Christology of Hebrews 7: Jesus Greater Than Melchizedek

From the diary of scribbler, you remember that Jesus, as our High Priest was introduced in (Hebrews 2:17). The author went further to discourse His priesthood in (Ch. 4:14-5:10) but paused a bit to exhort and warn the Hebrew church against falling away. He wants them to understand Melchizedek so that they can gain a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ as a superior High Priest.

Meet Melchizedek, (Genesis 14:18-20)

Google showed me that Melchizedek is only mentioned twice in the OT contrary to my expectation of someone regarded as the high priest of the Most High God in the OT times, (Gen. 14; Ps. 110:4). Abram had just returned from plundering Kedorlaomer and kings allied with him bringing back his relative Lot who had been taken captive, (Gen 14; Heb. 7:1); he met up with Melchizedek (king of righteousness) king of Salem and the priest of Most High God. He brought bread and wine and blessed Abram. Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything,” (Gen 14:19-20). Here is a sneak peek into this high priest of the Most High God, Melchizedek:

1. Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, (Gen. 14:18-20; Heb. 7:1),
2. Melchizedek means king of righteousness, (Heb 7:2).
3. He was king of Salem (king of peace), (Heb 7:1; Gen. 14:18).
4. Priest of the Most High God, (Gen. 14:18).
5. He blessed Abram, (Gen 14:19). “And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater,” (Heb. 7:7).
6. He was great. Even the patriarch “Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!” (Heb 7:4; Gen 14:20). “Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises,” (Heb 7:3-6).
7. He remains a priest forever, (Heb. 7:3).

The changing priesthood and the change of the place of Moses’ Law, Heb 7:11-19

Ø  First, the scripture confirm that Levitical priesthood and the law never made anything perfect, Heb 7:11, 18-19.

Ø  Second, for when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also, v.12. By now you know that Jesus could not be a priest according to the Mosaic Law because He is from the wrong tribe-Judah not Aaron, (Heb 7:13-14). Therefore, if He is our High Priest, it must be under another law, (Heb 7:15-17; Ps. 110:4),

Ø  Third, Jesus’ priesthood is not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but upon basis of the power of an indestructible life, v. 16. “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek,” Psalm 110:4; Heb 7:17.

Similarities between Jesus and Melchizedek

1. Like Melchizedek, Jesus is both king and priest in one person.
2. Jesus is the king of righteousness, 1 John 2:1
3. He is the king of peace, Eph 2:14-18; Rom 5:1; Isa 9:6
4. His priesthood is eternal, Heb 7:11, 24.
5. As our High Priest, He is worthy not just of a tithe, but of all that we are and have

The superiority of our High Priest, Jesus Christ

1. Jesus was made High Priest by the direct oath of God, 7:20-21.
2. Jesus Himself is the guarantee of a better covenant, v. v. 22. He is the surety.

-          Synonyms used for covenant include: agreement, bond, contract etc. According to Merriam Webster, “Covenant is a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action.” In a biblical basis, dictionary.com defines covenant as “The agreement between God and the ancient Israelites, in which God promised to protect them if they kept His law and were faithful to Him.” The Old Covenant that God had established with His people required strict obedience to the Mosaic Law.  The Law required that Israel perform daily sacrifices in order to atone for sin. Under the New Covenant, we are given the opportunity to receive salvation as a free gift, our responsibility is to exercise faith in Jesus because He fulfilled the Law on our behalf and brought an end to the Law’s sacrifices through His own sacrificial death. Therefore, the covenant under which we meet with God through Jesus is not something we have negotiated with Him.

3. Jesus lives forever; He has a permanent priesthood, v. 24.
4. He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, v. 25.
5. He truly meets our needs, v. 26a.
6. He is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens, v. 26b-27.  

-      Unlike the other high priests, He did not need to offer sacrifices first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. His sacrifice was sufficient for all and final.

7. Jesus is better qualified to be a High Priest than any other person, v. 28. He is not only worth of our tithes but our total allegiance, obedience, worship and all that we are and have.

Application

Only through Christ the eternal Son of God, and our perfect High Priest has the perfect royal priesthood been accomplished. He is the only one able to save us completely and truly meet our needs. In (Heb 2:17), remember we mentioned that He had to become human in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and make an atonement for the sins of the people. In (ch. 4:14-17), His priesthood meant that we can hold firmly the faith we profess; He can empathize with us and we can approach the throne room of God with confidence. In addition, (1 Peter 2:9-10) says that, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood….”  Under the New Covenant, there is no longer a priest who must come from a particular ancestry. Christ, our high priest, has made us royal priesthood. Here on earth, our role as priests is to minister with authority; draw men to Him and to lead them to worship Him. Indeed, as Christians, we have the privilege of being a royal priesthood.

Yours faithful scribbler,

NzakuNashipae