Jesus Is Better - 9

Jesus Is Better - 9

Introduction

There are currently 1,009,753 words in the English language. A couple weeks ago, the magazine Mental Floss suggested we take some foreign words and incorporate them into our language. Here are words that exist in other languages but not in English:

—Iktsuarpok (Inuit): You know that feeling of anticipation when you’re waiting for someone to show up at your house and you keep going outside to see if they’re there yet? This is that word.

—Mencolek (Indonesian): You know that old trick where you tap someone lightly on the opposite shoulder from behind to fool them? The Indonesians have a word for it.

—Kummerspeck (German): Excess weight gained from emotional overeating. Literally, grief bacon.

Now, these are pretty great words. Wish we had them in English. Being able to talk about “grief bacon” would really help me. We need some of these words. These words remind us that there often exists a cultural barrier between our culture and other cultures.

TS - As humanity spreads over the world, we’ve come to understand that one culture doesn’t always translate into others. Some things get lost in translation. Today, we’re going to look at a passage where this is absolutely the case. One of Hebrews’ big arguments is that Jesus is a High Priest, one who represents us before God. Now, the writer of Hebrews finally turns the corner to tell us that Jesus is a very special kind of High Priest: 

- “…Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

This is now the third time Hebrews has said this. Who is Melchizedek? What in the world does he have to do with Jesus? Why reference him? Think of the original audience. They were Christians from Jewish background. Intimately familiar with OT Scriptures (though he is only mentioned 2x in OT). When the writer of Hebrews said something about Melchizedek, they knew, more than we do, who he was talking about.

We have to go all the way back to to find out about Melchizedek. At this point in time, Abraham has just come off of a great military victory. Nine kings were warring, Abraham’s nephew Lot got caught up in the crossfire. He ended up being taken captive by one of the kings. One of Lot’s servants escapes and tells Abram what happened. He charges in to rescue Lot. In the dead of night, he and 318 men raid the enemy camp and rescue Lot. 

So, Abram has just come out of this massive victory. Has saved his family. Has taken some plunder. Things are going great. It’s at this point that an unknown man named Melchizedek shows up. 

- “After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, ‘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!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

This priest of God shows up. Keep in mind, this is centuries before the actual OT priesthood is established. Melchizedek predates Aaron and the Levitical priests by 850 years. He shows up and offers Abraham bread and wine to celebrate. He then pronounces a great blessing over Abraham. 

In response, Abraham takes the unprecedented step of tithing to Melchizedek. Gives him a tenth of all he owns. Again, this is hundreds of years before the tithe is established. Then, Melchizedek just vanishes. Now, I want you to notice how Melchizedek is described in these verses. Genesis tells us a lot of interesting facts about this obscure character: 

—Melchizedek is both a priest and a king. He is both the “King of Salem” and a “priest of God Most High.” This was very rare to see in the ancient world. In fact, kings of Israel were condemned for acting like priests. Melchizedek holds both offices. 

—Melchizedek is described as the “King of Salem.” On its name alone, Salem is derived from the Hebrew word “Shalom,” the word for “peace.” Salem is an early name for Jerusalem – the city of David. He is not the King of Scranton or something like that. He is the King of the city where King David will reign and Jesus will be crucified. He’s the King of the city that serves as a symbol of God’s coming eternal Kingdom. 

—Melchizedek’s name literally translates as “King of Righteousness.” Righteousness carries the idea of being right with God. He is just. He’s holy. He obeys the Lord. He doesn’t just dwell in righteousness. He reigns over it. 

Beyond what is said about Melchizedek, notice what isn’t said about him. Critical information is left out of the text’s description of this priestly King. 

—no info on Melchizedek’s origins. Where does he come from? He just appears, blesses Abraham, takes his money, and runs. 

—Melchizedek is given no genealogy. This is weird, particularly for someone so important. Kings rely on genealogy, it’s how they got the job. All missing from the biblical record.

