Hebrews 5 - Who is King Melchizedek And Why Is He Important?

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5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

The purpose of Hebrews 5 is to show how the priesthood of Jesus is superior to the "Aaronic Priesthood" I.e. The priests who came in the line of Aaron. The Levites were from the tribe of Levi, who was one of Jacob's sons. They oversaw the administration of the tabernacle and temple and made sure the sacrifices and offerings obeyed the Levitical laws Moses gave the Israelites. 

The sons of Aaron, (Aaron was Moses' brother), were in charge of the actual sacrifices offered in the tabernacle and temple. according to the Law of Moses. They were the only ones who were authorized to function as mediators between God and man. The Most High Priest was the only who went into the holy of holies once a year to make atonement for the people by offering the blood of the innocent and unblemished lamb. This was looking forward to Jesus the innocent Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world.

So who was Melchizidek, and why does the author of Hebrews mention him? 

We first learn of Melchizedek (whose name means "King of Righteousness") in Genesis 14, where he appears as the "King of Salem". Salem later became known as Jerusalem which means "city of peace".  Jerusalem is also the hug or all three Abrahamic religions. (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) Ironically this is the same place Jesus, the "Prince of Peace", was crucified so we could have peace with God. 

King Melchizedek is mysterious because we don't know where he came from, or where he went when he died. Importantly, he was both a priest and a king. We know he was a king because Abraham gave and gave him a tithe of the spoils of war, when he rescued his nephew Lot from the Northern knigs. Melchizedek not only received the tithe, which was an offering in gratitude to God, but he also gave a blessing to Abraham as a priest would. 

Importantly Melchizedek's priesthood preceded the Levitical priesthood and would last forever ultimately being fulfilled in Jesus the high priest who continues to make intercessions 

Why did the author describe Jesus as high priest in the order of Melchizedek?

Jesus was born in the line of Judah, which was the kingly line. This was key to fulfilling his role as the Messiah, which means, "Anointed One/King". 

Since he was not born as a descendant of Aaron, Jesus could not have been a Levitical priest, but he could be a priest in the order of Melchizedek. This means Jesus' priesthood was superior to the Levitical priesthood, because it came before Abraham and Levi. The priesthood of Aaron was temporary but the order of Melchizedek was eternal.  

In Judaism the offices of priest and king were strictly separated, but in Jesus they became one. 

"Jesus is a priest-king in the order of Melchizedek because His authority comes from an eternal, direct appointment by God rather than the physical tribal descent required by the traditional Jewish priesthood." - Bible Project

This is another one of those places in the bible where you say, "Who could have invented this?" This is the perfect fulfillment of God's plan. There is no contradiction here in how Jesus could become our forever priest/king. Jesus was the mediator between God and us by being the "once and for all sacrifice for our sin" thus eliminating the need for the sacrificial system.  The bible says Jesus continues to "intercede for us" (Hebrews 7:25) before the Father, as our high priest. This is why we pray, "In Jesus' name!"

As King, Jesus defeated sin, death, and the power of the devil on the cross by being raised from the dead. Though Jesus came as a man, he will return as King. Every knee will bow in heaven and earth and confess Jesus is Lord, to the glory of the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

When we get to heaven Jesus' role as our mediator will be over. We will see Him face to face. We will reign with him forever in His eternal kingdom! And his kingdom will have no end!

Maybe we will meet Melchizedek in heaven too!

Jesus, thank you for being our merciful high priest. Thank you for being the once and for all sacrifice for our sins. You are also the "king of kings" and the "Lord of lords". Your kingdom is coming now but will be forever established when you return! Amen.