START WITH SCRIPTURE:
CLICK HERE TO READ SCRIPTURE ON BIBLEGATEWAY.COM
OBSERVE:
Of all the writings of the New Testament, the book of Hebrews makes the closest connection with the ceremonies of the sacrificial system of Leviticus in the Old Testament.
Hebrews, although called by some an epistle, is really more of a sermon or a treatise dealing with the ways in which Jesus fulfills all the laws of the sacrificial system in his life, death and resurrection as the perfect High Priest.
Elsewhere in Hebrews, the writer points out that although Jesus is not by lineage of the priestly order, but rather of the house of Judah, nevertheless God has designated him as the High Priest. God also declares that Jesus is begotten as his Son (See Psalm 2:7). His authority comes not from his family lineage or human title, but from God himself!
And then there is the stranger reference to the priesthood of Melchizedek! This is also a reference to Psalm 110:4. Both Psalm 2 and Psalm 110 might be regarded as Messianic Psalms.
But the reference to Melchizedek goes back even farther and is even more mysterious. There are only two references to this shadowy figure, the one in Psalm 110, and the strange encounter between Abram and Melchizedek in Genesis 14.
To review: Abram has just rescued his nephew Lot from the five kings who have besieged Sodom and captured Lot and his family. On his way back home, Abraham passes by Salem (the future location of Jerusalem), and this strange encounter ensues: Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
And praise be to God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:18-20).
So, who is this Melchizedek and why is he mentioned here? Remember that the book of Hebrews is illustrating the continuity between the Old and New Testament. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets.
So one way to understand this account is that the writer of Hebrews is using the method of typology, looking for foreshadowing of the coming of Christ throughout the Hebrew Bible. But another, more mystical interpretation, is that Melchizedek actually is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Christ who made himself manifest to Abram some 2000 years before the incarnation. In keeping with Christ’s preexistence, he came to offer bread and wine – a foreshadowing of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper – and to offer a highly priestly blessing for Abram.
In this context, though, the writer of Hebrews is making the point that the High Priestly office of Christ transcends time and place and lineage – that he was High Priest long before Moses established the priestly line of Aaron.
As the High Priest, Jesus offered up prayers and intercession. But even more than that, because he obeys God’s plan to make sacrifice for sins, Jesus’ work and ministry are perfected and He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek.”
His High Priesthood, established before time began, is confirmed by his willingness to suffer. And as the sacrifices of the temple attempted but failed to do, Jesus becomes the ultimate sacrifice who is able to impute righteousness to those who believe.
APPLY:
Although we may struggle a bit with the concepts of Melchizedek and High Priesthood and vicarious sacrifice, we are assured by this passage that God has a plan to answer our sin and separation from him.
We are reminded in this passage that as our High Priest, Jesus hasn’t merely been given that title by the Father – he has in some sense earned it. Though he cried out to avert the pain of death, nevertheless he was obedient even unto death – and by his death and resurrection provided us with eternal salvation.
This makes him the perfect High Priest for us. He has suffered for us, and in a sense with us. As Hebrews 2: 17-18 says, Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
So we have a High Priest who is our sacrifice and also our intercessor – not only from before time began, and in ancient times in the type and person of Melchizedek, but who also has endured the cross and the grave for us. He has tasted the worst that we can experience, and has conquered. And in him we also conquer!
RESPOND:
One of the most precious images of Jesus to me is as my High Priest. Not one who is high and remote and aloof in robes and splendor, but one who has descended to my level and suffered for me and with me. His plea to “let this cup pass from me” is one I can understand. And yet he endured the cross, despising the shame. He has suffered the depths of death – and even has become sin (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21) for my sake, that I might become righteous. And as High Priest he now intercedes for me forever. That deserves my praise and thanks forever and ever.
Lord, as my High Priest you pray for me constantly. Oh how that comforts and strengthens me when I’m discouraged and uncertain. The Second Person of the Trinity, the Incarnate God, the God/Man prays for me! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
PHOTOS: “Jews For Jesus” by Jeffrey Zeldman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic license. “This Is Love” by Rene Yoshi is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.
SOAR Lectionary Bible Study 