This all leads to Melchizedek becoming a mysterious figure. Don’t know much about him. Don’t know how he became a priest or king. He shows up and leaves in three verses. From this point on in Genesis, there’s nothing about him. He’s a blip on the radar. And then, out of left field, he randomly shows up again. About 1000 years later, King David is writing one of his psalms and mentions him in . We’ve heard part of this psalm already in Hebrews. Here’s some more of it: 

- “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’”

There’s this clear Messianic text pointing us toward Jesus. Looking forward to this coming King – a new and greater King than Israel ever had before. He’s a king who will clothe His people in righteousness. He’s a king who will be a priest. He’s a King who will be like Melchizedek. 

Which finally brings us to . The writer of Hebrews has been arguing since back in chapter 4 that Jesus is our High Priest. Not just any High Priest, but a better High Priest than the world has ever known. Now, he will prove that’s true by appealing to Melchizedek. 

- “…Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.”

TS - These two paragraphs represent two parts of his argument. Hebrews has in mind to show us why the priesthood of Melchizedek – and why the priesthood of Jesus – matters to us. 

1. THE MELCHIZEDEKIAN PRIESTHOOD IS LEGITIMATE Melchizedek was a legitimate priest, which means that Jesus can be a priest. One of the objections a Jewish person would have had to Jesus’ priesthood is that Jesus didn’t come from the priestly family. In the OT, priests had to come from the tribe of Levi. The NT tells us that Jesus was born of the tribe of Judah. 

So, how could Jesus fill that office? Well, Hebrews reminds them that lineage doesn’t matter in Melchizedek’s priesthood. Why? Because Melchizedek didn’t have a lineage. Don’t know who his mother/father were. Beyond that, he couldn’t come from the tribe of Levi, because he lived centuries before Levi was born.

Melchizedek wasn’t a priest because he was born into the right family. Wasn’t a priest because He had the right genealogy. Melchizedek was a priest because God said he was a priest. Same is true for Jesus. 

2. THE MELCHIZEDEKIAN PRIESTHOOD IS SUPERIOR

It’s not just that this priesthood is legitimate; it’s actually better than the Levitical priests. Why? Melchizedek blessed Abraham. The greater blesses the lesser. So, the writer of Hebrews offers, Melchizedek was actually greater than Abraham. Even Abraham sees this…he gave him the tithe. 

So, what does this have to do with the priesthood? Well, if Melchizedek is greater than Abraham, then that means he is greater than Abraham’s descendants. He is greater than Levi. He’s greater than the High Priest Aaron. If Melchizedek is greater than Abraham, he’s greater than any other priest ever! 

Ultimately, here’s what Hebrews’ argument boils down to: Jesus is a High Priest because Melchizedek was a High Priest. Jesus is a better High Priest because Melchizedek’s priesthood is superior. Jesus’ priesthood not based on genealogy, but on the appointment and calling of God. Not only CAN Jesus be our high priest, he is the best one to represent us. Now…this doesn’t seem all that relevant to us. This is where people stop reading Hebrews. What difference does it make? Why does this matter?

Hebrews tells us. In the next 15 verses Hebrews will tell us why this idea and doctrine matters. 3 Reasons why Jesus as our High Priest matters to us. Because Jesus is a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, we have A BETTER LAW, A BETTER HOPE, and A BETTER RELATIONSHIP. 

1. BETTER LAW 

- “Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.”

A new priest requires a new kind of law. Part of what we’re going to see in the coming weeks is how this new covenant we’re under is different. But, for now, let’s focus in on what he says about the Levitical priests here. The job of the Levitical priests was to uphold the OT Levitical Law. They would tell you how you fell short and what you needed to do to make it right. Here are the requirements, the sacrifices.

