest of the Levitical line. 00:15:29.640 --> 00:15:31.640 He is something else. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:36.759 And therefore appointed by God with a unique and special place. 00:15:38.080 --> 00:15:41.100 And then he goes on to say, okay, so we've seen this Melchizedek. 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:43.659 Now let's see how Abraham treated him, right? 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.939 Or how Abraham was treated by him. 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:48.799 He goes, Melchizedek blessed him, right? 00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:52.600 And Abraham gave him a tenth of his spoils. 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:55.159 He tithed to Melchizedek. 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:57.199 And even Abraham. 00:15:57.319 --> 00:16:08.620 And so this argument, I start to feel like the, if you've ever seen any movie where the detective is like drawing all the pins on the court board and saying, 00:16:08.719 --> 00:16:11.620 he was here at this time and then over here and then down here. 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:23.240 I feel like we're trying to draw all those little pins and like the, you know, the detective story to get to this idea that Melchizedek's importance is beyond the Levitical importance. 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:28.200 Because he has no place from the Levitical line. 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:39.620 And even Levi, by virtue of being not even born yet, essentially through Abraham pays a tithe to Melchizedek. 00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:50.840 And so the writer is going on and on about this priest king, Melchizedek, saying that even Abraham was blessed by him. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:58.879 And it says, look, and then he goes, the inferior, it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:01.440 And so they held Abraham, right? 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:09.079 If you were a Jewish person in those days, you held Abraham, obviously, as Father Abraham, the king of the patriarchs, the top dog. 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:15.319 And yet they're saying in this one that even Melchizedek was the one who blessed Abraham. 00:17:15.419 --> 00:17:21.539 So there's this superiority or power or unique place that Melchizedek has in the story of Abraham. 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:26.439 And Jesus is like Melchizedek. 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:38.880 And so even through by virtue of Levi not even being born yet, by understanding of kind of how Jewish families treated, or Jewish people treated family realities. 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:44.640 Levi, by some unique, you know, crazy conspiracy detective. 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:52.440 Jesus or Levi paid tithe to even Melchizedek. 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:59.380 And so there's this unique and other place we're starting to put Melchizedek in this, in the story. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.840 And then you go on. 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:04.440 So he's like Melchizedek. 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.380 This is how he's like. 00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:06.420 But then he goes on. 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:08.900 He is, he's not a Levitical priest. 00:18:09.820 --> 00:18:10.000 Okay. 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:12.380 So Jesus is not like this one thing. 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:14.039 He's like this other thing. 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:25.019 And then he goes on to say, now, if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood, for under it, the people received the law, the further need would there have been for another priest. 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:26.019 He goes on. 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:29.759 He says, it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah. 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:34.940 In connection with that tribe, Moses said nothing about priests. 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:45.799 And so Jesus is this other type of priest because he is like Melchizedek and he is not like the Levitical priest by virtue of his birth, which is how you became a priest. 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:51.660 It was a singular tribe became the person who could be a part of the Levitical priesthood. 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:54.779 So you've got this otherness that Jesus is. 00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:59.700 He is completely different because he is like Melchizedek. 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:04.620 And Melchizedek was not a Levitical priest, but he was still appointed by God. 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.460 Right. 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:12.860 We know that Melchizedek in the story of Abraham, appointed by God in this place and story, very small. 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:20.440 He has this otherness that is not the way that we would understand the Old Testament Levitical law. 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:29.660 But then he starts to talk about things that make Jesus more than just not a Levitical priest. 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:48.100 He starts talking about how Jesus, by virtue of his industry, by the power of his indestructible life, he became a priest not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent by the power of an indestructible life. 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:54.500 And this is a reference to the resurrection, the reality that Jesus himself is not held down by death. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:20:03.159 So his priesthood is stamped by God by this incredible power to defeat even death. 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:15.639 And so he has this other priesthood, not because he's done, because he was born in the line of Aaron, but because he actually defeats death. 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:19.480 And so this is what we're trying to say. 00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:28.500 The way Melchizedek is not a Levitical priest and was another type of priest, Jesus is not that same type of priest. 