Hebrews chapter 7 is an interesting chapter. The writer discusses the perfect priesthood of Jesus Christ, which is after the order of Melchizedek. There has been much debate about Melchizedek...was he actually Christ appearing in the old testament? Was he just a human man that served the One True God?
Hebrews 7:1-3 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, (2) to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace," (3) without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
So, to break down the characteristics we are given of Melichizedek, high priest:
Hebrews 7:1-3 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, (2) to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace," (3) without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
So, to break down the characteristics we are given of Melichizedek, high priest:
- He is the king of Salem.
- He is a priest of the Most High God.
- He is a king of righteousness.
- He is a king of peace (salem means peace)
- He is without a father.
- He is without a mother.
- He is without genealogy.
- No beginning of days (no birth).
- He has no end of life (no death).
- He was made like the Son of God.
- He remains a priest continually.
Historically, those that were of the Levite tribe were priests to the Jewish people. As such, there was no time to own land or other possessions with which to sustain themselves so the people gave a tithe to the priests to help provide their needs. Melichizedek, not being of the tribe of Levi, received a tithe as well, but from Abraham. The writer goes on to discuss the need for a new priesthood.
Hebrews 7:18-19 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, (19) for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
The law had limitations. Only the high priest could fome into the presence of God and he could only do that once a year. Sacrifices could not fully atonement for sins. They had to be brought to the priest over and over. The law could not make anything perfect. Now, don't get me wrong. The law was not useless, in fact just the opposite. Paul said,
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The law provides the consequences for sin, and the knowledge that there is sin. BUT:
Romans 5:20-21 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, (21) so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So, while the law punished sin, our Heavenly Father gives grace through Jesus Christ and his eternal life. The law also pointed the people to Christ.
Galatians 3:24-25 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25) But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
We have a better way now through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. He is the better covenant that is according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:20-22 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (21) (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: "THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT RELENT, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK' "), (22) by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
Jesus is a better way, and a better covenant. He is able to save any that come through Him to the Father.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
He makes intercession for us as the Perfect High Priest. Why do we need a High Priest, such as Jesus Christ?
Hebrews 7:26-27 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; (27) who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
There never has to be another High Priest. There never has to be another sacrifice. Jesus was holy and harmless (blameless). Jesus was undefiled (clean and pure). Jesus was separate from the sinners and He was made higher than the heavens with a name better than the angels. This is why we need a High Priest like Jesus. The law appointed priests according to the Levites. It appointed men with the same weaknesses we all have Jesus finished it all. He was the One Perfect Sacrifice and the final High Priest appointed by God.
Hebrews 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
Isn't that wonderful?
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