Hebrews 7:1-17

, like all of the book of Hebrews, is given to us to exalt the Name and Person of Jesus Christ. The author points to Melchizedek, the king and priest we meet in , as a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Genesis 14:18–20 NASB95

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all.

In we see the patriarch Abraham go off to rescue his nephew, Lot, who had been captured by a coalition of kings. Abraham gathered up his trained men, 318 in all, and went after his nephew. He defeated the kings and brought Lot, his family, and all his captured possessions back.

Introduction

says,

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all. ()

Genesis 14:18–20 NASB95

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all.

, like all of the book of Hebrews, is given to us to exalt the Name and Person of Jesus Christ. The author points to Melchizedek, the king and priest we meet in , as a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is all the Bible says about the historical Melchizedek. He was king of the city of Salem, and a priest of God Most High. That isn’t very much information, but Melchizedek was so important in the eternal purpose of God that David wrote about him about 1,000 years later, in , which gives a prophetic picture of Jesus Christ.

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” [Jesus applies this to Himself in ; Peter applies it to Jesus in ; the writer of Hebrews applies it to Jesus in ] 2 The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” 3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; in holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” ()

In we see the patriarch Abraham go off to rescue his nephew, Lot, who had been captured by a coalition of kings. Abraham gathered up his trained men, 318 in all, and went after his nephew. He defeated the kings and brought Lot, his family, and all his captured possessions back.

Why bring up Melchizedek in ? It’s because the recipients of this letter, as I have reminded you every week since we started our study in Hebrews, were tempted to abandon the truth of the Gospel and the authority of Christ for their old religion, the practices and rites and traditions of the Temple. Their decision could not reduced to a mere difference of opinion; it was quite literally a matter of heaven or hell, as we saw in .

The Holy Spirit gave the church this letter because apostasy is a constant reality. Those who are firm in their faith must be fed on the good Word of God, and kept strong in their faith. Those who are weak in their faith must be strengthened for their good and the glory of God. Those who are merely pretending to be Christians must be warned and confronted and even shocked by the consequences of choosing human religious tradition over Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

The Holy Spirit gave the church this letter because apostasy is a constant reality. Those who are firm in their faith must be fed on the good Word of God, and kept strong in their faith. Those who are weak in their faith must be strengthened for their good and the glory of God. Those who are merely pretending to be Christians must be warned confronted and challenged and even shocked by the consequences of choosing human religious tradition over Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

Obviously, some of the Jews arguing against Jesus and His Gospel might have said, “But the Old Testament was given 1,400 years before Jesus was born – surely that gives it precedence over anything Jesus taught!”

So the author reaches back to a time hundreds of years before the before the birth of Moses, to the time of Abraham, to show that His ordination of Christ as High Priest of the New Covenant was sealed in Israel’s history long before the Law of Moses was given.

says,

Hebrews 7:1–3 NASB95

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

How does Melchizedek give us a picture of Jesus Christ?

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all. ()

We are told that Melchizedek’s name means king of righteousness. In Jesus is called “Yahweh our Righteousness.” Righteousness is the unique possession of the Triune God. He alone is righteous. He is the standard of all righteousness. He reigns in righteousness. He rules in righteousness. He judges in righteousness. calls Jesus “the Holy and Righteous One.” says that Jesus “became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.”

We are told that Melchizedek was the king of Salem, which means king of peace. Kings were not peaceful, as a rule. Kings were those who had the power and strength to take land, capture cities, and rule over others by force.

This is all the Bible says about the historical Melchizedek. He was king of the city of Salem, and a priest of God Most High. That isn’t very much information, but Melchizedek was so important in the eternal purpose of God that David wrote about him about 1,000 years later, in , which gives a prophetic picture of Jesus Christ.

Now, for the sake of full disclosure, Jesus said, as far as the world is concerned, that He came to bring division and conflict:

Matthew 10:34–38 NASB95

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. “For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

Matthew 10:37–38 NASB95

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

The world cannot expect peace from the Lord Jesus, only tribulation because of sin.

37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” ()

The world cannot expect peace from the Lord Jesus, only tribulation because of sin. That’s not a popular opinion, I know, but it’s what Jesus Himself said.

The world cannot expect peace from the Lord Jesus, only tribulation because of sin.

