The topic of priesthood runs through the complete Bible. At any time given that the fall (Gen. 3), there has been a will need for forgiveness. In the course of the Previous Testomony, 1 finds instance soon after case in point of insufficient sacrifices. Even even now, the covenantal claims of God are saved and made. With the dawn of the New Testomony, a newborn is born in Bethlehem. This promised Messiah normally takes on Himself the sins of the earth and rises to reign eternally. Jesus Christ is each King and Priest. How so? The creator of Hebrews explains how Christ does not occur in the get of Aaron. Rather, He will come in the buy of a mysterious figure named Melchizedek.
Melchizedek is to start with mentioned in Genesis 14. Soon after Abraham returns from a battle towards a coalition of evil kings, he is approached by Melchizedek (v. 18). In accordance to this account, Melchizedek is the king of Salem. He blesses Abram and provides him bread and wine. Before leaving, Abram offers Melchizedek “a tenth of everything” (v. 20).
Audience of the Previous Testomony obtain Melchizedek once again in Psalm 110. This Messianic Psalm from the pen of David details to Christ and His glory. The fourth verse reads, “The LORD has sworn and will not change his intellect, ‘You are a priest for good soon after the get of Melchizedek’” (ESV).
No more is explained of Melchizedek till the New Testomony. In the E book of Hebrews, Melchizedek is briefly mentioned in 5:6, 5:10, and 6:20. Every single of these refer to Jesus Christ currently being in the “order of Melchizedek.” In Hebrews 7, the author beings to reveal the romance in between Christ and Melchizedek.
In his commentary, F.F. Bruce writes, “Historically, Melchizedek appears to have belonged to a dynasty of priest-kings in which he experienced both predecessors and successors.” In Hebrews 7:3, the author refers to the Genesis account in which no genealogy is provided of Melchizedek or his priestly services. Thus, Christ is typologically as opposed to Melchizedek in that His priesthood has no Levitical origin. He has no lineage, and His priesthood has no end.
From in this article, the author of Hebrews begins to reveal Genesis 14 and how Melchizedek is in truth larger than Abram, the wonderful-grandfather of Levi. Melchizedek is larger simply because Abram offers him a tithe (Heb. 7:5-6a). This leads the creator of Hebrews to conclude the supremacy of Melchizedek in excess of Abram and his descendants. Furthermore, Melchizedek blesses Abram (Heb. 7:6b-7).
The priesthood of Jesus Christ is outdoors that of the Levitical descent. As the author of Hebrews writes, “Now if perfection experienced been attainable via the Levitical priesthood (for below it the persons received the regulation), what even more need to have would there have been for another priest to arise right after the get of Melchizedek, alternatively than a person named soon after the order of Aaron” (7:11 ESV).
Certainly, underneath the Outdated Covenant, perfection is unattainable. This is why the author of Hebrews begins to demonstrate how Jesus is the substantial priest of a much better covenant. He writes, “But as it is, Christ has received a ministry that is as considerably more fantastic than the outdated as the covenant he mediates is much better, considering the fact that it is enacted on superior promises” (8:6 ESV).
The writer of Hebrews obviously refers to Jesus as getting a higher priest in the buy of Melchizedek alternatively than Aaron. Even prior to the Law, a increased priesthood existed. The account of Abram and Melchizedek in Genesis 14 factors to this truth. As Victor P. Hamilton writes, “Thus Levi essentially paid tithes to Melchizedek, for Levi was still in the loins of his ancestor (Abram) when Melchizedek achieved Abram.”
Hence, the people of God are no for a longer time given an imperfect superior priest. Given that Jesus arrives immediately after the purchase of Melchizedek as an alternative of Levi, His priesthood is immortal (Heb. 7:24). As the author of Hebrews writes, “Consequently, he is ready to help save to the uttermost these who draw in close proximity to to God as a result of him, given that he often lives to make intercession for them” (v. 25 ESV). In contrast to the Aaronic priests, Christ is great, possessing no have to have to sacrifice for His own sin (v. 26). Instead, He sacrificed once and for all His own entire body on the cross.
The supremacy of Christ is even further recognized in God’s oath made in Psalm 110:4. The creator of Hebrews prices this verse when he writes, “‘The Lord has sworn and will not adjust his mind, “You are a priest forever”’” (7:21 ESV). The promised King who arrives by means of the lineage of David is here referred to by David as a priest. It is, as a result, with the knowledge that Jesus will come as a priest in the get of Melchizedek that He can be called Priest-King.
Christians now can consider coronary heart in what the creator of Hebrews portrays. Considering that Christ comes in the get of Melchizedek rather than Aaron, there is great hope. “For we do not have a substantial priest who is not able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but a single who in each individual regard has been tempted as we are, nevertheless with out sin” (Heb. 4:15 ESV).
Occur relaxation in the arms of the Priest-King, Jesus Christ.
Isaiah Pauley is the Minister of Worship for Religion Baptist Church in Mason, W.Va. Discover extra at www.isaiahpauley.com. Viewpoints expressed in the post are the function of the author.