A Mysterious Man

Hebrews 7-Part 1
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever ater the order of Melchizedek.  Hebrews 7:17


LET IT GLOW

I like a good mystery, whether it's one to solve from a book or a movie. Most of the time in books or movies, we know about the characters, especially the  one "who done it," whatever "it" is. Well, today our main character is a mysterious man found in chapter 7. There is no record of his descendants, nor record of his birth or death. However, there are a few things we do know about this mysterious man named Melchizedek. He has appeared only briefly in two other places in the Old Testament-Genesis 14:18-20 and Psalm 110:4.

Here's some background I read by Falwell in Liberty Bible Commentary:

the capture of Lot during the battle at sodom between 4 northern kings and 5 southern kings caused Abraham, with 318 men, to pursue them. After defeating tahem near Damascus, he turned south with the people and goods which had been plundered. Melchizedek, King of Salem (later called Jerusalem) and priest of the most high God, brought out food to feed them and blessed Abraham. Abraham acknowledged Melchizedek's priestly status by giving him a tenth of all spoils.

Our writer sees this Melchizedek as a type or figure of Christ and begins to express the parallels which he sees between the two. So here are some comparisons as to how Christ and Melchizedek are alike:

• He was a king. His name, Melchizedek, means "King of righteousness." As the king of Salem, he was the "King of peace" since the ancient city-state Salem means peace. So, by name and location, he is king of both righteousness and peace, two attributes that link him in type to Christ.
• He is priest of the Most High God. Verse 4 says that he continually serves as priest; not "was" a priest, but "is" a  priest. His priesthood continues, just as Christ's priesthood continues. Melchizedek received Abraham's tithes and symbolically through Abraham, the tithes of all Levitical priesthood. (This was something new for me to realize-Abraham practised tithing before Moses was given any laws.)
• He is without father, mother, or descent. There is no genealogy or historical record in regard to his parents, or his human descendants, so they are unknown. This was essential for priests under theLevitical system because one could only serve as a priest if he could prove his pedigree. Melchizedek had no papers. Even though Christ's human family is listed in the Bible, He is a divine person, essentially without an earthly father or mother, without genealogy.
• He is without beginning nor end. Jesus Christ  has an eternal nature. He always was, is, and will be. The writer notes that Melchizedek resembles the Son of God, not the otherway around. Also, the author proves that the superiority of the priesthood of Jesus is over that of the Aaronic priest. Chirst became a high priest by a divine oath which established Him in a new priestly order, the order of Melchizedek. (Shepherd's Notes)  

There are different opinions concerning the topic of Melchizedek. Some picture him as a real man, while some picture him as the incarnate Jesus Christ. I suppose we have to make up our own mind on the matter.

LET IT GROW

It failed. There was no perfection within the Mosiac law, under the Levitical system of sacrifices, in the order of Aaron. Something had to change.

Perfection means "reaching the goal; denotes fulfillment, completion, an end accomplished as the effect of a process," according to Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.

"The Old Testament Law and the Levitical system could not produce forgiveness or the holiness of heart demanded by God. It failed to provide an adequate relation to God," stated Fritz Rienecker, in Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament.

The animal sacrifices could not give any worshipper a perfect standing before God (Heb.10:1-3). The Mosiac system of divine law was not a permanent system. It was "added" to serve as a "schoolmaster" to prepare the way for the coming of Christ (Gal. 3:19-4:7). (Wiersbe)

The law gives us standards to live by; it teaches us that we have sinned, fallen short of the requirements God has established. The animals' blood only covered up sin; it didn't remove sin as does the blood of Jesus Christ. So, something had to change, which was in God's plan all along.

According to verse 12, For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. (NIV)

I knew, but didn't realize until studying chapter 7, that Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not Levi, which were the priesthood tribe. He wasn't of the tribe of priests.

No one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. (verse 13b, NIV)

Jesus isn't a priest according to their regulation as to his ancestory, but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. (verse 16 NIV)

God's Son, Jesus, knew no limitation; He has life indestructible and eternal. In Him Christians have life, abundant and everlasting. It was necessary for God to raise up the truly ultimate High Priest. We don't need a human mediator to approach God on our behalf. By this "better hope" every believer, through Christ, personally draws near to God. (Shepherd's Notes)

Jesus is the Superior Priest. He is sitting at the right hand of God, interceeding for each of us as we pray. It can't get any better than that, sisters. 

LET IT GO

Jesus is my King and High Priest.

It is through Him that my sins are forgiven.

It is through Jesus that I can approach the throne of God anytime.

Jesus interceeds for me to a holy God.

Praise You, King Jesus!