Melchizedek was a king and priest mentioned in Genesis 14 and again in Psalm 110. The writer to Hebrews mentioned him three times in chapters 5&6 and now in chapter 7 he mentions him ten times. Who is Melchizedek and why should he be significant to us today?
Hebrews tells us the name Melchizedek means King of Justice. He was King of Salem, which is Jerusalem, and that name means peace. Our Christian beliefs tell us that God is using Jesus to bring justice and peace to the world, so there must be some connection the author wants us to see between Jesus and Melchizedek.
Because we are New Covenant Christians we are not well versed in the priesthood of Israel and the Jewish religion. However, the author makes clear the central point of his argument; Jesus is our High Priest and he is better than the priesthood of Israel. Ten times the writer will say that faith in Christ is better than seeking to be obedient to the religious laws of Israel. He doesn’t say the laws were wrong or not important; he says Jesus, the perfect High Priest, is better.
The Apostle Paul makes this same argument: Living our life in Christ is better than trying to live a life obedient to the law.
But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. (Romans 7:6)
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
22-Feb-12 Heb. 8:1-9:5
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