1 The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” 2 The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” 3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” ()

On the other hand, His people can expect to experience peace. He said to His disciples,

But to those who believe in Him, to those who love Him and trust Him, to those who obey Him as Lord, Jesus says exactly the opposite:

John 14:27 NASB95

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” ()

This is not OUR version of peace, but His. It is peace that stays, peace that lasts, peace that holds us firmly to Him in the midst of every trouble of life.

Why bring up Melchizedek in ? It’s because the recipients of this letter, as I have reminded you every week since we started our study in Hebrews, were tempted to abandon the truth of the Gospel and the authority of Christ for their old religion, the practices and rites and traditions of the Temple. Their decision could not be reduced to a mere difference of opinion; it was quite literally a matter of heaven or hell, as we saw in .

This is not OUR version of peace, but His. It is peace that stays, peace that lasts, peace that holds us firmly to Him in the midst of every trouble of life.

The Holy Spirit gave the church this letter because apostasy is a constant reality. Those who are firm in their faith must be fed on the good Word of God, and kept strong in their faith. Those who are weak in their faith must be strengthened for their good and the glory of God. Those who are merely pretending to be Christians must be warned and confronted and even shocked by the consequences of choosing human religious tradition over Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

For the world and the wicked, Jesus Christ is the Righteous Judge. For His people, for those who love Him and trust Him and follow Him as Lord, Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.

Obviously, some of the Jews arguing against Jesus and His Gospel might have said, “But the Old Testament was given 1,400 years before Jesus was born – surely that gives it precedence over anything Jesus taught!”

We are told that Melchizedek was made like a son of God. Scripture makes no mention of his father, mother, genealogy, birth, or death. Even though he was merely a man chosen by God, he has the appearance of eternal existence. Because of that, his priesthood is described as an eternal priesthood.

And that eternal priesthood points directly to the Lord Jesus, who IS eternal, and who is our everlasting High Priest. Aaron was the first of countless priests under the Levitical Law. Jesus is the one and only Priest of the New Covenant. We’ll see more about this next week, but I’ll point you today to ,

Hebrews 7:23–25 NASB95

The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Jesus is our only Priest. No one else serves as a priest in the New Covenant. There is no priesthood in the true church. Are there priests in human religious traditions? Of course, but they are ordained priests in contradiction to the Word of God and the very promise of the New Covenant.

Melchizedek was greater than Levi. In fact, Levi submitted himself to Melchizedek. When did that happen? Read on with me.

So the author reaches back to a time hundreds of years before the before the birth of Moses, to the time of Abraham, to show that His ordination of Christ as High Priest of the New Covenant was sealed in Israel’s history long before the Law of Moses was given. Melchizedek is given to us as a biblical ‘type’ of Christ, a foreshadowing picture of the Savior.

Melchizedek was greater than Levi. The Law of Moses calls for the priests to bless the people of Israel, and to receive tithes from the people of Israel. The Law never calls upon the priests to receive blessings from anyone, or to pay tithes to anyone. The greater blesses the lesser. The greater receives tithes from the lesser.

Hebrews 7:4–10 NASB95

Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. ()

The greater blesses the lesser; Melchizedek blessed Abraham, and all of Abraham’s descendants in him.

The Law of Moses calls for the priests to bless the people of Israel, and to receive tithes from the people of Israel. The Law never calls upon the priests to receive blessings from anyone, or to pay tithes to anyone. The greater blesses the lesser. The greater receives tithes from the lesser.

The lesser brings offerings through the greater. Abraham, and all his descendants in him, paid tithes to Melchizedek.

says,

4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. ()

I know, some might say, “Well, that’s a stretch.” And if it were some human scholar making that connection, I would agree. But this is what the Word of God says.

Fatherhood is very, very important in Scripture. All in Adam are guilty of sin at conception. All in Christ are righteous in Christ at the moment of salvation. These are biblical ideas, not theological theories.

So, Levi, whose descendants served in the temple, paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham.

None of this is said so that we would exalt Melchizedek, but so that we would recognize the exalted majesty of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 7:11 NASB95

Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?

Why raise up another priest? God doesn’t do anything for the sake of change. He has no need to break up the monotony. He brought about a change in the priesthood because the Levitical priesthood could never perfect anyone, justifying them, declaring the righteous.

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. ()

11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? ()

Psalm 110:4 NASB95

The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

The fact that the Lord sealed Melchizedek’s brief history in , and then point to him prophetically in , is proof that the Old Testament priesthood would one day be replaced with something better.

