Jesus Christ—–Our High Priest
Text: Book of Hebrews Chapter 7
As we study this Book of Hebrews we should not forget the Lord has a purpose for every word of this Bible.
These Hebrew believers, when converted to Christianity were suffering much persecution not only from the world but from their own old friends and family.
That’s the reason Jesus says He will be our friend and we can be in His family!
They had lost all their property and suffered public ridicule because of their faith!
That’s the reason Jesus says to earn the things of Heaven that can never be lost!
It is a fact that many of them were discouraged!
We must all realize that Our Lord Jesus Christ is alive today.
Jesus died BUT He arose from the dead and He is now in His greatest ministry!
Jesus Christ has been shown to be superior to all the doctrine of the Old Testament because He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.
He is superior to the prophets.
He is superior to the angels.
He is superior to Moses.
He is superior to Aaron.
Jesus Christ is at the heart of the doctrine of this Book of Hebrews.
The entire Bible was given to us to show the superiority of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is the Bible that separates Christianity from all religions.
Christianity is not a religion, IT IS SIMPLY THE TRUTH!
Jesus was sinless and therefore able to pay our sin debt!
Jesus is now in the presence of Our Father to intercede on our behalf!
Jesus will endure forever, so we can endure forever!
Jesus is Holy, Jesus is Innocent, Jesus is undefiled, Jesus is separate from all sin, Jesus is exalted to Heaven, and Jesus is our High Priest!
As our permanent High Priest, who also was made the propitiation of our sin, Jesus has shown us that He will always be a part of each believer!
Our Savior is alive, no religion can makes this claim!
There is no other sacrifice that Jesus will make for our sin!
There is only judgment that will come from being disobedient to His Words!
Jesus Christ provides a complete salvation!
This group of Hebrew believers had to decide how this Book of Hebrews was going to affect their lives and we should also.
Our Text:
Heb 7:1 [For] this Melchisedec, [king of Salem, priest of the most high God], who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
The word “for” reminds us of Hebrews 6:20:
Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
We have seen many “types” in our study of the Bible and Melchisedec is another “type” of Christ for us to learn from.
It was way back in the Book of Genesis where we met this Melchisedec:
Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek [king of Salem] brought forth bread and wine: and [he was the priest of the most high God].
In the Old Testament, in the time of kings, the Throne of the King of Israel and the Levitical Priesthood were separated.
In fact no Israelite ever held the position of King-Priest!
No one but a descendant of Levi in particularly Aaron, could hold the office of the Levitical order of High Priest!
Abraham had been called of God to leave his home in what is now Iraq. It was full of pagan worship then and it is still full of false religion in our day.
Abraham was sent to look for a city that was built by The Lord!
Abraham was not sent to look for a city built by Allah!
Abraham would never have met Melchisedec had he not obeyed the Lord!
Not one of us will ever come to know the King of Kings, and the Prince of Peace, The Lord Jesus Christ, until we are willing to leave all pagan vain religions and all the bondage of our sinful past.
We should also note that this meeting with Melchisedec occurred as Abraham was returning from the defence of his family
God expects us to defend our families from those of this evil world that would cause us harm!
AND, We see that Melchisedec was not some counterfeit priest!
Melchisedec was truly a priest of the Most High God and he fulfilled his duties as a priest in the city of Salem at that time!
*****Heb 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
We can see that “tithing” was in place for at least 500 years before the Law of Moses!
Tithing then is not a law BUT it is a principle of God!
God provides 100% our needs and only requires ten percent in return to Him!
The word “tithe” means a tenth!
The Bible states that Melchisedec was a King of Peace!
Melchisedec was a King of Righteousness!
Melchisedec was truly a Priests of the Most High God!
SO, What is the meaning of the name Melchisedec!
1.) The Hebrew word “Melek”, which means “king”
2.) The Hebrew word “tsedek” which means “righteousness”
So the name Melchisedek means King of Righteousness.
The Prophet Jeremiah wrote these words to Israel:
Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The prophet Isaiah wrote these words:
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
All these things will be fulfilled at the Second Coming of Our Lord!
For He is the true King of Righteousness!
For He is the true King of Peace!
For He is truly our Great High Priest of the Most High God!
