The Bible is by far the most unique and amazing books on planet earth. I especially love the Old Testament stories.
As a child I remember my mother reading me the Old Testament Bible Stories at night at bedtime. As a boy, I was mesmerized by the stories and still are to this day.
My favorite stories as a kid were the stories that peeked my interest such as:
a) Elijah mocking the Prophets of Baal telling them that their God was in the bathroom. I Kings
18.
b) Bears attacking 42 boys after they made fun of Elisha for being bald. II Kings 2:23-24
c) Jehu driving like a maniac. II Kings 9:20
d) God requiring the Philistines to give a unique apology gift of 5 golden rats and 5 golden
tumors for stealing the Ark of the Covenant. I Samuel 6:4
e) God speaking through a Balaam’s donkey. Numbers 22: 28-30
For a boy, those stories caught my attention the most.
Yet, as the writer of Hebrews, one of the stories that jumped off the page to him was the story of Melchizedek. Therefore, for 10 verses in Hebrews 5, he talks about this ancient priest and tells us how Jesus relates to this interesting and mysterious man in scripture.
Transition:
One of the things that makes the Book of Hebrews difficult to read is that the writer of Hebrews was written with an assumption that you understand the Old Testament. It assumes that you have an understanding of Old Testament tradition, theology, or background.
Therefore, in short, as you read about Melchizedek today you might not know the story. You might not know who “Mel” as I will call Him, is.
Well, if you don’t, good news! I do and today you can learn the story and in the process understand what makes Him so special. What makes Him special besides the fact that he shows up in Genesis 14 in the Bible.
Twice in the Book of Hebrews we read about “Mel.” We read about him in Hebrews 5 and then again in Hebrews 7. He takes up a lot of Biblical real estate for a reason. The reason why is because his appearance as a Priest and King in the Old Testament tells us about Jesus as our Priest and King who appears in the New Testament.
So let’s join the story time about “Mel” the Priest, and let’s hear what the Hebrew writer tells us about Jesus through the story of Melchizedek’s life.
Transitional Sentence: From the story of Melchizedek we learn that Jesus is:
I. Unique
vs. 1-5-“For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sin; he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself is also beset with weaknesses; and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins as for the people, so also for himself. And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him: You are my Son Today I have begotten you.”
Explanation:
As the writer of Hebrews starts telling the story of Melchizedek, he begins by comparing Jesus to Him.
Melchizedek was the most popular priest in the Hebrew culture. He was intriguing, mysterious, and talked about often in the synagogues of the first century.
Today, he’s still that way. Here’s some facts about Mel:
a) Only three books in the Bible mention Melchizedek. (Genesis, Psalms, and Hebrews)
b) The New Testament actually talks more about Melchizedek than the Old Testament.
c) Melchizedek lived during Abraham’s time and blessed Abraham - that’s a big deal,
especially to a Hebrew.
d) Mel is mysterious, he has no recorded family and was the Priest of Salem; better known today
as Jerusalem.
He was one special guy! Yet, Jesus was even more unique than Him!
In contrast, the writer of Hebrews talked about how priests were special because they all had to be qualified to serve as priests. What made them qualified?
1. Priests all had to be a men; basically, humans. In verse 1 we read: “For every high priest
taken from men...” This is why God had to become a man; it was a qualification for being a
priest.
2. Priests had to be God’s man. In verse 1 we read: “appointed on behalf of men”- It’s not like
what is happening today. You couldn’t go online and get a “priest certificate or ordination
papers” to represent God if you were not appointed-- you could not be a representative of
God.
3. Priests had to be sympathetic with men- Vs. 2- “he can deal gently with the ignorant and
misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness. You had to have some limitations as well. If you wanted to help folks, you had to struggle like other folks. You had to struggle the same way other folks do. You can be a priest because you’ve experienced the struggle.
4. Priests had to sacrifice for men- vs. 3- “and because he is obligated to offer sacrifices for
sin, as for people, so also for himself. “
If you will notice, Jesus is unique because as you read the qualifications for the Priest; Jesus met them all. Jesus became a man (check) Jesus was God’s man (check) Jesus was sympathetic with men (check) and finally, Jesus made a sacrifice for men (check) but notice how Jesus is different!
