Hebrews 5:6
Melchizedek and Jesus...
"As He also says in another place: 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek';"
Hebrews 5:6
In this verse, the writer of Hebrews compares Jesus to Melchizedek, a priest of the time of Abraham. But who was he? And what does this have to do with Jesus?
Melchizedek was a priest and king from the time of Abraham (or Abram, because his name was not yet changed). As you may know, the nephew of Abraham, Lot, lived in Sodom. One day, an army of 5 big cities came to Sodom and took everyone captive. Abraham heard about this and wanted to save his nephew. You can read this story in Genesis 14.
After rescuing Lot, Abraham met Melchizedek. He was the king of Salem, a city later known as Jerusalem. He was also priest of "God Most High". This man blessed Abraham and blessed and praised God. Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder. Genesis 14:18-20 tells us more about this moment:
"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all."
There is something special about this story. When we look at Melchizedek, we notice that his father and mother are not named. In a way, he is an eternal priest. Other parts of the Bible talk about this too.
Take for example David. In Psalm 110 he prophesies about the coming Messiah, Who will be God Himself. In verse 4 David writes: "The Lord has sworn and will not relent, 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.'"
David states that the Messiah will be priest forever, just like Melchizedek. In today's verse, the writer of Hebrews is reminding us of this verse.
The writer tells us more about Melchizedek. In Chapter 7, he compares Jesus to this king-priest.
Hebrews 7:3: "Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually."
Just like I said before, we have no birthdate or written account of this king's death. That is why some people believe it was Jesus Himself.
As you may know, in the Old Testament, the Son of God had not yet revealed Himself in human form. He existed as the 'Angel of the LORD', and we read about Him occasionally (take for example Exodus 3:2, where God meets Moses in the burning bush). Some people believe that Jesus revealed Himself here to Abraham in the form of this king.
The idea that Melchizedek was Jesus is incorrect. The writer of Hebrews says: "But made like the Son of God". In other words, He can't be made like Him, if he is Him…
Today's lesson: Jesus is priest forever, so that He can make intercession for us before the Father. Jesus lives on forever. He is priest, because He became the offering to set us free. He was the perfect Lamb, and through His offering, we can be set free. He remains forever, so that His offering will never pass away. His blood was enough for us to be saved forever. Jesus is a priest who was not from the line of Aaron, just like Melchizedek.
