CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 13 Who Do You Want Reading Your Images? When it comes to bones and joints, trust Valley Radiology. Our team of Board Certified radiologists includes fellowship-trained specialists with subspecialty expertise in musculoskeletal imaging. We offer advanced imaging for abnormalities of the bones, joints and supporting muscle/tissues including trauma, arthritis, sports injuries and other orthopaedic conditions - and we perform image-guided spine and joint injections for pain management. Valley Radiology is committed to patient-centered care and exceptional service for referring physicians. Compassionate Care, Quality Imaging 3186 Village Dr., Suite 201 • Fayetteville • ValleyRadiologyNC.com 910.486.5700 From this evidence, it is clear that Melchizedek represents Jesus Christ. He is a foreshadow and picture of the Messiah that was coming. But what about Melchizedek's of- fering of bread and wine? is was very unusual in the con- text of the Old Testament. Sacrifices usually involved the slaughter of ani- mals. But this sacrificial offering was bloodless. And unique. Sacrifices were meant to appeal to God for the forgiveness of sins. Such rituals were a plea for mercy. Just as the ancient Prince of Peace offered bread and wine as a testimony to God's forgiveness, so the New Testa- ment Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, offered bread and wine as a new cov- enant in his own blood—blood shed for the forgiveness of sin. One of the key features of the bread and wine offered by Christians everywhere is that it is forward look- ing, because it anticipates the com- ing of Christ at the end of age. So too, was Melchizedek's offering of bread and wine—for, immediately aer this remarkable offering to God, the Lord says "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your re- ward will be great." (Genesis 15:1) God went on to promise Abram a future saturated with greatness and reward. In the same way, Christians everywhere understand the bread and wine of the Eucharist to be a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits God's people. And so all the evidence points to Melchizedek as being a great picture of what Christ was to be like: a King of Peace, Son of God, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, timeless and always offering blessing to his people. And his of- fering of bread and wine, everyday food and drink, was a clear foretaste of the Sacrament Christ would estab- lish centuries later. Once again, God takes the ordinary and makes it spe- cial. e bread and wine that fills our stomach also feeds our spirit. CV Bob Hackendorf is the Pastor of the Church of the Apostles in Hope Mills, NC

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