Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” Matthew 8:13.

They said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” Exodus 20:19.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6.

Have you ever considered how truly noisy our world is? The constant noise without, the noise of others opinions, and even the noise our own unceasing thoughts? It’s good to stop. Listen. Let your own thoughts settle into a quiet stillness that can hear what is truly important. In the beautiful space of that quiet let your heart be open to God and His love for you. In our chapter, Hebrews 7, we learn more about Melchizedek. For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. v. 1-3. This is no human being described. Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever’”); so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

Just a few chapters later the writer of Hebrews affirms that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). And in chapter 11, that Abraham by faith was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:8, 10). Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, is doing a work that is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. You can almost see Abraham meeting the Word who many centuries later became flesh to dwell among the descendants of Abraham. Abraham met his Maker and the impact of that was profound and enabled Abraham to see. The children of Israel shied away from listening to God. Do we? There is such a beautiful continuity in what Creator God is doing. And as we allow ourselves to slow down and quiet the noise and listen, the quiet rhythms of nature and our own thoughts grown still invite connection with our God who loves us still and is working for our good with Him always. Continuity. A better hope, through which we draw near to God…Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant…because He continues forever and holds His priesthood permanently…A Son made perfect forever. And the beautiful reality is that as we draw near to God in stillness and quiet trust, there is a peace that comes in trusting Him. Abraham knew that peace in trusting the Word he met. The centurion recognized and understood the authority Jesus the Son held. So can we.