BETTER THAN A SHADOW

Hebrews 7:1–10 CSB

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace. Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him. The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers and sisters—though they have also descended from Abraham. But one without this lineage collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case, men who will die receive a tenth, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives. And in a sense Levi himself, who receives a tenth, has paid a tenth through Abraham, for he was still within his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Main Idea: Jesus is better than any shadow of the Bible.

Key Question: Do you see how Jesus is better?

1. A shadow is established. (v. 1-4)

A. A shadow established by God (v. 1)

Hebrews 7:1 CSB

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings,

Genesis 14:17–20 CSB

After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley (that is, the King’s Valley). Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

B. A shadow of peace and righteousness (v. 2)

Hebrews 7:2 CSB

and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace.

C. A shadow of eternity (v. 3)

Hebrews 7:3 CSB

Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

D. A shadow of giving (v. 4)

Hebrews 7:4 CSB

Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him.

2. A better shadow that supersedes. (v. 5-10)

A. A shadow that supersedes by position. (v. 5-7)

Hebrews 7:5–7 CSB

The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers and sisters—though they have also descended from Abraham. But one without this lineage collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior.

B. A shadow that supersedes existence. (v. 8-10)

Hebrews 7:8–10 CSB

In the one case, men who will die receive a tenth, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives. And in a sense Levi himself, who receives a tenth, has paid a tenth through Abraham, for he was still within his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

JESUS IS BETTER THAN ANY SHADOW!

Jesus is our priest established by God

Hebrews 5:6 CSB

also says in another place, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:25 CSB

Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.

Peace & righteousness

Isaiah 9:6–7 CSB

For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.

Romans 5:1–2 CSB

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

priest for eternity

Hebrews 5:6 CSB

also says in another place, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 13:8 CSB

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

worthy of our giving

Proverbs 3:9 CSB

Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest;

Honor by position

Ephesians 1:20–23 CSB

He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Honor by existence

Revelation 22:13 CSB

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.