Verse 3 ends saying that the “anointed and appointed” Priest not only made a sacrifice for men’s sins; but also for His own.
Yet, notice how Jesus is greater! Not only did he make a sacrifice for our sins; yet, because He had no sin (Hebrews 4:15) he could become the sacrifice for sin for us. He was not only the Priest who could walk up Calvary willingly to offer the sacrifice; but He could also embrace the cross to be the sacrifice.
Oh what a Priest He is! He’s no ordinary Priest; He is the sacrifice and the one who made the sacrifice; He is Jesus the One and Only!
Illustration: Turkey donation
One of my favorite “Paul Harvey” stories came out during the1995 Thanksgiving Season, a woman purportedly called up the Butterball Turkey Company's hotline and asked whether it was advisable to cook a turkey that had been in her freezer for 23 years.
The customer service rep advised her that as long as the freezer had maintained a below-zero temperature, it would probably be ok. However, she was warned that the turkey would be less than tasty.
The woman responded, "Oh, that's what we thought. We'll just donate it to the church."
Application:
When it came to your High Priest; God provided the best, the greatest; Jesus the One and Only sacrifice for you and me!
Look at your neighbor and say: “God didn’t give you the leftovers!” Listen: All the Priests except Jesus had to sacrifice for the sins of the people; plus themselves, yet God provided perfect, sinless, matchless Jesus so that your sins could be perfectly and permanently forgiven.
Jesus is unique. He’s not just a religious figure; He’s the redeemer. Without Him there would be no forgiveness, no assurance of heaven, no hope in this life, no solution for our sin problem--- yet then came Jesus; the Perfect High Priest because He’s the one and only perfect Priest.
That’s what makes Jesus unique.
Transitional Sentence: From the story of Melchizedek we learn that Jesus is:
II. The Source of Our Strength
vs. 6- “You are my Son Today I have begotten you, just as He says also in another passage, YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
Explanation:
Isn’t it interesting that when human beings write stories, a lot of them are have a troubling message. Have you noticed that?
For instance: Chicken little. Wasn’t that an encouraging story? He lost his mind. He thought the sky was falling after an acorn hit him on the head and caused mass hysteria. (There you go what a wonderful message for developing minds)
Then, we’ve got Jack and Jill. That’s a sunny message isn’t it? These two kids were just walking up a hill to fetch a pail of water then Jack fell down. Remember what happened to him? He broke his crown. If that wasn’t enough-- he had no one to call 9-11 because Jill came tumbling after.
Yes, that’s what I want to think about when I am getting ready to go to sleep.
Then we have ole’ humpty dumpty. He was out one day sitting on a wall. Just minding his own business and suddenly (like Jack) he fell. He had a great fall and poor Mr. Dumpty was done for. All the Kings horses and all the Kings men could not put Mr. Dumpty together again.
Wow! What a delight.
Yet, as the writer of Hebrews writes the story of Melchizedek pulls out the Hebrew Biblical history book- Old Testament- a true story that kids would have heard for years and throws a zinger in with it.
That zinger? Jesus is of the order of Melchizedek.
He reminds them that the story is a baseline story of scripture. It’s an elementary story. One they’d heard many times. Yet, he tells that he’s concerned they are going to miss the message because they had become so dull of hearing from God.
In talking about Mel he says: “Concerning him we have much to say and it is hard to explain since you have become so dull of hearing.” Vs. 11
He says: “To hear this story and understand its connection to Jesus you are going to have to have spiritual ears. You’re going to have to dial in. You are going to have to get on God’s spiritual frequency.”
You see, these people were tired. They were giving up. They had lost their spiritual strength and what they needed to do is to hear the story of Melchizedek and find Jesus in the story.
Therefore, he starts by telling them something mind blowing: Jesus is a Priest after the order of Melchizedek.
To understand Jesus’ role in our life as Priest we need to review the story of Genesis 14 for a minute.
In the story you will remember that when Abraham met Melchizedek he was coming out of a battle.
Abraham has just come from a battle with three kings against him. Imagine a battle with 3 kingdoms. Abraham was tired. Exhausted. Yet, God knew he was leaving that battle and headed to another.
