Priest Jesus-Go See Your Priest Series

Who is the most interesting guy you’ve ever met? In 2006 there was a marketing campaign that said it was this guy; Don Equis.

Yet, the guys real name was Jonathan Goldsmith. Yet, he played the role of “Don Equis; the most interesting man in the world.”

He depicted a debonair, cosmopolitan figure who lived a so-called deeply fulfilling life, traveling the world, engaging in activities like “the running of the bulls”, playing frisbee with a seal, and walking barefoot over coals.”

Commercial said things like this: “People hang on his every word, he could disarm you with his looks or his hands either way, he can speak French in Russian, his organ donation card also includes his beard, his blood smells like cologne, he lives vivariously through himself he is the most interesting man in the world.”

The advertisements, for a beer company by the way, painted the picture of a mysterious man who everyone wanted to know, who seemed to experience life to the level that everyone wanted to somehow know him and perhaps replicate his life to the point that Time Magazine actually listed his commercials as the 8th top commercial ad on TV.

Transition:

In Jewish life, there was a real person who seemed to fit a similar persona. He was the most interesting person in Hebrew life. That man was a priest named “Melchizedek.”

Melchizedek is a mysterious man in scripture. He appears only once in the historical narrative of the Hebrew scripture (Genesis 14: 1-17) who we know very little about.

Three things are communicated about him:

a) First, he was the king of Salem or in Hebrew; the King of a place called “peace.” Salem means

peace.

b) Second, his name Melchizedek is a compound word that means “righteous king.”

c) Third, he is different from other guys because he was both; a priest and a king.

He is definitely, if not one of the most interesting and mysterious guys in the Bible, if not the most mysterious and interesting guys that ever lived.

Transition:

Now, for a second time in the Book of Hebrews, the writer brings up Melchizedek and compares Him to Jesus.

In this comparison, in verse 1-2, He rehearses the historical story of Melchizedek and how Abraham was coming out of a battle and meets Melchizedek face to face saying: “ For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.”

Then he begins to make a series of contrasts that helps us understand who Jesus is to us today.

Hebrews 7 provides a contrast of Melchizedek and Jesus. In this we get to know who Jesus is to us every day.

Transitional Sentence: Who is Jesus?

I. He’s Greater Than Anyone You Know

vs. 1- “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.”

Explanation:

Who is Melchizedek and why does it matter?

Abraham has been in a fight and the God Most High has given him victory. On his way out of the fight, he comes in contract with Melchizedek. Soon, he’s going into another fight but God gives him a divine pause. In this divine pause; God ministers to and strengthens Abraham.

This was a type of divine intermission. It was for a moment. A divine moment of need.

The Bible tells us that when Abraham saw “Mel” he gave him bread and wine to restore Abraham’s strength. Likewise, verse 1 tells us that when he met with Abraham; “he blessed him.”

The word “blessed” here means: “Endowed with divine favor and protection.”

For a minute, God gives him a place of peace and a person of peace to help restore, renew, and get you from one battle to the next.

How many of you know that in this world there’s a fight going on? Last week you had a battle and next week might bring another one. Spiritual battles happen. The enemy is constantly tempting and trying us. He’s relentless it seems.

Yet, praise the Lord, God gives spiritual intermissions when He shows up and ministers to us. Do you know what Old Testament Priests did for people; they interceded for them. They stood in the gap. They come to the AID OF and go to the ALTAR FOR people.

That’s what is so shocking about the story Jesus told about the man who fell among thieves. The Bible tells us that when he came by, he walked around and past the guy that was hurting. He ignored his need.

Yet, Jesus is not that kind of priest. He is like Melchizedek. He shows up and comes to our aid. He refreshes, restores, and makes sure that what happened last week won’t mow you down, and he’s going to strengthen you for what’s next.