Seeing Jesus more clearly through an observation of Melchizedek

The writer of Hebrews was concerned that his readers were unable to understand core truths. Specifically, he feared that spiritual immaturity would hinder their ability to comprehend Jesus’ role as priest. In chapter 5, the writer declared that Jesus was designated a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. The priesthood of Jesus would become a major theme in Hebrews but was set aside until he made the same statement concerning Melchizedek in Hebrews 6:20, opening his discourse in chapter 7.

R. Kent Hughes takes us back to that time when the writer of Hebrews comprehended the import of what he would be directed to teach in chapters 7 through 10, Imagine for a moment that you are the writer of Hebrews writing to encourage the soon-to-be persecuted Jewish church. Also imagine yourself reflecting both on Melchizedek’s history and this prophecy—and then you make the connection! Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecy! He is a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. What a privilege to understand the role of Jesus as not only Prophet and Priest but also, High Priest.

The Bible has many topics that can draw our attention. Too often, our focus can be on the type and not the reality. Consider Psalm 110:4, a messianic passage which identifies Jesus as a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Order is qualitative in that the uniqueness of Melchizedek was comparable to that of Jesus. Raymond Brown, It is not Jesus who resembles Melchizedek, but Melchizedek who resembles the Lord Jesus. Melchizedek is not the focus but one who illustrates the functions, characteristics and attributes of the primary individual, Jesus.

Melchizedek entered recorded history 2,000 years before Christ, he returned 1,000 years later in a psalm of David, not to return again for another 1,000 years when the writer of Hebrews fed meat to those who were accustomed to drinking milk. So, what are the functions and characteristics of our High Priest as seen in Melchizedek?

First, let’s consider functions and characteristics. Melchizedek was a king and priest, so is Jesus. It was impossible for a Levitical priest to be a king. Warren Wiersbe, . . . in the Old Testament economy, the throne and the altar were separated. Those persons who attempted to invade the priests’ office were judged by God. But here is a man who had both offices—king and priest! Aaron never had that privilege. Not only are we taught that Jesus is King and Priest but we learn that He is righteous and gives peace. R. Kent Hughes, . . . Melchizedek foreshadowed the character of Christ—his kingship, his priesthood, his righteousness, and his peace. Philip E. Hughes, As king he is just, and as priest he justifies all who trust in his atoning sacrifice.

Second, consider attributes as revealed by the life of Melchizedek. The fact that Melchizedek had no record of his genealogy concerns lack of priestly qualifications and not miraculous existence. Melchizedek and Jesus could not be Levitical priests which required proven ancestry back to Aaron. Some believed that Melchizedek was an angelic being or even the pre-incarnate Christ. The force of the passage is that a new priesthood now supersedes the priesthood of Aaron, a priesthood without lineage but by the appointment of the Most High God.

In addition to no genealogy, there is the issue of no record of birth or death. Levitical priests served a limited term of service, no more than 30 years. Chrysostom (4th C.), We know of no beginning or end in either case; in the one, because none are recorded; in the other, because they do not exist. Now, there is a priest whose term of service is forever!

It would be interesting to learn more about Melchizedek. But, the point of the letter to the Hebrews is to learn more about Jesus, our High Priest. In Hebrews 7:1-3, we learn that Jesus is our King and our Priest. He is righteous and gives peace. He is our High Priest Who is not bound to the Levitical priesthood but Whose appointment was by God the Father, forever! These functions, characteristics and attributes of Melchizedek emphasize the majesty of our High Priest and should encourage the readers not to turn back to Judaism but to hold fast to Jesus.

Let’s always focus on the reality and not the type. I encourage you to join the study of Hebrews 7:1-3 under the Books of the Bible tab. Majoring on majors is best.

It is good to have an Anchor who is our Forerunner!

Hebrews 6 is an amazing chapter. It can bring us low but then lift us to spiritual heights. It is a chapter for those serious about their faith in Jesus Christ. It is for those who want to be faithful, to be accountable, to have hope despite the circumstances, to know what was started by faith will be completed by grace.

For a few moments, I encourage you to join me on that spiritual ride from one section of Hebrews 6, verses19 and 20, We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. The possibility of apostasy is replaced with the certainty of victory. Dependence on human effort is displaced by a settled hope in the one who is the anchor of our souls and forerunner of our future inheritance. These verses picture Jesus as our hope based on His function and order.

