November 28, 2013
MELCHIZ-A-WHO?
Hebrews 7:1-22
Mark Mason
Central Truth
Jesus Christ is the ultimate priest.
Key Verse | Hebrews 7:22
[S]o much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. (Hebrews 7:22)
Hebrews 7:1-22
The Priestly Order of Melchizedek
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, 1 7:5 Or brothers and sisters though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
Jesus Compared to Melchizedek
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”
22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 7:1-22
I love some of the Old Testament characters and names like Ehud and Nimrod, although my wife voted these down for our boys' names. One of my favorite characters is Melchizedek. This obscure character shows up in Genesis 14:17-20. Abraham is returning from a battle where he defeated some kings and rescued Lot. Melchizedek appears with bread and wine (which makes me think of the Lord's Supper and covenant renewal). He blesses Abraham, and then Abraham gives him a tenth of everything.
So now in Hebrews, the writer reminds us of this prototype of Jesus. There are many interesting similarities between Jesus and Melchizedek:
• Both are called King or Prince of Peace (Hebrews 7:2 and Isaiah 9:6).
• Both are called priests of the Most High God (Hebrews 7:1 and 7:17).
• Both are without the "proper" genealogy (Hebrews 7:3, 7:5, and 7:11-14).
• And both of them live forever (Hebrews 7:3, 7:16, 7:17, and 7:21).
In the last half of our reading for today, the focus shifts to Jesus. Can you see the writer making the case for Jesus? He is our priest forever. This priest has brought a change of law (grace or a "better hope" in verse 19). He became the sacrificial lamb and is also the Lion of Judah. Jesus Christ is the ultimate priest.
In my walk with the Lord, I struggle with control issues. This can lead to anger, anxiety, and depression. It is only when I concentrate on Jesus, my shepherd, my high priest, that my fears subside. I always must remember that Jesus is in control. He is the guarantee of a better covenant. I can place my trust fully in Him!
Discussion Questions
1. What other characters in the Bible are a "prototype" of Jesus?
2. Do you trust Jesus to be everything that you need?
3. How will you live differently today knowing that Jesus is in control and has been given all authority?