Hebrews 7

Melchizedek is one of the more mysterious figures in the Scriptures. He appears, seemingly out of nowhere, in Genesis 14. He is immediately recognized as a great superior, for the patriarch Abraham gives a tenth of the spoils of war to this king, as one would give a tithe to God.

This man was the king of Salem, meaning “peace.” Melchizedek's name itself translates literally as “king of righteousness.” Where did this man come from? Where did he go after Abraham honored him so well? No one can say. He is a part of no genealogy. It is as if he came down from heaven itself to receive praise from Abraham, the man we presumed to be God's greatest representative on earth in his day.

It is Melchizedek who gave Abraham a blessing, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” This is a man who speaks authoritative words of God's good care upon Abraham, the man of faith. Abraham gave him his tithe.

This unusual priest is greater than the later priests that descended from Aaron according to the Law. Melchizedek was like the Son of God Himself, yet appearing before His time. Here is an eternal man of blessing that comes from heaven.

Continuing this mystery, so many years later when David wrote Psalm 110, he spoke about the coming Messianic Priest who would come from heaven. We hear these words: “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” There have been so many descendants of Levi and Aaron who were priests. But where is the Priest who fulfilled David's great prophesy? Where is the King of Peace? Where is the King of Righteousness? Where is the Son of God? Where is the Man who will bless us forever?

The Levitical priesthood could not produce the gift of resurrection perfection for the people. This could not come through the Law. The key to resurrection is not the exact achievement of ceremonial righteousness. We needed a great Man to bring His own complete moral perfection, and then to be both Priest and Sacrifice for us. If Levitical excellence could have provided what we need for eternal life, David would never have written about a different priesthood and an eternal priest in Psalm 110.

This change in the priesthood is a change from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. The Levitical priests were a necessary component of Old Testament worship according to the Law of Moses. Now we need only one great Priest after the order of Melchizedek. The Messiah King would come from Judah, and therefore could not have possibly been a Levitical priest. In Jesus the Levitical methods of ceremonial righteousness are over. The Substance has come. The shadows must fade away.

It was not enough for the Messianic Priest to reveal Himself as being a descendant of David from the tribe of Judah. There were many descendants of King David, and none of them came from heaven, none of them could have been a priest forever. But Jesus had the power of an indestructible life. Because of His divine nature and His perfect righteousness, death could have no hold over Him. He has demonstrated who He is through His resurrection.

One Law must be set aside, because it does not have resurrection power. A new hope is introduced to the people of God through our union with the new Man. In Him we have a solid resurrection assurance. Even now we can draw near to God through Jesus Christ in a way that was impossible through the old rituals of the Law.

Psalm 110 draws our intention to the solemn oath of God in providing us a new Priest. “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.'” God has put His Name on this new age of resurrection life. He will not violate His sure promise.

The period of the Law was outwardly very impressive; the temple, the priestly garments, the Levitical choirs, the moving rituals of sacrifice; all of these were something to behold. But there is something much more impressive than what we can see with our eyes. The spectacular worship of the Old Testament has given way to Jesus Christ, the Man from heaven, the Man of the resurrection.

The priests of the old system died. Jesus died too, but in three days He rose again, as He had promised beforehand to His disciples. Now He is a priest forever. He still intercedes for the people of God.

The old priests could not save anyone. Jesus saves His people forever. The old priests had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer ceremonial sacrifices for the people. Jesus has no sin. His sacrifice of Himself was entirely for our sin. The old priests had to perform their rituals every day, because they could not actually turn away the wrath of God. The death of Jesus was once for all time and accomplished our liberation.

There is no ceremony that man can invent or that God will devise that can do what Jesus has done. He is the King of Righteousness. He is the King of Peace. He is the Son of God. He is a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.