First, Jesus is described as our anchor. William L. Lane, As a ship is held fast when at anchor, the life of the Christian is secured by hope that binds that life to Christ, who has entered the heavenly sanctuary . . . His presence behind the curtain is the firm pledge that we also shall pass through the curtain and enter within the inner sanctuary . . . The curtain separated the outer sanctuary from the inner sanctuary (the Holy of Holies). Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and then only once per year on the Day of Atonement. When Jesus, died on the cross, that curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. Warren Wiersbe rightly proclaims, Anchored heavenward! How much more secure can you be? Because of Jesus’ function as anchor of our souls, we each have direct access to God at all times. What a hope and reality!

Second, Jesus is described as our forerunner. Consider the words of Marvin Vincent, The Levitical high priest did not enter the sanctuary as a forerunner, but only as the people’s representative. He entered a place into which none might follow him, in the people’s stead, and not as their pioneer. The peculiarity of the new economy is that Christ as High Priest goes nowhere that His people cannot follow Him. He introduces man into full fellowship with God. Jesus not only anchors our hope to the throne of God but guides us to His very presence. Be encouraged by Hebrews 4:14, 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.

Our hope is based not only on Jesus’ function but on His order, as well. One might understand order as class or type. The order was qualitative in that the uniqueness of Melchizedek was comparable to that of Jesus which is eternal and not in the line of Aaronic priests. R. Kent Hughes, We are anchored in the Father’s presence for eternity—and Jesus at his right hand perpetually intercedes for his Church. His continual priestly prayer for us is the medium for our survival. The fear of apostasy is replaced by the hope of living forever in the presence of God. Charles Spurgeon, Has He gone as a forerunner of those who may after all perish on the road? God forbid. Where our Head is, there must the members be before long.

It is comforting to know that our hope is not based on our ability to keep ourselves but in Jesus’ ability keep us. I encourage you to join the study of Hebrews 6:13-20 under the Books of the Bible tab. Let’s rejoice with R. Kent Hughes, . . . we have reason to be optimistic—we have an anchor for the soul.

It is good to be an encourager!

The writer of Hebrews gave a blistering warning to the readers in Hebrews 6:4-8. It seems like it would never end but then come verses 9-12. It is a wise person who knows when to make a point but not beat up the person in the process. The writer believed there was hope for those who were falling away. He believed better things were in store for them. This is the only time in the letter that he called the readers, beloved. It was probably intended to demonstrate his sincere concern for them as brothers and sisters in Christ. William Barclay, It is precisely after the sternest passage of all that he uses the address of love. It is as if he said to them: ‘If I did not love you so much, I would not speak with such severity.’

We should learn from his wise method of counsel. When a person had a history of faithful service, remind them of what they had done. For the readers it was probably what he mentioned in Hebrews 10:32-34, But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. What they were is what they still can be through Christ. I am in agreement with Douglas Mangum, This reminder not only encourages them for their past faithfulness but also serves as motivation to continue in these good works of love.

The writer identified the source of their motivation which was to glorify God for the sake of His name. Raymond Brown, That was the leading ambition of Christ's life, and it must be ours also if we are to be acceptable servants. Work for Christ which is done entirely for the glory of God cannot possibly be overlooked by God. It is always appropriate to be reminded that our service must be a response of thanksgiving and not an attempt to gain God’s favor. Charles Spurgeon, Our faith does not cause salvation, nor our hope, nor our love, nor our good works; they are things that attend it as its guard of honor. The origin of salvation lies alone in the sovereign will of God the Father, in the infinite efficacy of the blood of Jesus—God the Son, and in the divine influence of God the Holy Spirit.

This section includes the importance of being diligent in faithful service to the end. One commentator speaks of the writer’s desire that the readers will have the ability to translate Christian conviction into action. That is a hope we all should pursue until the end when Christ returns and hope is fully realized. R. Kent Hughes, Today’s culture has come very near to making a religion of sloth. Carried to the ultimate, it separates us from God because it erases caring. . . A lazy life can be an indication of a graceless life.

Finally, the readers are encouraged to imitate those who by faith and patience have inherited the promises. Conformity to the image of Christ is a road less traveled but traveled by many since the resurrection of Christ. William Barclay, Christians are not treading an untrodden pathway; they are treading where the saints have trod. Such a path demands faith and patience with assurance based on the faithfulness of our triune God.

I encourage you to join the study of Hebrews 6:9-12 under the Books of the Bible tab. It is a privilege to participate with the Holy Spirit in becoming more like Christ. May we receive encouragement along the way as well as giving it to others.