Hebrews 7:1-10

Hebrews 7:1-10 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, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people — that is, their brothers — even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

As a man, Melchizedek's kingdom and life did not last forever--both ceased. However, the nature of his priesthood did last forever. His priesthood, righteousness, and peace came directly from God. His position as a mediator between man and God, his priestly authority, was exactly like Jesus' position between God and man, but he could not wash away the sins of mankind. Only the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ accomplished that. The author of Hebrews contrasts Melchizedek's position and reign with the Jewish priesthood. The Levites received their authority from the Law of Moses while Melchizedek's authority came directly from God's throne. Therefore, Melchizedek's priesthood was greater than the priesthood of the Law. Abraham, whose seed begat Levi, confirmed this by giving his tithe to Melchizedek. The lesser man gave tithes to the greater, and the greater man gave blessings to the lesser. Abraham received the blessing of Melchizedek because his priesthood was in a direct line to God and would never die. God heard this priest's petitions without the requirement of the blood of bulls and goats just as Jesus does not sacrifice animals before petitioning God. The Levitical priesthood in all practical terms has already died out, for their power came from the Law, which Jesus Christ fulfilled through his life, death, and resurrection.

What does Melchizedek have to do with us today? The author of Hebrews makes the case that we are no longer under the auspices of the Law, for we are under a greater priesthood than the Levites. The blood of bulls and goats could not make us right with God, but the blood of Jesus Christ secured our acceptance by God. Jesus stands before Father God as our perfect mediator, where He alone reveals God's face for us. We are blessed by God because Jesus presents our petitions directly to the Father. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have a face-to-face relationship with God. The Levites could not present the Jews directly to God. The best they could do was to stay the wrath of God by covering the Jewish people's sins through the sacrifice of bulls and goats. They came back each year to present the same sacrifices for the sins of men, but Jesus' sacrifice was once and for all. He did not have to die again and again for man's sins; therefore, his priesthood is greater than the Levitical priesthood. Under his priesthood and authority, we possess life eternal because we are now living in his domain, literally IN HIM.

The author of Hebrews desires us to be free from the law of sin and death, the law that could not make us free. The law could only bring us into bondage by revealing our failures. But we are no longer under its authority; we are under the priesthood of Jesus Christ, who set us free from sin and death through his finished work at the cross. We are free to live in Christ, to fulfill his desires for our lives. We are free to live in joy and not fear, for we are no longer under the eternal consequences of sin. Should we go on sinning to prove God's wonderful grace and the efficacy of his blood? No, born-again children of God bring ourselves under the authority of God's righteousness by living lives that reveal his goodness, mercy, and love. Members of God's household do not live good or loving lives to earn our place in the family: we live to reflect God's righteousness and his glory.

If we continue as liars, thieves, or adulterers, will the world see God in our lives? Will the world see God's light and recognize us as his children if we continually live on the dark side of life? No, when people love someone, they desire to please their beloved. If we love Jesus, we will want to please him in everything. We will discipline our lives to honor and to serve him, for we know He is the faithful lover of our souls. Sinful man remains unfaithful in what he says and does, but God is faithful; therefore, we should remain faithful to him. Jesus Christ reflects the eternal order of the Melchizedek priesthood as He stands before God, blessing us. Consequently, we should bless him with our lives. The Bible equates this service with the tithes given to Melchizedek. However, we do not merely give God a tenth, but our whole lives, for He gave us new life through Christ, bringing us into right standing with him. Today, dear brothers and sisters, fall under his authority: trust him, follow him, and live lives that exemplify his goodness and grace. Shine as stars in the universe.