Spring Disciple Formation Focus
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Chapter 7
Jesus is More...& Melchizedek Shows us Why
A somewhat strange (strained?) sighting of Jesus the Son of God
in a mysterious Old Testament figure
Throughout Hebrews, Jesus is the hero. We found out early on that he was greater even than the angels, and that (paradoxically) one thing that made him greater is the fact that he was fully a human being who faced all the associated limitations and weaknesses (allowing him to save us with God's power from the human side of the situation). Later we learned that Jesus is greater than Moses. And we've been in a long discussion of Jesus being greater than the system of Old Testament priesthood.
Here in chapter 7, we learn what ultimately makes Jesus as our Great High Priest better than the Hebrew priest system outlined in God's law and practiced in the temple. Throughout the chapter, Jesus is presented in his priesthood as better than the others: “a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to
God” (7:19), & "Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant" (7:22).
But in this presentation there's a slight problem to navigate. Jesus is indeed our Great High
Priest who made the final sacrifice for sin and lives in this role in heaven. But in the Old Testament picture of worship, the priests were from the Hebrew tribe of Levi. Jesus was not a member of the priestly family! He was descended from the tribe of Judah – great for his Kingship (in the line of King
David), but not so much for the priesthood.
The solution to this apparent problem?
Melchizedek. Mel-whoza whatsit?
Melchizedek was a powerful man who blessed Abraham when he came to the land following God's call. He was referred to as a "priest of God Most High" (Gen. 14:17-20). The preacher of Hebrews identifies the priest Melchizedek as better than the Levitical priests because he predated them (by a long way). He even predated the founding father of the faith! (7:4-10) But the preacher also sees in Melchizedek someone who looks a lot like Jesus. First, his name means "king of righteousness" and "king of peace" (7:2). This sounds a lot like we've discovered Jesus to be. And the most important connection between Melchizedek and Jesus is that he "resembles the Son of God" in that he is presented in the text in somewhat of an eternal spin, without regard to being born or dying (7:3).
The preacher notes that Psalm 110:4 picks up this "forever” dimension in presenting the idea that Melchizedek’s order
of priesthood is has an eternal dimension: “you are a priest forever, in
the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus’ priesthood is also forever. He permanently operates in the “office” of high priest. He is perfect, and because of this he has no need to make sacrifice for his
own sins, since he was blameless. His
sacrifice was once and for all…and he doesn’t need to keep doing it!
Because of this “he is able to save completely those who
come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (7:25)
This kind of ever-serving holy high priest meets our human need for one: “Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set
apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (7:26)
From the preacher's presentation of Jesus being more because of Melchizedek, we find an affirmation:
Exalted above the heavens in perfect holiness, Jesus our
high priest meets our needs, saving completely those who come to God through
him by always (full-time, 24/7) living to intercede for us.
Jesus doesn’t have to waste time with more
sacrifice. It’s already been taken care
of on the cross once and for all. He can
now dedicate all his divine energy toward “interceding for us,” representing us
to God, taking our needs to the Father so that we may find divine help…yes, even the
faith needed to run the race with perseverance.
Amen.
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