Solving the Mystery of Melchizedek

“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is tested that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’ On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect) but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.” In Hebrews 7 we see the development of the central truth of this letter: the superiority of Jesus Christ. In Him alone is sufficient power to handle life. The writer of this letter labors to convince his readers that Christ is completely different in His priestly role. Unlike Aaron and the Levitical priesthood, Christ follows the pattern of a maverick priest who once ministered to Abraham. His name was Melchizedek. What makes the book of Hebrews so difficult to understand? Perhaps because we are coming from as different place than they were. They were very familiar with name like Moses, Aaron, David, Joshua, Abraham, and Melchizedek. Let’s examine the current problem they were facing. Among the intended recipients of this letter were those who had chosen to no longer bow to the name of Christ. Because of suffering and disillusionment, these people had returned to a life centered on the Mosaic Law and the Levitical priesthood. The writer set out to prove to them that Jesus Christ, not the priests, was the solution to their problem. Our hope is found in the Person of Jesus Christ (7:1-19). The letter says “If you want a rather unusual measure of peace in the rather unusual time in which you live, you’ll find it only in Jesus Christ. The best introduction to Jesus is Melchizedek.” Jesus and Melchizedek: a comparison (vv. 1-8). Who was Melchizedek? (vv. 1-2). He was king in Salem, reigning over what we know today as Jerusalem. He was, at the same time, a priest of the Most High God. Abraham was one of his contemporaries. What was his background? (v. 3). The Bible gives no record of Melchizedek’s birth, mother, father, genealogy, or death. Why was he great? (vv. 4-8). First, he collected a tithe from Abraham (vv. 4-6a). Second he blessed the one who had promises from God (v. 6b). Third, he was declared superior to Abraham (vv. 8-10). Jesus and Moses: A contrast (vv. 11-19). In this portion of the text, the writer turns to the time of Moses and the Levitical priesthood and asks, “what need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?” Because Melchizedek represents something that the priests of Moses could never produce. Both the priesthood and the law were imperfect. Perfect in this passage means completed, fulfilled, only in Christ is there security, and only in Him is there purpose and meaning in life. Only through Him can we draw near to God. Jesus and me, (vv. 18-19). The writer of the letter to the Hebrews has shown us that we don’t need a religion that brags about its genealogy. We don’t need a priest with as pedigree. What we need is the life that’s indestructible, a priest who is permanent. We need Jesus Christ, our high priest. Jesus not only knows where we’re coming from, but more importantly, where we’re going. Jesus not only cares where our head is, but more importantly, where our heart is. Jesus not only tells us that we are weak and empty in ourselves, but more importantly, that we are strong and complete in Him. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Our High Priest

"For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence" (Hebrews 9:27). We have a High Priest in heaven who intercedes for each of us. The above verse will give us some insight concerning this subject. There was a man made holy place, the tabernacle on earth, was merely a copy of the true one in heaven. There, in the presence of God, Christ intercedes for us, as the high priest below interceded before the Shekinah. While He was on earth Christ never entered the holy of holies at Jerusalem. Aaron, the Levitical high priest for the people stood before the ark and only saw the cloud, the symbol of God's glory (Exo. 28:30). However Christ appeared before the Father in the heavenly tabernacle. The very sight of Jesus satisfied God on our behalf. His offering at Calvary does not need renewal, His offering is good for eternity, for Jesus is our permanent, eternally present offering before God. The shed blood of Christ is infinitely greater than those sacrifices offered under the law which could not pardon sin. Christ by one sacrifice destroyed the works of the Devil and through the new birth made us righteous and complete in Him. After His work on the cross He entered heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father always making intercession for us. Have you noticed we all lean strongly toward rule keeping. Someone has used the illustration of humanity being like a man who fell into a empty well. He naturally cried out for help and a passer-by heard his cry. He leaned over the edge of the well and asked the man what he wanted. The man said he was desperate to get out and needed help in doing so. The passer-by thought about this for a while, then he took a piece of paper and wrote on it "Ten rules on how to keep out of wells" and dropped it down to the man. A greater problem emerges when a man does not know he has fallen into a well. He thinks he was made for well living, and he cannot comprehend why he is so unhappy living in the well. The giving of the Ten Commandments made him realize his plight but they can't help him out of the well. Jesus is the rope dropped into the well, the winch to pull man out, and the guide to keep him from falling back in. Oh, how we need Jesus in our lives. For you see the earthly tabernacle was just a picture of the real one in heaven. I have a picture of my wife in my wallet. I look at it some times and find it to be comforting, but quite inadequate. Its not really my wife, just a picture of her. I can't have a conversation with it, we can't laugh together, I can't kiss it, (I could but it wouldn't be all that satisfying), and it can't cook any meals. Though its an accurate representation of the real person, its a far cry from it. Jesus is real, He lives in our lives and He abides in heaven. He is our Perfect Sacrifice and He appeared to the Father for us in heaven. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Our Permanent Priest

Please read Hebrews 7:18-28. The writer of Hebrews declares that Jesus Christ came onto the scene "According to the order of Melchizedek," meaning that He followed in Melchizedek's unique way, rather than following the path of the Levitical priesthood, therefore, His priesthood is superior to the priesthood established in the era of the Law. This passage builds upon that foundation and points out that Jesus, our high priest, greatly exceeds all other priests in His character, permanence and work. First, note an important contrast. On the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness, and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. What is true religion? Answer, know God and having access to Him. The writer operates from a basic premise that we need access to God. His words reveal that he hopes to help his readers come into the very presence of God without fear. How do we reach God? The gap between man and his Creator is too great, and sin prevents man from reaching God on his own. Therefore, there must be something to span the gap between sinful man and a holy God. Thus the need for a priest. The good news is that there is One and only One who can open the way to God permanently and perfectly. Second, Jesus Priesthood explained. Note a series of contrasts. These contrasts point out that if we choose an earthly pontiff as our bridge-builder to God, we will have one who lacks God's oath of approval, one who cannot be a guarantee, and one who will die. The following verse gives us a brief wrap-up of what has been presented so far. "He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for us." There are three reasons for Christ's superiority. First because He is sinless. Second, because His sacrifice was offered once for all. That sacrifice was Himself. And third He is Superior because He is the perfect Son of God forever. Third, lets make application of Christ's Priesthood for today. Only through Christ are we able to know God (His thoughts, will, precepts, and Word). Through Christ only are we able to reach God. Have you spent time with your heavenly Priest today? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.