In the Book of Genesis it says that when Melchisedec came to Abraham, he also brought bread and wine.
The Bible says of Jesus in the Book of Mark:
Mar 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
Mar 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
Mar 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
We can see again that there so many things we can learn from the Old Testament.
BUT, There are only three verses about Melchisedec in the Old Testament.
SO, Every Word of God is important!
*****Heb 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
Heb 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Melchisedec was just a man but we have no record of a father or mother but he had to have a father and a mother!
There is no record of his genealogy!
There is no record of his birth nor his death!
We know that almost all great men of the Bible have a written record of their birth and their death!
AND, It was especially important for a priest to prove his ancestry.
It is not that Melchisedec did not have these things, it is that we have no written record of these things!
Melchisedec was not an angel!
He was real man, who was a real king, and who was a real priest of the Most High God!
This is the picture or a “type” of what we should see in our Great High Priest!
Jesus Christ did die BUT That cross was not His ending because He arose from that death and lives eternally!
When these things are applied to this message to these Hebrew believers, neither Aaron nor his descendants could claim to have an endless ministry!
They could also never claim to be King and Priest!
There is only one who could fulfill all these things and His name is Jesus, a name above all other names.
The Only Begotten Son of God!
In the words of Jesus:
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
*****Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
The Jewish people believe strongly in “racial solidarity”.
They were taught this by the Word of God.
Aaron and his descendants had not yet been born but would truly be formed in the loins of Abraham.
So, if Abraham acknowledged Melchisedec then they should have too.
If Abraham paid tithes then they should not object to paying tithes to the Priests of God.
Our Lord Jesus existed before the time of Abraham so this did not involve Him except to note that in His flesh He was of the line of Abraham:
Jesus said:
Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, [I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am].
*****Heb 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, [and blessed him that had the promises].
Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Melchisedec was not from the line of Abraham and could not have come from the tribe Levi!
Melchisedec was truly a Gentile who was a king and priest of the Most High God!
We also see here that it was Melchisedek that blesses Abraham!
BUT, We need to realize that this Book of Hebrews is not comparing Melchisedec with the person of Christ Jesus!
IT IS, comparing Melchisedec in his role as priest only!
The point to be made here is that Melchisedec in his role as king-priest was in fact superior to the Levitical Priesthood of Aaron and his descendants.
The Priesthood of Our Lord Jesus is much greater than the priesthood of Aaron and his descendants AND, it is also eternal!
Abraham brought tithes to this man and received a blessing but he also received things to meet his needs, the wine and the bread!
These things also have a deeper spiritual meaning that we will have to take up at some other time!
We should also see that blessings do come to those that obey the Lord in tithing to the church!
*****Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Heb 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
Heb 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Levitical tithing was based on a legal obligation under the law BUT here we see that Abraham’s act of tithing was voluntary and spontaneous.
The Levitical priesthood was supported by God’s people by law.
The Church is to be supported by God’s people!
This Melchisedec had no rights under the law to receive tithes. So Abraham’s actions puts Melchisedek’s type of priesthood on another level from the priesthood of Aaron.
The Levitical priesthood did not bring blessings.
The Levitical priesthood never brought perfection.
The Levitical priesthood never gave redemption or acceptance of God to the people.
God blessed Israel because of the promises He made to Abraham!
AND, Because there was a New Covenant there also had to be a New Priesthood!
Melchisedec was a “type” of that new priesthood.
AND, Here again as a “type” of Christ, as we receive blessings because of the promises of God and those blessings are from His eternal High Priest!
*****Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
It should be understood that God would not begin a new priesthood without terminating the old priesthood.
God will not ever continue in a system that does not bring perfection!
For the old Levitical priesthood to be abolished, the foundation which was the law had to be replaced!
The covenant made with Moses at Sinai was a conditional covenant!
The teaching, that salvation depends on our ability to keep a set of rules are called by the Bible, moral commands, that can never bring us spiritual maturity!
We know that The Lord Jesus came from the tribe of Judah not the priestly tribe of Levi so the priesthood had to be changed!
*****Heb 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Since Jesus came from the family of David, the tribe of Judah, it would have been impossible for him to assume the office of a Levitical priest!
If Jesus Christ is to be a priest it would have to be a different order and this is why He was appointed by His Father as a priest in order of Melchisedec and not in order of Aaron!
