HEBREWS HEB7

Jesus like Melchizedek – able to save completely Hebrews 7

Introduction: In Hebrews 4:14-5:10, Jesus the Son of God was introduced as the great high priest. Then came the warning and encouragement of 5:11-6:20, in the final verse of which Jesus appears as the great high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Chapter 7 develops this Melchizedek relationship, while chs.8-10 explain Jesus’ high priestly functions. In ch. 7 we look first at Melchizedek (1-10), then at Jesus (11-28).

1. Melchizedek the King/priest

In the ancient east the concept of Priest/Kings was common. Their exalted position gave them licence to live in gross sin, as they were above law. God never permitted this in Israel: King and Priest were kept as separate ministries. The priest could not usurp the Kingly office, while the King had to conform to the law and honour the priesthood. See Uzziah in 2 Chron. 2616-19.

In Israel the office of King and Priest come together only in the Messiah and this is typified not by the Kings and priests of Israel but by the unique figure of Melchizedek who appears before the birth of the nation of Israel (Gen 14:17-20), and who figures in the Messianic Ps. 110.

a. Melchizedek’s characteristics (7:1-3)

What are the characteristics of Mechizedek which are listed in vs. 1-3?

*Note: Salem probably is Jerusalem, making Melchizedek a pre-Israel Gentile King of that ancient city.

Verse 3 does not mean that he had no parents etc., but that nothing is recorded; he enters and leaves the record at Gen 14. It is in this apparent timelessness that he resembles the Son of God.

How do his titles link him with the Messiah? (2)

Think about Jer. 23:5,6; 33:15,16; Is. 9:6; 32:1,17).

b. Melchizedek’s greatness (4-10)

In what ways is Melchizedek greater than Abraham? (4,6)

How does the writer reason that Melchizedek as King/Priest is superior to the Levitical priesthood? (6-10).

2. Jesus the King-Priest

a. Jesus’ priesthood (of which Melchizedek was the `type’) is superior to the Levitical priesthood.

He attains perfect salvation for us. Why was this perfection not attainable under the Levitical priesthood? (11,19,23-25,27)

Under the law priests had to be from the tribe of Levi.

What tribe was Jesus from? (14).

So this represented a change in the law (12) and a new arrangement is set up under the one priest-Jesus-who lives for ever (15-17).

Why is this new arrangement, with Jesus as priest for ever, better than the old arrangement? (18,19)

b. Jesus’ priesthood comes with a superior covenant.

All God’s power backs up His appointment of Jesus, that He is to be priest for ever

(20-22). How does that differ from the old structure? (23,24).

What is the benefit to us? (25)

How does that differ from the old structure? Contrast vs. 26 with vs. 27,28. Itemise the details involved.

Think:

What is the practical significance to us of vs. 25 – in terms of our salvation, and our daily experience of it?

How do the five characteristics of Jesus (26) meet our need?

How was it sufficient for Jesus to offer himself for our sins `once for all’? (27, final part)

In what way was the Son of God made `perfect for ever’? (28). Remember our discussion on 5:7-10.