Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Heb 7:1 and following. Indeed, the author of the epistle had much to say about Melchizedek (Hb 5:5-11). This mysterious character runs through the story of Abraham (Gen 14:17-20), acting as a mediator, blessing Abraham on behalf of the Most High God, and then blessing this Most High God on behalf of the patriarch. On the other hand, everything about his person and his origins is left in the shadows. And we understand why. For that interests the Spirit of God, it’s not man here, but his office. King and priest, Melchizedek is a “type” of the Lord Jesus when he reigns in righteousness and is a priest on his throne. The priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek is in every way superior to that of Aaron: first, ifone titular is more excellent than Abraham, since this patriarch gave tithes to Melchizedek and was blessed by him. Secondly,in the history of Israel, it is exercised not only for the benefit of this people, but of every believer. And finally, itis finally intransmittable, since the one in charge of it is still alive (Rom 8:31-37).
Thus, the author enters into the blessed and glorious subject of the priesthood of Christ, which he will contrast with that of Aaron or Levi, to show its immense superiority. To make it clear, as he has already made it seem, he takes as a type of the priesthood of Christ that of Melchizedek, about whom he had much to say. This priesthood, quite apart from that of Aaron, which was instituted only much later, offers features such that it represents exactly that of Christ, and this to the point that many mistakenly believed that in Melchizedek more than a man. We see this remarkable character suddenly appear, in the account of the 14th chapter of Genesis, and disappear in the same way, without any more mention of him historically, in all the rest of the Scriptures.
Melchizedek was king of Salem, the place that later bore the name of Jerusalem (Ps. 76:3). But his name means “king of justice” and, as Salem means “peace”, he was also “king of peace”. But moreover, he was a priest of the Most High God; this name of Most High is given to God when it comes to the millennialreign: “the Most High God, possessor of the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 14:18-20), as he is frequently found in the Psalms that relate to that time. Melchizedek, king and priest, is therefore the type of the Lord when, having established his kingdom on earth, he will reign in righteousness, he, the Prince of peace, and the work of justice will be peace (Isaiah 32:1, 17; Isaiah 9:6), and that he will be a priest on his throne (Zac 6:13). The first verse of our chapter recalls when Melchizedek came before Abraham. It is when he “returned from the defeat of kings,” and this also implies the coming day of the manifestation of Christ, when he will have subjugated the kings of the earth and established his reign of justice and peace.
To put it in passing, we can notice that the expressions “went before Abraham,” and those of Genesis “brought bread and wine,” relate to the present character of Christ’s priesthood for us, that is, his preventive care and the help we find in him at the right time. “Without father, without mother,” it is said of Melchizedek, that is, without any kinship from which he drew his priesthood; “without genealogy,” in contrast to Aaron’s children who, in order to legitimize their right to the priesthood, had to prove their offspring (Ezra 2:62). “Having neither the beginning of days nor the end of life, without a limit being assigned to his priesthood, as was the case for the sons of Aaron, because he appears and disappears without any question of his birth or death. So we see him only alive: his priesthood remains in perpetuity. And this is how he vividly represents the perpetual, intransmittable priesthood of the Lord. So it is said: “Assimilated to the Son of God”, similar to the Son of God, not in his person, but in his office as a priest. Only the priesthood of Christ is now exercised in heaven.
Then let us notice the expression: “Those who approach God through him”. It is a class of person that is so characterized. It is the believers, those who are saved, those who benefit from the work done by Christ. It is through him that they possess that favor that neither the law nor the Jewish sacrifices could give them: they draw near to God. Let us now see the privilege that results for them from the intransmittable, perpetual priesthood of Christ. It is that he can save them entirely, or until completion. We are saved perfectly, that is, washed of our sins and freed from judgment, by the work done on the cross. But we still have the race through the desert with its dangers and labors. Through everything and until everything is completed, He saves us, delivers us and guarantees us. And under what? It is that he is still alive, living in perpetuity, of a life that nothing interrupts in his activity, and that in this life he intercedes for us. It is therefore to his constant intercession that we owe it to be saved until the completion of the race. Just as moses once raising his hands supported by Aaron and Hur in intercession to the Lord (Ex. 17) gave Israel a complete victory over his enemies, so Jesus still alive, makes us triumph over all the obstacles that would stop our course.
