Simply Jesus
Melchizedek- A Type of Jesus Christ
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Welcome! This is the day the Lord has made! We will rejoice and be glad in it!
Call to Worship: Psalm 96 1 Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
2 Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
4 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods.
5 The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens!
6 Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.
7 O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
8 Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts.
We are called to worship our King because He is worthy of our worship. He made all of creation; He made each one of us. Strength and beauty are encountered in His presence. God is holy-set apart from anyone else much beyond what we can comprehend. And yet, He is astonishingly near. In His holiness, He is also relational and draws us unto Himself. He is high and lifted up and also dwells with the lowly and contrite of heart.
So let us sing a new song to the Lord today for great is the Lord, most worthy of our praise! Bring Him the offering of your heart of worship and enter His courts with joyful anticipation of meeting with Him this morning. Our God is here and moving among us.
Praise Songs
Intro: What a beautiful and powerful way for us to start a new year by looking more deeply at the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ, our Lord and King forever. Remember God has shown us a direction of Simply Jesus this year. This is what we’re doing week over week-stripping away all extras, revealing truth, and magnifying the greatness and wonder of who Christ is. There is nothing and no one better to gaze upon than Christ Himself and behold all that He is. I am thoroughly enjoying going through Hebrews a bit more slowly and allowing ourselves to digest the significance of what was within this letter originally written to the Jewish Christians.
There was a lot of pressure from the long-standing religious tradition to simply let go of all that made one righteous and grab hold of Jesus as the sole source of their faith, salvation, and righteousness. It did not come from their striving or adhering to the Law, it was now imparted to them through Christ. It is His righteousness that made them justified before our Holy God-this is the same for you and me. But there was such a great pull to hold on to their traditions while trying to make sense of who this Jesus was. The truth is religious traditions die hard.
Don’t they yet today? If we have been taught to believe something and conduct ourselves in a certain way to be holy and righteous, or a “good Christian”, oh it can be hard to step back and say what of this is truly promoting Christ for who He is, and what of this am I doing in an attempt to be seen as righteous? This is what we must ask ourselves. Tradition itself is not bad and can be quite beautiful and comforting-but it must be something focused on Christ and His finished work that we do by faith in Him, not to promote self.
So, we have this beautiful and challenging letter to the Jewish Christians to lay it all out there and make it known, it’s all about Jesus- He is supreme over all their patriarchs- Jesus is supreme and sovereign. He is supreme over all our leaders today and for all eternity. This letter zeroes in on the greatness of who He is and that He is unique and set apart. The author is calling us to see Jesus is the Great I Am and to call us to worship Him alone let go of our traditions that have us striving to uphold the Law, or in our case rules of religion, and grab hold of faith in Jesus. That’s a challenge for the Jewish Christians then, and for many of us today.
It's so simple and yet so hard for us to just believe and trust He is who He says He is, and thus, He is worthy of our heartfelt worship, adoration, and obedience.
Chapter five introduces Jesus now as the Great High Priest and briefly makes note of the order of priesthood Jesus comes through that of the Levites that the Jewish Christians were accustomed to- but this strange name was only spoken of once before, the order of Melchizedek. So here, we’re called to look upon Jesus as our High Priest. Greater than any high priest they would have known or served. The High Priest then was above all other priests as was the only one worthy to go into the Holy of Holies-just one time per year- to atone for the sins of the people and himself, and to hear a word from God. They were highly revered and honored for this great place of leadership. So this is what the author wants us to see the greatness and highest position of all as priests, that Jesus holds.
Chapter six is warning us to not fall away imagine the Jewish Christians wavering we just go back to what we know, it was good for hundreds of years and we’re comfortable with what we know. We can do the same right- because following Christ-truly following Him leaves us with a lot of unknowns, many details left out, and stretches us outside our comfort zone quite often. But in this chapter, we’re called to mature in our faith-to grow beyond the beginning stages of understanding go deeper, to know who He is more fully and to hang on to the promises of God that are Yes in Christ!