00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:31.759 And then we see as it goes on to reference Psalm 110. 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:37.420 It says in Psalm 110, it says, my Lord said to my Lord. 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:37.900 Right. 00:20:38.280 --> 00:20:39.580 The Lord says to my Lord. 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:47.879 And it goes on to talk about this reality of that David, as he's written this, is talking about how Jesus is this other type of priest. 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:56.240 Unique, different, because he talks about it and says, you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:21:10.180 And as we look, right, as we look on in the passage, right, it was not, and it was not without an oath for those who formerly became priests in verse 20 were made such without an oath. 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:19.319 But this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him, the Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:21.819 You are a priest forever. 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:30.399 And so I'm going to admit this entire first point feels like a teaching lesson that I am trying to learn. 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:38.220 I am trying to understand that this Jesus has some sort of unique and other type of priesthood. 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:41.700 That is not like the Levitical priests. 00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:52.140 But if that's, we stop right there, if Jesus just has, has this other type of priesthood, we probably would not care. 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:54.740 It's just a different category or definition. 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:55.360 Right. 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:55.720 Maybe. 00:21:56.720 --> 00:22:09.180 Like if we ignore the words like indestructible or that God made an oath and made a covenant, a new covenant, we could just stop there and be like, it's kind of, I don't really, it doesn't really bother me. 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:11.320 But, but it goes on further. 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:14.440 We have to take this idea further than just other. 00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:28.640 Because what the people hearing this needed to hear that was like, so it's okay for us to look to a priest that's other because Father Abraham looked to a priest that was other. 00:22:29.820 --> 00:22:35.759 It is okay for us to look to Jesus because he's different than the Levitical priests. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:44.640 And you don't need to go back to those ways because Jesus is far superior in his priesthood than Melchizedek is. 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:50.379 He's far superior, as we'll see later, than the Levitical priests later on in Hebrews. 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:55.900 And so you should not run away to Jesus, run away from Jesus. 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:59.599 You should run to Jesus because he is completely other. 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:03.939 And Abraham looked to Melchizedek. 00:23:04.439 --> 00:23:10.919 And so we ought to look to Jesus because even Abraham could trust a priest that was different. 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:18.599 And so we transition that idea because we have to say, well, if he's just other, that's fine. 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.159 We stop there. 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.139 But he's more than that. 00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:23.060 There's a saying that's been around for about a decade. 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:30.420 And that's, and there's a lot of funny videos and memes and different things where it talks about people being built different. 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:31.300 Right? 00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:34.880 I'm built different is like a funny little thing that happens on the internet. 00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:37.259 Jesus is built different. 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:45.560 Jesus is not the way, not the same as the Levites because the Levites retire or pass away. 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:48.579 Jesus is a priest forever. 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:55.279 And not just that he's other, but he's better. 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:57.119 He's greater. 00:23:58.980 --> 00:24:02.919 And why do we, why do we want to, to, to, to hold fast to this? 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:06.399 Why do we want to run to the Jesus that's better than these other systems? 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:21.820 It's because of the things we've kind of already talked about a little bit here and there is that we understand that first, if we look at to the system of Levitical priests, before Levi was even born, 00:24:23.560 --> 00:24:28.940 Father Abraham was willing to give him tithes and honor Melchizedek above all else. 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:38.960 So Jesus is a better high priest and that he is like Melchizedek because even Levi, through his father Abraham, gave tithes to Melchizedek. 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:48.600 Second, it talks about how, how perfection was not attainable through the Levitical priesthood. 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:58.459 There was no holiness or righteousness apart from the one who is the true king of righteousness in Jesus. 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:07.839 There is no perfection apart from the one who was perfect and holy, the spotless lamb of God. 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:19.659 And so this priesthood of Jesus is better, not just other, not just different, but better because he himself was holy and perfect. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:23.419 And that is why we talked about this idea of his indestructible life. 00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:31.359 His indestructible life is a reminder to us that when you look at the Levitical priesthood, you understood. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:34.559 And by the way, I'm living in this moment right now. 00:25:34.959 --> 00:25:42.919 Some of the reasons why they retired priests was they became, they couldn't see up close anymore to perform that. 00:25:42.979 --> 00:25:44.839 And I am about to get some readers, y'all. 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:53.059 So the priests would be retired because they couldn't fulfill their duties or they would die. 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:59.979 They could not, they had to keep bringing new priests in. 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:10.940 And Jesus, far greater than the priesthood that comes through the line of Levi, far greater than that in that he lived an indestructible life, perfect, holy, righteous. 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:16.120 And on top of that, rose from the dead, defeating death. 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:19.400 The very thing we'll celebrate in a few weeks here at Easter. 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:27.380 Jesus shows us that his priesthood is better because he doesn't have to repeat anything. 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:30.380 His sacrifice was enough. 00:26:32.300 --> 00:26:34.960 His perfect, holy life was enough. 00:26:35.060 --> 00:26:39.140 And so his priesthood was better because it lasts forever. 00:26:39.780 --> 00:26:45.980 By virtue of God's oath and promise to him that we see repeated in this passage from Psalm 110. 00:26:46.560 --> 00:26:48.860 You are a priest forever. 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:55.079 After the order of Melchizedek, the Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. 00:26:55.199 --> 00:26:56.740 You are a priest forever. 00:26:57.259 --> 00:27:05.259 We see that the writer of Hebrews is trying to help us understand Jesus's life, death, resurrection, and his ascension into heaven. 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:10.519 And his rule on the throne next to God the Father is one that lasts forever. 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:16.059 And so you and I, we run away from this Jesus. 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:18.039 These people are running away from Jesus. 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:22.519 And they have, we often in the moment, we fail to see that Jesus is better. 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:25.200 Jesus is better than my circumstances. 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:29.059 Jesus is better than the failed outcome that I really wanted. 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:31.440 I really thought my life was going to be this way. 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:44.140 Whatever heartache, heartbreak you're feeling, whatever pain at your job, pain in your family, Jesus transcends and is better than anything. 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:47.279 We run away from Jesus because we've got to find our way. 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.340 We've got to solve our problems. 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.220 We've got to fix it ourselves. 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:57.200 Jesus is greater and better and a greater and better high priest than we could ever imagine because he lasts. 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.680 He is eternal. 00:27:58.680 --> 00:28:09.220 And his sacrifice for me and for you is not one that just is something we look to in the past, but something we live in every day and will live in forever. 00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:12.500 Because he lives forever. 00:28:14.840 --> 00:28:24.380 And so Jesus being a priesthood, having a priesthood that is better, we can actually draw near to God, right? 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:33.100 If you look at verse 19, this is something that I appreciate for the law, but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced through which we draw near to God. 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:42.859 And if you think about what Derek preached about last week in chapter 6, about how Jesus is the kind of priest that can go into the Holy of Holies behind the curtain in chapter 6. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:50.059 The one who draws us near to him, we are able to draw near to God. 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:53.000 That's why it's so much better. 00:28:53.000 --> 00:29:22.980 That's why it's so much better. 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:35.059 And so we're able to draw near to God because our hope is not found in anything tangible in this world. 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:39.779 Our hope is found on this sure anchor, our priest, Jesus. 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:45.740 And so it's a better priesthood. 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:50.779 And here's what's so great about it. 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:55.140 It's more than just better. 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:59.920 That's terms I can use pretty easily to just kind of nonchalantly talk about it. 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:06.140 But the priesthood of Jesus is more than better for us. 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:08.140 It's effective and real. 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:14.240 We are not going through the motions when we show up to church. 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:20.720 We are not just doing something out of tradition. 00:30:23.560 --> 00:30:27.220 God, in his power, raised Jesus from the dead. 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:32.600 The son of God did not stay in the grave. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.440 He rose. 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:38.559 And by virtue of his resurrection, we can know life and life eternal. 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:42.000 By his death, he has paid the penalty. 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:48.640 And so his priesthood is not just good or better or great. 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:55.860 It is effective and it is real and it works in and through us every day that we live our lives in Christ. 00:30:58.120 --> 00:31:02.040 I think the last verse helps us to understand that. 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:06.580 And this is really interesting. 