Anyone have a week like that? You feel like you just came out of a battle Friday and Monday is coming?
Yet, notice when he was on his way to the next battle; the king of Salem (Jerusalem) who was also a Priest; came and met up with you during the intermission.
Now understand: No one else in the Bible is both King and Priest except for Jesus. That’s why Jesus is of the order of Melchizedek; He is both King and Priest.
Now as King- Mel and Jesus have a Kingdom.
Now as Priest- Both represented people before God.
Yet, Jesus is also prophet which means: He represents God before people.
Are you with me?
Yet, in this Hebrew story of the Torah that all the kids read they notice that Melchizedek brings a couple of things to Abraham: Wine and Bread.
Are your spiritual ears perking up? What did Jesus give to his disciples the night before He died? What does ordinance does Jesus give to us to cause us to remember His sacrifice and remind us of the great table that is prepared in His coming Kingdom?
Wine and bread. The symbols of His sacrifice and the symbols of our coming victory!
Application:
Listen: Today, as our High Priest, Jesus is interceding for us and He comes to us in a special way in the intermission of our week.
He is with us in our battles; but He is with us in our intermissions. As the Psalmist says: “You anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over!” Psalm 23:5
How many of you need a little strength in your battle? Here’s the good news; our High Priest is here. He’s offering Himself to you. He’s coming to you. He’s binding up your wounds with the life-giving bread of His wounds. He’s present, as priest, prophet, and King!
He present to strengthen you, sustain you, and empower you through lifting your eyes as you walk out of one battle into the next. He strengthens you by coming to you like Mel did Abraham and preparing you for the next round of spiritual war ahead of you.
What would we do without King Jesus? Priest Jesus? Prophet Jesus? We would collapse at the feet of the enemy in temptation. We would struggle to move forward and move on trial of life we face daily; we would be like Mr. Dumpty-- no other king or his horsemen could put us back together again without King Jesus!!!!
Transitional Sentence: From the story of Melchizedek we learn that Jesus is:
III. The Source of Salvation
vs. 8- “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Explanation:
As the writer differentiates between Melchizedek and Jesus He points out that Jesus is different and greater because He is “a Son.”
Verse 8 says: “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”
In this passage we find that at Christmas God became three things- so that he could become one thing. He became:
a) A Son- “Although He was a Son...” vs 8
b) A Student- “He learned obedience from the things He suffered...” vs. 8
c) A sufferer- “which he suffered” - vs. 8
All these things were necessary so that He could become one thing for each of us. Verse 9 tells us that because of this He became the Source- “the source of eternal salvation.” Vs. 9
In other words:
a) He took a position- He became “the Son”
b) He took on a pupil- He became a “student.”
c) He took on our pain- He became a “sufferer.”
It was all necessary so that in the end; He could become our source of salvation.
Mel was only a temporary supplier of salvation. Before Jesus the Greatest Priest of all had to offer a “temporary” pass through sacrifices on an altar; yet with Jesus he became the one and only life-giving source of salvation--- the well that will never run dry.
Isn’t this what Jesus talked to the woman at the well about? He pointed to Jacob’s well and said that if you drank from it you would thirst again; yet if you partook of the water that he has it springs up into eternal life and she would never thirst again!
Jesus is the source.
Illustration: Crossing your fingers
In Christian history, there was a special way that Christians communicated their complete faith and trust in Jesus.
During the days of when the Book of Hebrews was written (the first centuries of the Church) when Christianity was wholly illegal and Christians were vigorously persecuted, losing their homes, and struggling--- they had a way of pointing each other to Jesus: The crossed their fingers.
The crossed fingers was used by to point others straight to Jesus.
Application:
As the writer of Hebrews was telling the story of Melchizedek he basically says: “Melchizedek was a resource; for a moment, He provided a temporary sacrifice; but he only points you to the true source; Jesus Christ who is the “source of eternal salvation” vs. 9.
Today: I want to do as the writer of Hebrews does-- I want to tell you: “Go straight to the source?”
Will you today? Will that be your life story? May it be said of you and me: “In life and for life; they went straight to the source.”