Then we come upon chapter seven which we’ll focus on today, and suddenly there is a spotlight put on this man Melchizedek. Why here? Why in the middle of this letter, does the author pause and give considerable notice to this mysterious king and priest who was from ages ago, during the time of Abraham when he was promoting faith in Christ alone? Let’s note, that whenever someone is listed in Scripture, there is great reason and people are never casually brought into their placement in Scripture. There is great purpose in sharing who this leader was and what he had to do with the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ Jesus. Let’s look more closely together and see what we notice about who he resembles and why God specifically spoke of Jesus serving as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:1-12 NIV
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. 11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.
- Made Like the Son of God.
Who is Melchizedek? Why does he matter out of all the priests who served? Who is he connected with in the Bible?
Hebrews 7: 1-2 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything
Melchizedek was serving as a priest during Abraham’s life, and He was also a king, which is something quite interesting and unique about this man. This was unheard of. You couldn’t be both-you were either a king or a priest depending on your lineage and your appointment from God. So this should cause us to pause and wonder what is happening here.
Then we see something else very interesting in both his name and the name of his kingdom.
Hebrews 7:2-3 First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
His very name means righteousness. The nation he is ruling over is called peace. Scholars believe this Salem to be the place of Jerusalem that will come later. One must have righteousness first to bring about peace. We will never have peace without righteousness. So the leader has been named after that which he will live out-righteousness, and in his leading, he brings forth a kingdom of peace.
Sound familiar to someone?
Do you also see this man has no listing of genealogy beginning or end to life mentioned? Consider how much effort has been given to precisely record genealogy for the families of Israel, for all the kings and their length of life. Here we read, that he remains a priest forever. This doesn’t mean he lived in the flesh forever, but it symbolizes his role lives on as king and priest forever. We’re told he resembles the Son of God, because only one other has ever served in both roles, and that is Jesus Christ. No Levite priest was ever a king.
Let’s go back a minute to this interesting encounter where Melchizedek shows up on the scene. Abraham was traveling about in a foreign country with God. He had brought his nephew Lot among others with him when he left his homeland. He and Lot took different areas to dwell in because it was too much to be right on top of each other with their livestock. Lot chose poorly and took land right near Sodom, the wicked city that God later destroyed. Before that happened though some kings came together against some other kings to overtake the surrounding areas and Lot got caught up in all that and was captured. Abraham heard about it and he gathered his army of people and planned an attack at night, catching the army by surprise and defeating them, and rescuing Lot, all the people, and the plunder they had stolen. So word traveled to two kings in the area and they come out to meet Abraham. The king of Sodom meets him and says return the people but keep all the goods for yourself. Abraham refused to keep anything from this king, for he never wanted the king to say, “I made Abraham rich.”
Then another king approaches Abraham and does something very different,
Genesis 14: 18-20 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
This king of peace and righteousness was not offering Abraham riches in possessions, but nourishment and gave him a blessing that a priest would do. What did this king offer? Bread and wine. Who else offers us to take bread and wine? Jesus. This is the first time bread and wine are mentioned like this and is a foreshadowing to Christ and what He will share with His disciples at the Last Supper-what we now know as the holy sacrament of communion. What do these symbolize for us- His body-strength. His blood-cleansing and purifying and new life.
Abraham received these gifts, recognizing the righteousness upon this man, and gave a tenth of what he had to him. This was a sign of honor for the anointing he witnessed in this man’s life. God had to be involved in Abraham’s response because he was not a Levitical priest and yet Abraham had a knowing to honor him. In this exchange, there was a vision shown to Abraham of the kingdom God was building through his descendants of righteousness and peace.
So we have this beautiful, mysterious moment in history giving us a picture of Jesus who was to come. We see in our key Scripture and in other Scripture we’ll look at in a moment, God declared Jesus is our priest forever in the order of this man, Melchizedek. He is the picture of who Jesus is and what His kingdom will be like. Some scholars say this was Christ's pre-incarnate. Others affirm he was a man called to be a type of Christ to show us how we are to revere Jesus. The author takes notes to say in vs. 4 just think how great he was: the patriarch Abraham, gave a tenth to him. Meaning there was no denying the anointing of God upon him and Abraham’s only response was to honor him.
