Thursday
Thursday
A Priest like Melchizedek
You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Psalm 110:4
Melchizedek is without doubt one of the most mysterious characters in the whole of Scripture. He is mentioned in only three passages, and in each of them he is identified as a priest. He appears first in the narrative of Genesis where he meets Abraham returning from his campaign to rescue Lot (Gen. 14:12, 18–20). Secondly, he is named in Psalm 110:4, where Yahweh addresses his king in these words: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Thirdly, the writer of Hebrews alludes to both these texts and draws out their implications in relation to Jesus.
Jesus the Messiah is a priest. Yet he is not a Levitical priest, since he was not descended from Levi. Indeed, Jesus’s priesthood is not only different from that of the Levitical priests but also superior to it. It belongs to the priesthood of Melchizedek. This superiority is evident because Melchizedek both blessed Abraham (Levi’s ancestor) and received from him a tenth of the spoils, and these were both superior roles.
In what way, then, is the priesthood of Jesus superior to that of Levi? Several reasons are given, but one is emphasized, namely that he is a priest “forever.” Because the Levitical priests were human beings and therefore mortal, “death prevented them from continuing in office” (Heb. 7:23) and they had to be continually replaced. Not Jesus, however. “Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood” (Heb. 7:24). Not that his sacrifice can in any way be repeated or prolonged, but rather that it has eternal efficacy. For when Christ had made on the cross his one sacrifice for sins forever, he sat down at the Father’s right hand, his atoning work having been accomplished (Heb. 10:11–14). Assurance of forgiveness comes from resting and rejoicing in the finished work of Christ on the cross.
For further reading: Hebrews 10:11–22