Hebrews 7 - Jesus Is Always Praying for You!

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Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Melchizedek was both a king and a priest. He ruled the nation and the people of Israel. The fact that Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils of his victory shows he regarded him very highly. His name meant both the "king of peace" and "king of righteousness". As we know we received righteousness from Christ, which gave us peace with God. Because he had no record of a mother or father, he is seen as a typology of Christ. 

The order is subtle but important. First, Melchizedek in his very name was called “king of righteousness.” Then he was called “king of peace.” As always, righteousness comes before peace. Righteousness is the only true path to peace. People look for that peace in escape, in evasion, or in compromise, but they will only find it in righteousness. “Peace without righteousness is like the smooth surface of the stream ere it takes its awful Niagara plunge.” (Spurgeon)

4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 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. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

The priesthood of Levi received tithes from Israel as a commandment. Abraham voluntarily gave tithes to Melchizedek. This makes Abraham’s giving to Melchizedek greater than Israel’s payment of tithes to the priesthood instituted by Moses. A tenth of the spoils: Spoils is literally the top of the heap, referring to the choicest spoils of war. When Abraham tithed to Melchizedek he literally “took it off the top. - Guzik

 Because the whole tribe of Levi was genetically in the loins of Abraham when he did this, we see the Old Testament priesthood paying tithes to the priesthood of Melchizedek. This shows Melchizedek is in a position of authority over Abraham and his descendant Levi. - Guzik

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.” 18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

The author's main point is the Jesus, like Melchidizedek, was both a priest and king. As priest, he served at the altar. But as a descendent of Judah, he was in the royal line. Though he was not a priest in line of Aaron, it showed he was from another priestly line not accounted for in the Law. The other significant statement is that Jesus was a forever priest in line of Melchidzedek who did not die. 

This shows the need for a different order of priesthood. If perfection could come through the Levitical priesthood, there would be no need for another priesthood. - Guzik

Jesus is obviously not from the family of Aaron or even the tribe of Levi. The tribe of Judah (the tribe of Jesus’ lineage) had nothing to do with Aaron’s priesthood, the priesthood associated with the Law of Moses. Therefore according to the priesthood of Aaron and the Law of Moses, Jesus could never be a priest. If He is our High Priest, it must be under another principle.

Most importantly it rendered the old priesthood powerless. Melchizedek looked forward to the day a new king would come in righteousness also provide the ultimate and final sacrifice, which eliminated the sacrificial system. 

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Jesus is a better priest, because he is a permanent priest. He can always intercede for those who come to him. 

"The Old Covenant had a mediator (Moses), but no one to guarantee the people’s side of the covenant. Therefore they continually failed under it. But the New Covenant – a better covenant – has a cosigner to guarantee it on our behalf. Therefore, the New Covenant depends on what Jesus did, not on what we do. He is the surety and we are not." - Guzik

 The priesthood under the Law of Moses constantly changed, and so was better or worse through the years depending on the character of the priest. In contrast, Jesus has an unchangeable priesthood. Jesus will never die and has a permanent priesthood. We don’t need to worry about a “bad priest” replacing Him. - Guzik

It strengthens us to know that Jesus prays for us, and that He ever lives to pray for us. This is tremendous encouragement to anyone who feels like giving up.

Did you realize that Jesus intercedes for you? We all have prayer partners we know will pray for us? I have had dozens of them over the years. But we have the ultimate prayer partner in Jesus! Jesus will never stop interceding for you until you go to be with him forever. 

26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Most importantly Jesus is better than any high priest who ever lived, because he was without sin. Whenever a high priest offered sacrifices, he had to make them for both himself and the people. For Jesus this was unnecessary because He was and is the sinless Son of God. The other aspect is that Jesus' sacrifice is the "once and for all sacrifice". 

Jesus' sacrifice brought an end to the sacrificial system. All sin humankind would ever commit was totally paid for on the cross by Jesus. This is why we celebrate communion every Sunday at our church. In the Sacrament of Holy Communion we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. We receive the bread and wine as a visceral reminder of his body broken for us and his blood shed for us. 

Though Jesus was the once and for all sacrifice, we need to remember it every day, as we daily die to our old self and are raised again in the newness life. This new life was purchased by Jesus for us on the cross. It is the gift that keeps on giving.