Can you see this? This is what the author wants us to see exchange, this moment of awe and humility from the great patriarch-Abraham who all of Israel held in the highest regard, became the lesser in order to honor the greater. THIS is what the author wanted to impress on the Jewish Christians and on us, as to how we are to see and revere Jesus. HOLY, righteous, supreme, and worthy of our humble worship.
- Religious Traditions Replaced by a Better Way.
But our traditions die hard. They were deeply entrenched in following the Law- it’s all they knew before for generations. But the author says this:
Hebrews 7:11 . 11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still a need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?
He’s calling them to think, if the Law was truly perfect and made perfect through this line of priests-God wouldn’t call someone else and specifically say in the order of Melchizedek. That was said on purpose to take note, that this former way is being replaced. It served its purpose and the purpose was to show everyone their great need for a Savior-that they could never perfectly attain the Law only One could, being Jesus. When He came and finished His work, a new priesthood was in effect. The old was gone and the Law was no longer the driver, we are called to follow Christ Himself. He is the perfection.
We see God telling of this change through prophecy long before Jesus came. Through the patriarch Jacob as he was blessing his twelve sons-he spoke of Judah:
Genesis 49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
The Levites were not sons of Judah. Do you know who is from the lineage of Judah? Jesus.
King David was given a prophecy he spoke of:
Psalm 110: 1, 4 1 The Lord says to my lord “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.” 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus came through the line of Judah, and his priesthood is in the order of Melchizedek- righteous and peaceful. Priest and King forever. There is no end to His government or priesthood. Everything changed.
Hebrews 7:12 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.
This is the change. This is the better way:
John 14:6 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
- Jesus-Our Perfect High Priest.
We are highly blessed in the fact that we can come confidently before the throne of grace to receive mercy and talk directly with our Holy God; we can boldly ask for forgiveness for all sin and shortcomings and know He will forgive us; we can ask for favor and help and know He will hear us and be with us because of Jesus our High Priest who intercedes on our behalf. He entered the Holy of Holies to make an atonement for our sins through His own death and bloodshed.
Hebrews 6: 19-20 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Here it is repeated-three chapters in a row talking about this order of priesthood. The author is surely seeking to impress this change and to trust in Christ alone. We should take note of this as well.
Because it is Jesus and His name that holds all power. Jesus, our perfect high priest, dispenses God’s blessings to those who have His promises. We must draw near in holy reverence to Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:20 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
What we believe about Jesus makes all the difference. The Hebrews were in danger of falling away because they didn’t grasp how great Christ was. Jesus asks each of us a question we must answer.
Matthew 16:15 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Conclusion: Melchizedek is a gateway to tell us about Christ, our King and High Priest forever. Let us seek God in His Word for a clearer vision of the glory, righteousness, and holiness of Christ. Let us respond in humble reverence as Abraham.
Let’s pray.
Communion: I want to invite you today to picture both Melchizedek as a type of Christ and Christ Himself as our eternal King and High Priest-really see the significance of these roles. And then remember Christ is not some unapproachable king and priest-high above everyone, unable to relate, unable to care and communicate… because He came in the flesh and lived as a man, our King, and High Priest know full well what we endure and are challenged with. He came to both nourish and bless us as Melchizedek did for Abraham. Jesus understands our humanity and He loves us, so much that He gave His life for us, so by the faith given to us, we could receive Him as our victorious Lord and Savior and share in His righteousness, joy, peace, and love. See Your King. See Your High Priest today and honor Him by giving Him your full heart. Remember what He has done for you and live in a way that glorifies His great sacrifice and victory.
Let us give him thanks right now. Let us offer up anything in our hearts that is keeping us from Him and ask Him to cleanse us once again.
Sinner’s prayer if some haven’t offered their hearts.
Luke 22: 19-20 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Let’s pray.
Offering:
Prayers:
Final Song
Final Blessing: Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
