This chapter introduces us to Melchizedek, the Most High Priest, who most likely was Jesus preincarnate. We know from Chapter 5:5-6 that God bestowed the position of High Priest upon Jesus: “So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.' As He also says in another place: 'You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek'.” Also, when reading the description of Melchizedek in this chapter, it sounds exactly like Jesus. Verses 2-3, “...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,” 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.” Jesus, the Son of God is our Priest eternally.
We can see that Melchizedek was far above any earthly man or position. Considering that all earthly priests would descend from Abraham's lineage, and even Abraham honored Melchizedek with a tenth of the spoils, it is clear here that tithing was established before the law. Verses 4-10, “Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.”
Because perfection could not be achieved through the law or through the sin sacrifices made by the priests, there remained a need for another Priest to arise. Just as Jesus was the necessary sacrifice for our sins, and we could not be justified by the law, and sacrifices were only a temporary covering. Verses 7:11, 15-19, “Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?...And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For He testifies: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 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.”
Having Jesus as our High Priest and offering the ultimate sacrifice for our sins does not mean we can ignore or throw out the law altogether. Romans 3:30-31, “...since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.” Establish means that the law is upheld. The law was not useful at perfecting us, but establishing us as sinners. However, God did not do away with it. He upheld it perfectly by initiating a penalty for our sins according to it, and receiving that penalty upon Himself. In order to escape the penalty, we must accept Jesus' payment on the cross. We receive this gift of grace and are taught by it to live holy and righteously. The willful sinner who knows the truth, yet sins anyway, will receive judgment not salvation. The law should be the tutor that brings us to Christ for redemption.
Hebrews 7:23-25, “Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 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.” There will be no end to Jesus' priesthood, making Him the perfect High Priest, always interceding on our behalf. Romans 8:33-34, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” You cannot expect this level of protection from God if you are not His child, as evidenced by your obedience to His word. Those who refuse His chastening and correction will be condemned with the world.
What better intercessor could we have than One who is perfect and does not need to make sacrifices for personal sin? He has no weakness in Him, and is holy and undefiled. Verses 26-28, “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 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. 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.” God's love for us is more than evident by the lengths He would go through to save us!
Comments
Post a Comment