This was not for the sake of Melchizedek, but for the sake of establishing the supremacy of Jesus Christ in every aspect.

And it wasn’t just the priesthood that changed. says,

In we see why this matters:

How does Melchizedek give us a picture of Jesus Christ?

Why would the Lord promise another priest like Melchizedek, if the Levitical priesthood could perfect, or justify, sinners? Obviously, it’s a rhetorical question. The Law could not perfect anyone. The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin (). God doesn’t change things for the sake of change. He doesn’t alter things just to break up the monotony.

11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? ()

Hebrews 7:12–14 NASB95

For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

Why would the Lord promise another priest like Melchizedek, if the Levitical priesthood could perfect, or justify, sinners? Obviously, it’s a rhetorical question. The Law could not perfect anyone. The blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin (). God doesn’t change things for the sake of change. He doesn’t alter things just to break up the monotony.

We are told that Melchizedek’s name means king of righteousness. In Jesus is called “Yahweh our Righteousness.” Righteousness is the unique possession of the Triune God. He alone is righteous. He is the standard of all righteousness. He reigns in righteousness. He rules in righteousness. He judges in righteousness. calls Jesus “the Holy and Righteous One.” says that Jesus “became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.”

The Lord raised up another priest – Jesus Christ – according to another priesthood – Melchizedek’s eternal priesthood – in order to perfect, to justify, the unrighteous.

And it wasn’t just the priesthood that changed:

Priesthoods only exist to carry out religious law. That’s true no matter what kind of religion it happens to be. Since the Lord determined to raise up another priest, there had to be a change in the Law. After all, Jesus was not of the tribe of Levi, and so He couldn’t have served as an Old Testament priest.

12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. ()

And so Jesus brought about a change in the Law. This is important, now. Jesus did destroy the Law. He didn’t overthrow it, or set is aside. He certainly never broke the Law, although He frequently violated the traditions of the Jews.

No, Jesus fulfilled the Law. He perfected it. He satisfied its requirements.

says,

Romans 8:3–4 NASB95

For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

A priesthood exists to carry out a Law. And so the Law itself was changed. Not destroyed. Not overthrown. Not set aside. Not broken. Fulfilled. Perfected. Satisfied. Brought to perfect completion. All through the sinless life of Jesus Christ, who kept the Law and satisfied the wrath of God against law breakers.

We are told that Melchizedek was the king of Salem, which means king of peace. Kings were not peaceful, as a rule. Kings were those who had the power and strength to take land, capture cities, and rule over others by force.

The Levitical priesthood was passed down from generation to generation. As long as a man was of the tribe of Levi, and the family of Aaron, and met the basic physical qualifications, he would become a priest. There were no doubt many godly and sincere men who served as priests, but there were also many who were corrupt and wicked. You don’t have to look very far. Aaron’s own sons, Nadab and Abihu, offered strange fire before the Lord, and fire from heaven consumed them. The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, are called worthless men who did not know the Lord (), and were killed by God because of their sins, which included defiling the sacrifices and committing fornication.

But Jesus’ priesthood was not based on mere physical descent. His priesthood was according to the power of His indestructible life; that is, His resurrection and eternal nature.

Now, for the sake of full disclosure, Jesus said, as far as the world is concerned, that He came to bring division and conflict:

Old Testament priests were raised in the family business, as it were. A boy in the tribe of Levi would grow up to become a priest. He was not specially chosen for this; it was a matter of birth. He needed no unique qualifications; it was a matter of birth. No priest could say, “I am a priest because I am worthy!”; it was simply a matter of birth. Frankly, becoming a priest had nothing to do with personal faith or devotion to God; it was simply a matter of birth.

But Jesus could not, and did not, serve as a Levitical High Priest. He served, as it were, as a Melchizedekian High Priest.

15 And this is clearer still, if [better understood as ‘since,’ a first-class conditional] another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement [as did every Levitical priest], but according to the power of an indestructible life [confirmed through His resurrection]. 17 For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” ()

But Jesus could not, and did not, serve as a Levitical High Priest. He served, as it were, as a Melchizedekian High Priest.

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; 36 and A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. ()

Hebrews 7:15–17 NASB95

And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

15 And this is clearer still, if [better understood as ‘since,’ a first-class conditional] another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement [as did every Levitical priest], but according to the power of an indestructible life [confirmed through His resurrection]. 17 For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” ()

The world cannot expect peace from the Lord Jesus, only tribulation because of sin. That’s not a popular opinion, I know, but it’s what Jesus Himself said.