*****Heb 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
Heb 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Jesus Christ became a priest by His resurrection from the dead and His ascension back to Heaven.
Jesus Christ has an endless life!
The order which Christ was appointed will never be terminated!
If it cannot be terminated then it must be superior to what was before it!
The Scripture points out that this is also a fulfillment of prophecy!
Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Scriptures point out that today we should not attempt to draw near to God by the old and temporary and unprofitable ways of the Law but through the “new order” instituted by Christ’s appointment as High Priest!
That New Order is by “Grace”!
The law could make nothing perfect!
BUT, Jesus is the perfect priest!
God has taken us out of Adam and put us in Christ:
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We are no longer joined to the sin of Adam but are joined to a sinless living Christ!
*****Heb 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Heb 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Heb 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Got not only fulfilled prophecy but he made an oath!
No priest in order of Aaron was ever ordained and established on the basis of God’s personal oath!
Jesus Christ’s heavenly priesthood was established by his work on the cross!
The word surety in verse 22, means that the terms of this agreement will be carried out!
Jesus Christ is God’s surety!
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
In verse 22 we also see the word “testament”. This word is usually translated “covenant” but here it is used as the equivalent to a last will and testament.
God changed the priesthood because:
1.) The priesthood and the law were not perfect.
2.) This priesthood could not continue forever.
3.) God had sworn by an “oath” that there would be a new priesthood!
4.) AND, God always does what He says He will do!
The Levitical priesthood was always interrupted by the death of the High Priest.
The Church has only One High Priest and He will live forever!
The Bible says, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever!
*****Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost [that come unto God by him], (seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them).
The Lord Jesus Christ is not dead, but He Is Alive!
He is not Jesus that was on this Earth!
He is Our Great High Priests that sits at the right hand of God!
That sin-free body of flesh has passed away in payment for our sins!
It is the “Lord of Glory” that is now alive and interceding for those that know Him as God!
He died down here on Earth to save us BUT He Lives In Heaven To Keep Us Saved!
It is because He is alive that He can keep on saving us!
Intercession means Intervention!
Jesus Christ, Our High Priest, intervenes on our behalf while He is face to face with God!
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, [much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life]
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. [And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous]:
God knows we are still in this flesh and are still sinners but everything Jesus does is right and we are saved by His Life AND NOT BY OUR OWN LIFE!
Jesus sits at God’s right hand and He says:
Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
When we are “saved to the uttermost”, how can we ever believe we could loose such a salvation that we have no control over!
Jesus Christ can save any sinner, from any condition AND He saves completely, and forever, whosoever will put their trust in Him!
1.) We do not need an intercessor because God is still angry with us!
2.) The Father and The Son are in complete agreement with the plan of salvation!
3.) Jesus is not continuously offering up prayers because of our weakness!
4.) Jesus is not continuously offering a blood sacrifice, that work was completed on the cross!
5.) Our Lord Jesus Christ is our representative at the throne of God to receive our spiritual sacrifices that are offered up to Him!
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, [to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ].
This is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!
*****Heb 7:26 For such an high priest [became us], who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, [when he offered up himself].
Jesus [became us] because He knew this was what we needed to be saved!
We must also be “holy” to be in a relationship with God!
We must also be “harmless” to be free from all sin!
We must also be “free from immorality”!
We must also be “separate from all sinners”!
We could not do any of these things, so Jesus became us, and He does these things for us!
Christ Jesus took our place so that we can live!
Christ Jesus did not need to offer up anything for His own sin because He had no sin!
If Jesus had left anything off that had to be done, He would return to do that thing but He needed to sacrifice Himself only one time!
Jesus met all our needs then and He still meets all our needs!
We had to have a Priest like Jesus!
We still sin every day!
We need spiritual help every day!
Jesus gives us the “Grace” and “Mercy” we need because we are still sinners!
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
*****Heb 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
How could we ever turn away from such a great High Priest!
Our High Priest can be reached at any moment to meet our needs!
He is always there to help us!
He always understands what we are going through!
He has all the answers to our questions because He is the answer to all our problems!
Thank you Jesus for doing what I could not do!
Questions?
Let’s Pray!
LESSONS IN GOD'S WORD 