A new argument is given to us, which further establishes by contrast the supreme excellence of christ’s priesthood over that of Aaron: The high priests taken from among men were in infirmity, like those for whom they were established. They were sinful men who had to offer sacrifices, first for their own sins, then for those of the people, and for this they entered an earthly tabernacle whose entry was forbidden to the people. But we, saved by the sacrifice of Christ who offered himself once and for all, approach God in the heavenly sanctuary, where nothing impure, nor defiled, can enter, our place is there; we were sinners, but saved, we are saints. As such, it was appropriate for us to have a high priest as required by the glory and purity of heaven – holy, innocent, defilely, separated from sinners – to have him where we are called to enter: raised higher than heaven, in the presence of God. Being thus clothed with this character of holiness, he did not have to offer a sacrifice for himself: he offered himself for us. And this sacrifice being perfect, has nothing to be renewed. Its effectiveness remains, and we remain before God, where this one sacrifice has placed us. His priesthood is therefore exercised in heaven, and his office as high priest is to intercede for us.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
A high priest according to the order of Melchizedek:
- Melchizedek King of Salem
Ps 110:4 The Lord has sworn him, and he will not repent of it: You are a priest forever, in the manner of Melchizedek. Hb 5:6 As he says elsewhere: You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. Hb 6:20 where Jesus entered for us as a forerunner, having been made high priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. Hb 7:1 In fact, this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who went before Abraham when he returned from the defeat of the kings, who blessed him,
- The duty of the search for perfection
Mt 5:48 So, be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. 2 Cor 13:11 For the rest, brethren, be joyful, perfect yourself, console yourselves, have the same feeling, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Col 1:28 It is he whom we proclaim, exhorting every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, to present to God every man who has become perfect in Christ. Hb 13:21 enables you to do every good work for the accomplishment of His will, and do in you what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory in the ages of ages! Amen!
- Closeness to God in prayer and communion
Ps 73:28 For me, to draw near to God is my good: I place my refuge in the Lord, the Lord, to tell all your works. Hb 7:19 -for the law has brought nothing to perfection -and the introduction of a better hope, by which we draw near to God. Hb 10:22 Let’s approach with a sincere heart, in the fullness of faith, hearts purified of a bad conscience, and the body washed of pure water. John 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Clean your hands, sinners; purify your hearts, unresolved men.
- Infirmity of the body
Mt 8:17 that what had been announced by Isaiah, the prophet, may be fulfilled: He took our infirmities, and took care of our illnesses. Luke 13:11 And behold, there was a woman there possessed of a spirit that had made her crippled for eighteen years; she was bent, and could not straighten up at all. Gal 4:13 You have done me no harm. You know that it was because of an infirmity of the flesh that I first proclaimed the gospel to you. Hb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses; on the contrary, he has been tempted like us in all things, without committing sin.
From all the above we note that itwas the law that established men in infirmity to be high priests; but a more excellent thing came after the law. This is God’s oath: “The Lord has sworn,” and this oath establishes “a Son.” He is indeed a man, but he is the Son of God, and he is established high priest when, after being consumed, consecrated (Hb 2:10), he has entered heaven, made perfectly fit to perform his office for eternity. It says, “Having offered himself.” This does not mean that he set himself on fire, thus performing an act of priest. But he presented himself as an offering, he gave himself to be the victim of the sacrifice (Gal 1. 4; Gal 2. 20; Eph 5. 2, 25). Likewise it was not he who shed his blood, but his blood was shed (Mat 26. 28). In the Levitical priesthood, there were even many cases where it was not the priest who immolated the victim himself (Lev. 1:5, 11; 3:2, 8, 13; 4:4, 24, 29, etc.). There is no act of priest on the part of Christ before the moment when, entering into glory, after being consumed, he is greeted by God even high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Many people in Christianity believe it necessary to resort to intermediaries, priests or “saints”. We learn from this epistle that God has given us one high priest, or mediator, who is perfect and sufficient for eternity (Hb 10:19-22). What a grace! Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “a better covenant, such a high priest.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.