DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST

THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST

"For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated 'king of righteousness,' and then also king of Salem, meaning 'king of peace,' 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."

Melchezidek is a fascinating figure. The story surrounding Melchezidek is recorded in Genesis chapter 14. Abraham was returning from a rescuing his nephew, Lot, from some kings that had taken Lot and his family captive from Sodom. Upon his return, he was met by Melchizedek, the king of Salem, a priest of the Most High God. Melchizedek means "king of righteousness," and he was king of Salem, which some scholars believe was actually the city that became Jerusalem.

Scripture says that Mechizedek had no beginning nor ending. We take this to mean that there was no genealogy recorded, no parents listed for his birth, and his death was not recorded. Certainly he was a historical figure, so he was born, lived, and died.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews used Melchizedek as a type or figure of the Lord Jesus. Like Melchizidek, Jesus was a priest of the Most High God. Like Melchizedek, Jesus was King of Righteousness. One of the Names of God is Jehovah M'kadesh – the Lord our Righteousness. Like Melchizedek, Jesus was King of Salem or King of Peace. Another name of God is Jehovah Shalom – The Lord our Peace. Like Melchizedek, Jesus had no genealogical position to be a priest. His priesthood did not come from His lineage. Obviously, Melchizdek was not a descendant of Abraham since they lived at the same time. And the priests of the Mosaic Covenant were of the tribe of Levi. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. So His priesthood was not based in the either a Abrahamic genealogy nor the Levitical priesthood. And like Melchizedek, Jesus' priesthood is unending. It will last forever – a continual priesthood. Because of the Resurrection, Jesus lives forever.

The writer of Hebrews applied the correlation of Melchizedek' priesthood to Jesus by saying, "But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the peoples', for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself" (vss. 24-27).

Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, also became the offering, and gave Himself as the sacrifice that would provide the atonement for the sins of man once for all time and eternity. As the hymn says, "My faith has found a resting place, Not in a man made creed; I trust the ever living One, That He for me will plead. I need no other argument, I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died, and rose again for me."

The job of the priest is to be the connection – the representative – between God and man. Jesus is our High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us. All praise, glory, worship, and thanks to our Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Love, Dad