If it weren't for the references in Hebrews 5, 6 & 7, most of us would not give much attention to Melchizedek. We'd just be glad it wasn't our turn to read scripture when his name came up. There are two Old Testament passages that mention the ancient priest-king. Psalm 110 first mentions his perpetual priesthood--whatever that means. Genesis 14 offers a brief interaction between Melchizedek, Abram and the king of Sodom. From this story, chances are, you may come away with more questions than answers about who he was.

We do know what his name meant. Melchizedek means "king of righteousness." In this encounter we get a glimpse of the righteousness he upheld. He blessed Abram and gave God praise for Abram's important victory. Now, what do we know of the king of Sodom? For our reflection today, we only need to recall Sodom's reputation.

Both kings have approached Abram after his defeat of an opposing king. Both have something to offer.


Melchizedek offers a blessing. Sodom's king offers a, seemingly, okay deal. But Abram can already tell it may come with unwanted consequences. Abram doesn't accept the king's offer, but he does give one tenth of everything to Melchizedek. Abram could have left with more riches by taking the king's offer. He chose, however, to offer to God a literal tithe.

Abram's choice reminds me of what Jesus chose in his desert temptation. The choice was between two kingdoms. The enemy's kingdom came with a quick promise--a kind of sweet deal. God's kingdom came through suffering. But Jesus knew choosing God's kingdom was the only way he would be able to give God glory. Abram knew the same thing.

Do we? We all have choices to make in life. Often, we don't always recognize the kingdom consequences of our choices. The ease of better deals can seem appealing--too good to be true.

Abram recognized Melchizedek's service to God. He offered the enigmatic priest something of himself in return. May God give us faith and the righteousness necessary to offer God our best in service to God's kingdom.

Stay blessed...john

Recently, I watched a presentation by Reverend Candace Lewis. She shared something at the Leadership Institute at Church of the Resurrection I've been reflecting on since.

It's taken a while, but one lesson has come across enough in local church ministry that it's easier to talk about. More of us can now distinguish between ministry to someone and ministry with someone. To someone is a service. Now, it may be a necessary and beneficial service. To someone can quickly meet needs and provide relief. Our perspective changes, though, when with replaces to. With someone ensures dignity and compassion. It also nurtures relationships and fosters greater community. It's also a reminder we're all in this world with each other, with God.

Dr. Lewis presented a third option.

She asked listeners if their churches were simply "in" their neighborhood or community. To-someone ministry is helpful. With-someone ministry is relational. Simply in isn't much of ministry at all. It's isolated. In fact, in churches often prefer their isolation. It keeps strangers, maybe some of "those" people, away. Being a church in a community allows for things to stay the way they've been.

That's a silly notion, by the way. As a local congregation continues to deteriorate, how can we say things are the same? A church that has lost most of its people and resources cannot be the same that it was before.



I'm grateful the churches I've served have never been merely "in" their neighborhoods. Sometimes, the needle wanted to bend that way. Thankfully, God's Spirit moved us in a different direction.

In churches remind me of the rich man in Jesus' parable. He lived in the same place as Lazarus. But they lived completely different lives. In the parable, the man learns of a chasm between he and Lazarus in the afterlife. But there was already a dividing line that kept them separated in their life together. The rich man, probably, was okay just being in around Lazarus. It didn't require much of anything from him. 

Imagine what might have been different if he was with him. What would've been difference for Lazarus? For the rich man? For his family?

Now imagine how God would bless your church as you seek to be more with one another.

Stay blessed...john

A few weeks ago I preached a sermon based on Mark 9. Jesus said if your hand, foot or eye causes you to sin, cut it off. I told the congregation to consider what body parts they'd be left with if they had to cut off what made them sin. After worship, someone jokingly confessed they'd never speak again. They would have had to cut off their tongue.

I imagine that's true for a lot of us.

What is it about putting our foot in our mouth that is so common? We all say things we don't really mean. Words pour out that we didn't even know we were thinking. The maturing among us learn to acknowledge when that happens. We own up to what we've said and how it came across. Some stick to blaming others for taking things the wrong way.