00:31:07.060 --> 00:31:10.700 It says this makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:22.539 Jesus, the one who has been promised by God's oath, not from the Levitical priesthood, none of them got an oath, not a promise. 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:27.279 But God by his oath says that his servant will be a priest forever. 00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:37.620 And so therefore, a priest who is on our behalf, going before God, he is the only one who is truly effective. 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:43.500 And then this idea that he said that Jesus is the guarantor. 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:47.799 And another way of saying is Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant. 00:31:48.459 --> 00:31:56.459 And in this context, in this word, in the Greek, it's often used in settings that guarantee the debts of the other so they pay what is owed. 00:31:56.599 --> 00:32:00.639 And so that Jesus is the, whatever debt is paid, it will be paid through Jesus. 00:32:02.419 --> 00:32:03.879 Jesus is that guarantee. 00:32:03.880 --> 00:32:16.500 Not me, not my behavior, not my outcomes, not my kindness, not my niceness, not how many times I sit in the pews, not how many times I show up and do good things. 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:19.760 Jesus is the guarantee. 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:29.460 And that's really important for us because our efforts and the efforts of the Levitical priest would be ineffective compared to how powerful Jesus is. 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:34.279 This is why the writer is trying to downplay this stuff. 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:44.900 So they would not run to those things, those behaviors that felt normal to them, but they would run to the Jesus who is the one who's a guarantee for their hope. 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:51.440 Because he is the only one who could be, because he has lived the indestructible life. 00:32:53.240 --> 00:33:01.680 And this idea of a better covenant, his promises, the new covenant through his body and blood, this new covenant in Christ that secures for all time his people. 00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:02.600 Right? 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:05.240 And this is what's stark. 00:33:05.819 --> 00:33:17.059 If you're reading this, if you're a person who does this kind of stuff like we do, like pastors do, this is the first time the word covenant is used in Hebrew and are in Hebrews. 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:19.159 This is the first time we hear it. 00:33:19.219 --> 00:33:26.199 And so suddenly we're, now we're shifting to the idea of the new covenant in a sense without, now we finally said it. 00:33:26.200 --> 00:33:35.299 The promises that Jesus, by his body and blood, establishes this new covenant for all time for his people. 00:33:36.620 --> 00:33:40.819 And it is not because of something we've done. 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:43.220 It is because of who God is. 00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:45.380 He is a God of covenants. 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:48.460 He is a God who keeps his promises. 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:54.279 It is part of his character for him to keep his promises to you and me. 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:57.079 Do not run away from Jesus. 00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:59.839 Run to the one who keeps his promises. 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:05.279 And I want to kind of finish up with this. 00:34:05.399 --> 00:34:11.880 If this is a new understanding to you, like if this is something, like I know this is not something very Presbyterian of us to do. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:21.300 But, like if this is a new understanding of who Jesus is, that Jesus is far better than anything else, that his covenant is the only covenant that lasts. 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:31.300 It's that he is the only one who can actually do the things that the priesthood was intended to do, but could not do because Jesus was the one who could do these things. 00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:31.800 Right? 00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:51.539 If you've made it to church today and you've had to listen to me talk about an obscure Old Testament character in Melchizedek, I want to make sure you know that the promises of God, the character of God through his son Jesus are the only things that we want you to run to. 00:34:51.539 --> 00:35:02.039 We want you to run to this Jesus because he is the only one who can secure for us, for me, for all of us, our place with God forever. 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:08.340 And if you're a Christian, ultimately, it's been the same application in all sermon. 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:12.179 Run to Jesus because he is far better. 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:20.159 Cling to Jesus because he is far better than anything else in this world that you could even try and grab a hold of. 00:35:20.159 --> 00:35:27.239 Cling tightly to him because he secures it, not by virtue of anything other than his godness. 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:33.199 He is the very son of God who has, by virtue of his father, made this new covenant with his people. 00:35:33.359 --> 00:35:37.440 And he keeps his promises so you and I can be secure forever. 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:57.700 And we can know life and forgiveness and family and love and grace and mercy because of this covenant promise that through Jesus is kept forever for his people. 00:35:57.699 --> 00:36:03.359 This anchor that Derek spoke about last week. 00:36:04.219 --> 00:36:06.319 This hope is this new covenant. 00:36:07.859 --> 00:36:11.359 His promises kept forever for his people. 00:36:12.699 --> 00:36:18.259 That through faith by his body and his blood, we are forgiven. 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:20.080 We are adopted. 00:36:20.660 --> 00:36:25.920 We are made God's special possession forever. 00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:32.220 And so it's not just enough for us to see that Jesus is this other type of priest. 00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:44.079 It's not just that it's a better system of belief that we hold to and cling to because it's better than the Levitical system. 00:36:44.220 --> 00:36:45.360 It's that it is real. 00:36:45.360 --> 00:36:51.360 And God is at work in and amongst his people even now today. 