Prepare for Christmas: The Thirtheenth Day of Advent

And Who Is Melchizedek?

Friday, December 14, 2018

We have much to say to you about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still and infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14

This is not a Scripture I often choose to speak to someone, but since it falls right here in the middle of this wonderful part explaining more and more to us about the importance of who the Christmas baby is, I can’t just pass it by. Why would I skip this when writing to good Christians in a good church? Because the Scripture is practically shouting to us to grow up and that is a difficult message to bring! The Bible tells us to know the word and to hide it in our hearts (to memorize it), to study so we’ll know the truth (not just reading along with the pastor on Sunday morning, but digging in on our own), and to identify sin and deal with it in private confession.

God is clearly saying milk is for babies. Be adults! Live on a diet of steak! The Bible is filled with incredible truth about the incredible God we serve – about who he is as creator, as redeemer, as giver of power and comfort. He wants us not to just worship the baby Jesus but to know and to worship our Triune God. And we will never be able to do that until we get into his word in a serious way, dig deeply for ourselves to find the treasures he has stored for us there.

He says in verse 11 we are “slow to learn,” and I often reply sadly, “I am indeed a slow learner.”

Prayer: Father, as we neglect your word, help us to realize that we are neglecting you, starving ourselves and stunting our growth. Forgive us for our negligence. Help us to grow up in our understanding of you through your word! Amen

And Who is Melchizedek?

An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for Rehobeth United Methodist Church, Winter 2012,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator

messiahcob.com