J O H N W. M O O R E

LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF HEBREWS
(PART TWO)

As we continue this study from the book of Hebrews, we encourage you once again to read the book of Hebrews in its entirety, especially noting chapter six.

In Hebrews 6:20, what is meant by ". . . Jesus, made a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek?"

Christ is a priest like Melchizedek in that He is without father or mother or genealogy. In other words, Jesus did not become a priest like that of the Levitical system (i.e., by being from or descended from the tribe of Levi), but rather like that of Melchizedek whose genealogy did not determine his position. Jesus "sprang out of Judah, of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood." (7:14) His priesthood was not determined by genealogy and was thereby different from the Aaronic priest.

Further, Christ is like Melchizedek in that He has neither "beginning of days, nor end of life . . ." (7:3) Since the scripture (i.e., Genesis 14) does not record the birth or death of Melchizedek it is likely that the author uses this to symbolize the timeless nature of Christ's priesthood. Jesus was "made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" (6:10). The perpetual aspect of the Lord's priesthood is stressed again and again in this chapter (v. 3,16,17,21,24,25,28).

Still further, Christ is like Melchizedek in that He is superior to Abraham. Melchizedek received 10% of the spoils from Abraham's victory through which he showed Melchizedek's greatness and superiority. Here we see the priesthood of Christ compared and demonstrated as superior to the Levitical priesthood. Finally, Christ is like Melchizedek in that Jesus is both King and Priest. "The ancient ideal of Priest-King, so long absent in Judaism, is seen as now restored in Christ" (Lightfoot, p. 151).