Daily Bread 2010 - Hebrews 7
Jesus Like Melchizedek
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.
Having explained the type of priest/king Melchizedek, whose name meant “king of righteousness”, the author says that he was a type or foreshadowing of what was to come. He was a model for the type of priest/king Jesus would be. Jesus did not descend from the line of Aaron, where the priests descended from but the tribe of Judah.
Also the Old Testament priests were also a type, or model of how God would eventually make men and women right with himself (I.e. how to become righteous). The priest was a mediator of that relationship by offering sacrifices, first for himself, and then for the people.
Hebrews 7:8 would suggest that Melchizedek didn’t die and that is debated or at least not clear. Some speculate that he was a mere theophany (revelation of God), but others think he is merely a foreshadowing of the type of priest/king Jesus would be. Since there was no mention of Melchizedek’s birth or death, or where he came from, it is assumed he didn’t die.
But the bottom line for our understanding is that Jesus’ priesthood is much different than the priesthood in the Old Testament. Since the author is teaching Jewish Christians the difference between the Old and New Covenants, he is starting with where they would be knowledgeable. To modern day Christians this may not be as important, but to the early Jewish/Christian community who were struggling to establish themselves in spite of persecution by the Jews who maintained that the Temple and Sacrificial system were still in force, it meant everything. (Corbett) http://www.andrewcorbett.net/commentaries/hebrews/study09-melchizedek.pdf
It also reminds us today that God doesn’t want our sacrifice, the sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken heart and spirit that comes humbly to Him for His grace. As Paul says in Romans 12:2, “In view of God’s mercy offer your body as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that you might prove what the will of God is, His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The key thing to remember is it is, “In view of God’s mercy”. Meaning we offer ourselves our bodies and minds as a living sacrifice in response to the sacrifice our merciful high priest made for us.
Dear Jesus thank you for being our high priest and also our king. We give ourselves to you knowing that you live and that as we offer our bodies and minds to you will be conforming to your will and not to the world. We know one day we will meet you face to face and spend eternity worshiping you. In Your name we pray, Amen.
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.
Having explained the type of priest/king Melchizedek, whose name meant “king of righteousness”, the author says that he was a type or foreshadowing of what was to come. He was a model for the type of priest/king Jesus would be. Jesus did not descend from the line of Aaron, where the priests descended from but the tribe of Judah.
Also the Old Testament priests were also a type, or model of how God would eventually make men and women right with himself (I.e. how to become righteous). The priest was a mediator of that relationship by offering sacrifices, first for himself, and then for the people.
Hebrews 7:8 would suggest that Melchizedek didn’t die and that is debated or at least not clear. Some speculate that he was a mere theophany (revelation of God), but others think he is merely a foreshadowing of the type of priest/king Jesus would be. Since there was no mention of Melchizedek’s birth or death, or where he came from, it is assumed he didn’t die.
But the bottom line for our understanding is that Jesus’ priesthood is much different than the priesthood in the Old Testament. Since the author is teaching Jewish Christians the difference between the Old and New Covenants, he is starting with where they would be knowledgeable. To modern day Christians this may not be as important, but to the early Jewish/Christian community who were struggling to establish themselves in spite of persecution by the Jews who maintained that the Temple and Sacrificial system were still in force, it meant everything. (Corbett) http://www.andrewcorbett.net/commentaries/hebrews/study09-melchizedek.pdf
It also reminds us today that God doesn’t want our sacrifice, the sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken heart and spirit that comes humbly to Him for His grace. As Paul says in Romans 12:2, “In view of God’s mercy offer your body as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that you might prove what the will of God is, His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The key thing to remember is it is, “In view of God’s mercy”. Meaning we offer ourselves our bodies and minds as a living sacrifice in response to the sacrifice our merciful high priest made for us.
Dear Jesus thank you for being our high priest and also our king. We give ourselves to you knowing that you live and that as we offer our bodies and minds to you will be conforming to your will and not to the world. We know one day we will meet you face to face and spend eternity worshiping you. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment