Jesus Came to Transcend Man’s Expectations (Advent 15, 2024)

We’ve now arrived at Visitation Principle 15:
Jesus Came to Transcend the Expectations of Men
in our look at the Letter to the Hebrews.

On one hand, expectations can be good. They show a predictive functioning of one’s brain to analyze data and create theories about what comes next. The amount of data pointing in the same direction can lead to an expectation that is highly probable, almost 100% certain. We expect the sun to rise every day. Perfectly reasonable!

On the other hand, however, expectations can limit us. When we assume that our way is the only way or that our judgment is perfect, we can feel let down when our expectations are not met.

If we could completely figure God out or anticipate His every move, wouldn’t that diminish God and elevate ourselves? Therefore, God doesn’t do things our way, or in the ways we might predict as a way of demonstrating that He is God.

Today’s passage is like that: “For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 7:14-17)

First, let me say, this author who is mysteriously unknown was obviously a scholar and a thinker.

Melchizedek’s name appears only twice in the Old Testament. The first is in Genesis 14:18 “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

It also occurs in Psalm 110 (see below) in which Israel expects a King-Priest who will rule and judge.

The author of Hebrews applies this King-Priest to Jesus who is the appointed (not inherited) Great High Priest and the King of Kings inheriting the Davidic Kingdom eternally.

Questions for further thought:

Read Psalm 110:1 Of David. A psalm. The LORD says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” 2 The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” 3 Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning’s womb. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.”

How do you know this is talking about Jesus?

Other high priests inherited their position and due to their own sin, they had to offer sacrifices first for themselves and then for the people. How did Jesus become a priest forever? Think about how he didn’t inherit sin or nor was He limited by His own mortality? Why did death have no hold on Jesus so He could bring His priesthood to conclusion in His ascension, presenting the perfect sacrifice to God?

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that You didn’t settle for the low bar of our expectations but that You exceed everything we could imagine or reason about You. Thank You that heaven is like that, too. We have no idea, indeed, “no eye has seen…no ear has heard, … no human mind has conceived”– the wondrous things You have prepared for those of us who love You and have been called according to Your purposes. We wait with eager anticipation for the revealing of that day when You return in glory and the earth marvels. We praise You and give You all the glory. Amen.

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Acknowledging inquiries about an entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:

“From the Jews for the World” was the theme of last Advent’s devotional series. It is archived beginning December 3, 2023, and explored how Jesus’ Jewish heritage was necessary for the salvation of Gentiles, too.
“Awaken Remnant” was the devotional topic for 2022. It began November 27, 2022, and highlighted the remnant found throughout Scripture as evident in Jesus’ lineage.
The multi-faceted Interlude between the promise of a Deliverer and the birth of our Messiah and King was the theme of 2021’s devotional series. It is archived beginning November 28, 2021.
2020’s Devotional Series Divine Intervention began on November 29, 2020 and explored God’s activity on behalf of a hurting world and nations in tumult– Intervention for you and for me when our status as sinners required nothing short of a miracle.
God’s Christmas list explored what might be on God’s Christmas list, learning what He wants from us. It began December 1, 2019.
Storyteller began December 2, 2018 and entered into the Christmas story through its telling.
The 2017 series Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times. Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence. His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology. They began November 29, 2015.
Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols. You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives. They began November 30, 2014.
The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John. It began December 1, 2013.
The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story. It began December 1, 2012.