So the point of is really very simple. The Levitical priesthood, created by God, and carried out as a temporary measure until the fulness of time, was replaced by a singular priesthood, occupied by One Divine Person, Jesus Christ. The Levitical priesthood could not justify anyone, but the priesthood of Jesus Christ can and does justify sinners, and does so perfectly and for all time.

really makes a simple point. The Old Testament priesthood, a priesthood created by God, and carried out according to the will of God, was never intended to be the means by which sinners were justified. As says, no one was ever perfected by the old priesthood. It was there as a reminder of the tremendous barrier that existed between Holy God and sinful mankind.

On the other hand, His people can expect to experience peace. He said to His disciples,

How wonderful, and what an incredible relief, that Jesus Christ utterly changed all of this, and made a way for all of us – Jew, Gentile, free man, slave, man, woman – to come before the Father through Christ in Spirit and in truth.

27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. ()

The Lord’s Table

The peace Jesus gives us is not OUR vision of peace, but His. It isn’t temporary relief from our circumstances, but peace that stays, peace that lasts, peace that holds us firmly to Him in the midst of every trouble of life.

The Lord’s Table

For the world and the wicked, Jesus Christ is the Righteous Judge. For His people, for those who love Him and trust Him and follow Him as Lord, Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.

(with thanks to the London Baptist Confession of 1689)

Celebrating the Lord’s Table together is a wonderful way to acknowledge and celebrate these truths.

We believe that God was pleased, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them, to be the mediator between Holy God and sinful man. The Father gave the elect to the Son in eternity past. Through the death and resurrection of Christ in history, and the perfect work of the Holy Spirit in time, God’s people are redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified in Him, reconciled to our God.

Jesus gladly undertook His sacrificial work. He was born under the Law and perfectly fulfilled it, demonstrating His own holiness and righteousness. He suffered the penalty for sin that we deserved, the very same penalty the lost face at this very moment. He was made sin and a curse for us. He was crucified and buried, and did not decay, but was raised on the third day with the same body that was crucified and buried. He ascended into heaven, where He ceaselessly intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father, carrying out the fulfillment of His priestly work.

By the gracious gift of faith, we who believe have called upon the name of Jesus Christ to save our souls. By the gracious work of the Holy Spirit, we who believe have been born again, converted, transformed, so that we live for His glory and not our own comfort or pleasure.

The gracious gift of faith enables the elect to believe so that their souls are saved; it is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and produced by the proclamation of the Scriptures. By this faith Christians believe to be true everything revealed in the Word, recognizing it as the authority of God Himself. Saving faith is focused directly on Christ Himself — accepting, receiving, and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.

The Lord Jesus gladly undertook this ministry. To carry it out, He was born under the law and perfectly fulfilled it. He also experienced the punishment that we deserved and that we should have endured and suffered. He was made sin and a curse for us. He was crucified and died and remained in a state of death, yet His body did not decay. On the third day He arose from the dead with the same body in which He suffered. In this body He also ascended into heaven, where He sits at the right hand of His Father, interceding. He will return to judge men and angels at the end of the age.

The Lord’s Table is not restricted by anything but the faith of the person. If your faith is in Jesus Christ alone, your life is committed to Him for His daily use and glory, and you are grateful to have been saved by His mercy and kindness, then come and proclaim the Lord’s death as your life and hope.

We are told that Melchizedek was made like a son of God. Scripture makes no mention of his father, mother, genealogy, birth, or death. Even though he was merely a man chosen by God, he has the appearance of eternal existence. Because of that, his priesthood is described as an eternal priesthood.

Jesus Christ has fully satisfied the justice of God, obtained reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for His people.

The gracious gift of faith enables the elect to believe so that their souls are saved; it is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and produced by the proclamation of the Scriptures. By this faith Christians believe to be true everything revealed in the Word, recognizing it as the authority of God Himself. Saving faith is focused directly on Christ Himself — accepting, receiving, and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.

And that eternal priesthood points directly to the Lord Jesus, who IS eternal, and who is our everlasting High Priest. Aaron was the first of countless priests under the Levitical Law. Jesus is the one and only Priest of the New Covenant. We’ll see more about this next week, but I’ll point you today to ,

This is what we believe as we come to the Lord’s table.

23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. ()