Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek chapter 7

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek  This lesson is really a continuation/ conclusion of the previous point that Jesus is Superior to the Levitical Priesthood.  Chapter 7 illustrates the point through an ancient priest named “Melchizedek” from Genesis 14:17ff.

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek Particulars regarding Melchizedek:  King/Priest of Salem, v.1  met Abraham as he returned from battle  was given 1/10 of the spoils, v.2  without genealogy/beginning/end, v.3a  was therefore “like the Son of God…. he abides a priest perpetually.” v.3b

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek What made Melchizedek “great” ?  the patriarch Abraham gave him 1/10, v.4  Levitical priests receive 1/10 from the people by commandment, v.5 > Num.18:21  but Melchizedek collected 1/10 from Abraham- the one of promise and blessed him for it! v.6  the lesser is blessed by the greater! vv.8- 10

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek The Point? Jesus, like Melchizedek, is greater than the Levitical Priests who represent the Old Law/Covenant!

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek The Imperfection of Levitical Priests: If they had been “perfect” why would God have appointed another Priest from Melchizedek instead of Aaron’s family? v.11

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek So if the priesthood changed…  the Law dictating the priesthood would have to change as well, v.12  because the Law specified priests were to be from the tribe of Levi- not Judah as was Jesus, vv Important side note from v.14: The silence of God’s law excludes rather than includes- God doesn’t have to say “Thou shall not” to everything for it to be forbidden.

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek Therefore:  Jesus, like Melchizedek, is a Priest on the basis of “indestructible life” - not physical requirement of birth! vv  This too makes Him superior to the Levitical Priesthood!  And if the priesthood changed, then the Law must have changed also!

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek The Weakness of the Law:  it made nothing “perfect”- v.19a But Jesus did! v.19b  the former priests existed in greater numbers because they died, v.23 But Jesus “abides forever”! v.24

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek So Jesus, the superior Priest:  can save “forever” those who draw near to God, v.25 > cf.10:1-4,14  is holy, undefiled, separate from sinners & exalted above the heavens, v.26 What does all that mean?  His sacrifice of Himself was once for all for it was the Just for the Unjust, v.27  He had no sins of His own, therefore He was the Perfect sacrifice for us! v.28

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek Take Home Points?  Remember the point to the Hebrew Christians: Don’t go back- Jesus is the better and only way!  As the Perfect Priest, Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice for our sins too- Himself.  Further, He lives forever as our High Priest to make intercession before the Father that we too might live forever with Him.

Hebrews, #4 Jesus: Priest of Melchizedek Will you? Not if you don’t “obey Him”! 5:9