Jesus isn’t one of those kinds of priests. He doesn’t operate under that Law. That Law said that only Levites could be priests. Jesus was from the tribe of Judah. Can’t represent us… unless, He’s a priest from Melchizedek’s line. So here is what that means…not only is Jesus the King who sets the Law, He’s the priest who represents you when you break the Law. He’s not just the King who calls for your obedience. He is the priest who offers you forgiveness for your disobedience. 

The Law may stand against me, but the One who is over the Law stands with me. He hasn’t left me defenseless. He hasn’t abandoned me in my disobedience. The King who could condemn me is also the priest who cleanses me. In fact, the author of Hebrews made this point way back in chapter four.

- “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

2. A BETTER HOPE 

- “This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’ For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”

This is why Jesus is our High Priest. It’s not because of where He came from, but because of what He did. He lived an “indestructible life.” The language points us back to the resurrection. The Jewish priests couldn’t kill Him. The Romans couldn’t destroy Him. Not even death could defeat Him. Jesus wasn’t a priest based on the way He was born, but based on the way He died. 

Like Melchizedek, Jesus’ genealogy was sketchy at best. Didn’t have the priestly credentials. Jesus’ priesthood was earned. God appointed him. His resurrection is the only credential he needs. More than that, Hebrews reminds us that the resurrection is a reminder of the hope we have. There at the end of verse 17, He reminds us that our greatest hope as Christians is that we can “draw near to God.” 

This isn’t just the hope of coming before Him now. It’s the hope we have that we will one day draw near Him in a very real way. The hope of heaven where we will be in His very presence.  

- “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’”

History is culminating in an event where we will draw near to God eternally. We will be with God – we will live with God – forever! It’s all because Jesus is our High Priest. Because He stands in God’s presence, we know that we will too! 

3. A BETTER RELATIONSHIP 

Hebrews teaches us that our relationship with Jesus is fundamentally different than any other relationship we know. 

- “And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.”

The Levitical priests had an expiration date. They were going to either retire from the priesthood or die. So, they wouldn’t always be there to intercede or to help. 

We may not have priests, but we understand this. We can all think of preachers, ministers, youth ministers we’ve had who are gone. Maybe they moved on. Maybe they retired. Some of them might have even died. Furthermore, we can all think of relationships where that has happened. Friends have moved to other parts of the country and left us behind. People closest to us have been gone in the blink of an eye. We live in a world where relationships are doomed to end. 

Here’s the good news about our relationship with Jesus. It won’t end! Nothing can take it away. It is guaranteed! The relationship we have with Him will never change. 

Two reasons it won’t change. The first is the resurrection. Jesus has already died and He won’t be doing it again! He lives forever. Because He lives, we know that we will, too! The second reason is that God has sworn an oath. God has promised that this is who Jesus is. He’s not changing His mind. In fact, there in verse 21, it blatantly says, ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind.” And remember what we read last week – it’s impossible for Him to lie! 

We have a better relationship with Jesus because we have the hope of permanence. He won’t let us down. He’s there when we need Him and He will always be there when we need Him. 

Conclusion

As you can see, this idea of Jesus as a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek is really important. We may not talk about it. May not even always understand it. But, it’s part of the hope we have. For as great as all these verses have been, however, there’s one final verse for us to look at. The crescendo of this entire passage: 

- “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

Jesus can save us to the “uttermost.” The word there has dual meaning…He can save us fully and He can save us forever. Never have to worry that there’s some part of us He can’t save, something He can’t forgive. Never have to worry that His love will eventually run out. He saves us in every possible way. 

And, the writer of Hebrews says, “…He always lives” for His people. To intercede for them. To forgive them. To love them. We always talk about how Jesus died for us, but He lives for us too. The life He lives now, the life He lives eternally, He lives for us. At the end of the day, doesn’t matter that you know Melchizedek. Matters that you know Jesus. He is our High Priest. He’s the One who stands in our defense. He’s the One who gives us hope. 

COMMUNION - bread and wine to celebrate the victory