We aren't given a specific circumstance behind the words of Psalm 39. The psalm's title says it's merely a psalm of David. Some have suggested the psalm relates to his experience with Bathsheba. Others suggest David is an older man reflecting on past experiences. We don't know what experience he had, but we know we can relate.

Listen to his opening words: I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will keep a muzzle on my mouth (Psalm 39:1).

A muzzle might come in handy sometimes, wouldn't you say?

Of course, there is no restraining device we can rely on. Instead, we have to look to God for that help. We ask the Lord for the strength to "not sin with my tongue." And this is where we're praying for the fruit of the Spirit to take root in our hearts. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control all have a way to prevent us from having to cut out our tongues.

Stay blessed...john

Based on its etymology, you can say part of what it means to be arrogant is to be overbearing. An arrogant person can overwhelm others with their haughty attitudes and self aggrandizing. It can be much to listen to someone go on and on about how good they are, especially in relation to other people. To add injury to insult, arrogant people may rely on their lowly opinions of others to excuse or dismiss inappropriate behavior.

It's easy to mock someone you already think less of. Spend your time thinking too much of yourself and you're bound to belittle the people around you.

One word to associate with the message of the book of Obadiah is arrogance. Edom had been arrogant in their relation to Israel (even God). Edom refused to help Israel in their desert wandering (Numbers 20). One could, perhaps, chalk that up to sibling and tribal rivalry. But Obadiah's vision also includes other reminders. Edom joined Israel's enemies and even "gloated" over Israel's misfortune (Obadiah 12). Why this overbearing attitude and rejection of their brothers?

God already told them. "Your proud heart has deceived you" (3). Their lofty homes and, supposed, security fooled them. Who they were and what they believed about themselves comes out in their question, "Who will bring me down to the ground?" God was ready to.



What a reminder about our feelings. What you feel in your heart may be just that. Often, though, what you feel has a way of seeping through your life in ways you may not recognize yourself. Oh, but others see it. God certainly does. An arrogant heart has an uncanny way of dismissing the needs of others. Every man for himself, after all. But Edom's overbearing arrogance reminds us God cares about what is in our heart and how we care for others as a result.

Stay blessed...john

Preachers love GPS illustrations. Since those devices became wildly accessible, countless sermons have included them. Messages about directions of life, turn arounds, recalculating and even listening to the GPS voice. The illustration has navigated itself to almost cliché status.

So, here's my take on the GPS illustration.

When I attended seminary I also served a student appointment. That meant a full time school schedule and a (wink, wink) part time pastor's schedule. To say the least, if I wasn't at school, I was at church. And if I wasn't at church, I was at school. Consequently, in my four years in the DFW metroplex, I never got comfortable with the area, only my everyday route. I just wanted the GPS to take me where I wanted. 

I forget where streets end up and what neighborhoods are where. If I traveled on my own, I'd be lost without the GPS device.

If the Bible is God's GPS, that sounds like a good thing to say about it. In one sense, it is. But I used the GPS incorrectly. In actuality, the GPS was a crutch. It kept me from truly knowing my way around. I only went where that machine voice told me to go. As a result, I missed so much of what makes those communities what they are.

Moses was leading God's people to a land they hadn't known. They would need to find their way around so they could "live long" in this unknown place. And God's commands would guide them to their new life. But not as a crutch. They had already learned something about their communion with God. "We have seen this day that God may speak to someone and the person may still live" (Deuteronomy 5:24). Now, the Lord's wisdom would show them how to flourish in their new home.



Likewise, God's word isn't some banal voice telling us where to go in the fastest time. It doesn't keep us from living life. But it's possible to read it that way. To just read it. To only go where we want and simply take a Bible with us. Thankfully, there's a better way to hear God.

Through the Spirit's inspiration, we can truly hear God leading our lives through this beautiful world to a newness and holiness we couldn't know otherwise. 

Stay blessed...john