Hebrews 7 is based on an Old Testament man Melchizedek, years ago I heard a message suggesting that Melchizedek was an Old Testament manifestation of Jesus Christ. I don’t believe this is true as I’ve heard more teachings that if it were true the author of Hebrews, and other places in the bible, would mention that. He does mention that Melchizedek had no father, mother or genealogy having no beginning of days or end of life. All the Hebrews author is stating is that they don’t know anything about where Melchizedek came from because there’s no biblical record of his life except his encounter with Abraham.
I’m a big fan of reading the Old Testament, I love all the real life accounts. I love reading about Abraham and his journey. Ann Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham, wrote a book called The Magnificent Obsession about Abrahams life, it is an awesome book and it will speak God’s truth into your life.
Even though the Bible doesn’t give any details about Melchizedek‘s life, what we do know is, Abraham knew who Melchizedek was and knew that Melchizedek worshiped the same God Abraham worshipped. He thought highly of Melchizedek’s priesthood and gave him 10% of the spoils when he returned from rescuing Lot, Abraham had great respect for this man.
Usually in the Old Testament when you read the word priest, it’s referring to someone who is a descendent of Aaron, a Levite. Melchizedek lived centuries before Aaron was born. Also, none of the Christian church leaders in the New Testament are called priest.
This made me think about who I have high respect towards in my life because of their relationship with God. These people are not people I grew up with, I don’t know much about their family history. I’m curious about how Abraham knows Melchizedek, did they spend time together talking about their God? For me, I need strong men of God around me in my life. It’s crucial that I have men with strong biblical knowledge and faith who I can talk about life’s obstacles with. It’s even better that a couple of these men enjoy a good cigar once in a while like I do, so while enjoying a good cigar we talk about life and what we feel God is saying to us in our individual circumstances. I also study God‘s word in depth with a couple of these men, these Bible studies are not superficial discussions that I’ve often encountered within my church. These are interdenominational groups, and they go deep and get personal. Transparency and confidentiality are extremely important.
Hebrews 8:1 the author is saying that the point of what had been said, in Hebrews 7, is that we now have a high priest, Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the throne of God in heaven, verse 2 says
a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man.
What sanctuary, not built by human hands, would this priest minister to? Us, we are the sanctuary and true tabernacle created by God. This priest does not need to offer sacrifices on our behalf because He was our sacrifice on our behalf. This priest did not need to come out of the Levitical bloodline, he came through the bloodline of Judah. Verse 6 says that Jesus has a superior ministry and is a mediator of a better covenant with better promises. God brought us a new covenant through Jesus Christ, a faultless covenant.
I’m getting ready to experience some major life changes and it’s easy for me to get hung up on feelings of being afraid, lost, unorganized, undisciplined, unloved, lonely, idle and unproductive. This is not what God wants me to experience because that’s not really who I am. My heavenly priest Jesus Christ reminds me that
I am courageous I am focused I am systematic I am disciplined I am loved I am connected I am active I am effective
These are the affirmations in my life Jesus Christ confirms when I read His word and pray to Him daily. They are the words my closest friends use when speaking truth into my life. They align perfectly with God’s promises in my life as I often need to remind myself that
He chose me, He adopted me, He favors me, He forgives me, He has sealed me, He has redeemed me, He has saved me and He made me an heir with Christ.
I’m thankful for sticky notes hanging around my desks about eye level reminding me how I’m favored by God and I’m thankful for God putting certain people in my life to help me navigate the craziness in this world. As the Beatles said, we all need a little help from our friends.