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:59.960 And it's because of the blood of Christ that we're able to even know the God of the universe. 00:37:01.640 --> 00:37:04.380 That's what this table is about here today. 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:12.960 As we step into celebrating the Lord's Supper, this meal is a reminder of that new covenant. 00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:20.340 This meal that we're going to celebrate points us to the great priesthood of Jesus. 00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:25.699 He initiated this with his people. 00:37:26.559 --> 00:37:36.019 And this table is one of the things that the Lord gives to us to remind us of his greatness, of us needing to run to him. 00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:38.420 And so this table is a reminder. 00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:49.079 It's a lighthouse, a beacon pointing us that we need to run to Jesus because only his blood, only his sacrifice is sufficient for us. 00:37:50.579 --> 00:37:54.280 He's the great high priest who did more than his priestly duties. 00:37:54.519 --> 00:37:56.579 He gave his life to be the sacrifice. 00:37:56.579 --> 00:38:07.960 And so no matter what we're facing, no matter what is causing us to run away, run to Jesus today through this table. 00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:15.759 Cling tightly to him because this sacrament, I'm going to do a little bit of reading to you just to remind you. 00:38:15.799 --> 00:38:19.699 I need to remind myself of what this table is for. 00:38:19.699 --> 00:38:22.960 This is a sacrament that Jesus gave to us. 00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:27.899 It is a wonderful and beautiful, but at the same time, serious thing. 00:38:29.119 --> 00:38:35.599 This is a meal that we observe in remembrance of Christ that reminds us and shows forth his death till he comes again. 00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:40.799 It's more than that because it's a means of grace and God is at work in it. 00:38:40.800 --> 00:38:44.860 So that means we experience and know God through it. 00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:51.320 And for the Christian, it strengthens and encourages us when we struggle against sin and trouble. 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:54.580 It moves us towards one another. 00:38:55.180 --> 00:39:00.019 You could easily look around and see other people in this room and go, this is supposed to move me to you. 00:39:00.580 --> 00:39:05.920 As we serve one another, it gives us this encouragement and strength with love and zeal. 00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:08.060 It grows our faith. 00:39:08.059 --> 00:39:11.719 It sharpens and sanctifies us in our holiness. 00:39:12.920 --> 00:39:15.639 It gives us peace of conscience. 00:39:16.179 --> 00:39:20.659 And it reminds us of the great hope, the anchor of our soul, Jesus. 00:39:22.860 --> 00:39:32.420 This table is a picture of God's gracious and beautiful love for us poured out through the great high priest, Jesus. 00:39:32.420 --> 00:39:35.480 And we draw near to God, right? 00:39:35.800 --> 00:39:40.320 Because Jesus, who's gone to the Holy of Holies, we can draw near to God. 00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:45.980 This table is a table of welcome for all of God's people, his family. 00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:54.500 And so if you are a believer, if you've placed your faith in Christ, this table is for you. 00:39:54.619 --> 00:39:55.780 It's not for the PCA. 00:39:56.079 --> 00:39:57.579 It's not our denominations table. 00:39:57.780 --> 00:40:00.460 It's not Southwest table. 00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:14.820 It is the Lord's table for all of you who possess true faith in Christ, who are members of a church in good standing and in a gospel-believing church, who believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who cling tightly to his word. 00:40:14.820 --> 00:40:22.860 Whether you're a children or an adult, those who profess faith in Christ, this table is for you. 00:40:23.539 --> 00:40:26.460 And so God wants you to come join him here. 00:40:27.840 --> 00:40:33.920 But if you have not yet placed your faith in Christ, we would ask that you would pass on coming forward to take the elements. 00:40:34.440 --> 00:40:38.420 Maybe meditate and contemplate on the truth of who Jesus is and what we've talked about today. 00:40:40.720 --> 00:40:42.100 And what this meal means. 00:40:42.099 --> 00:40:49.839 But if you would like us, if you don't yet believe and you'd like us to pray for you, there's elders at every station who would love to pray for you. 00:40:51.159 --> 00:40:57.259 There'll be gluten-free options here in the center aisle, both in the back and the front. 00:40:58.960 --> 00:41:00.400 And we'd love for you to join us. 00:41:00.420 --> 00:41:01.360 So let me pray. 00:41:02.380 --> 00:41:05.719 And then I'll get us started. 00:41:06.420 --> 00:41:09.759 Lord, may these common elements be used for a holy purpose. 00:41:09.760 --> 00:41:19.740 And may we see a clear picture of our reliance on you so that in our lives we may reflect on that, strengthen, encourage us, and help us in this meal as we partake. 00:41:20.920 --> 00:41:21.320 Amen. 00:41:21.320 --> 00:41:29.820 On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he took bread and he broke it and he said, this is my body broken for you. 00:41:30.559 --> 00:41:31.820 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:41:31.900 --> 00:41:37.019 And in the same way, he took the cup and said, this cup is the cup of the new covenant in my blood. 00:41:37.220 --> 00:41:40.120 Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me. 00:41:40.119 --> 00:41:46.480 For whenever you eat this bread or drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again. 00:41:47.480 --> 00:41:54.039 And so this meal is celebrated by those who love the Lord Jesus and who need the Lord Jesus. 00:41:54.480 --> 00:41:56.819 So the ushers will come and dismiss you down. 00:41:57.139 --> 00:42:00.880 And let me pray for us one more time. 00:42:01.359 --> 00:42:05.119 Father, we're so thankful for this meal that you give to us. 00:42:05.119 --> 00:42:08.839 May it strengthen and encourage us by your word. 00:42:09.519 --> 00:42:16.779 You give it to us so that we might know you more deeply and we might see a clearer picture of Jesus and what he's done for us. 00:42:17.359 --> 00:42:20.779 We pray that would encourage us today in Jesus' name. 00:42:21.239 --> 00:42:21.480 Amen. 00:42:21.480 --> 00:42:21.619 Amen.