The Final High Priest

Hebrews 7:15–22

¹⁵ This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” ¹⁸ For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. ²⁰ And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, ²¹ but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” ²² This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

Jesus as our High Priest is a HUGE concept and important in the economy of God’s grace and forgiveness. In Genesis 14, Abraham has an interaction with Melchizedek, the High Priest of Salem (which means “peace” and later becomes Jerusalem). After winning a battle against five pagan kings who have captured his nephew, Lot, Abraham receives a visit from this priest, to whom he gave a tithe and from whom he receives bread and wine.

Genesis 14:18–20

¹⁸ And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) ¹⁹ And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; ²⁰and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

How you see this passage can rank anywhere from “not much here” to “this is truly profound.” Where you land in your understanding of Abram’s meeting with Melchizedek is between you and the Holy Spirit. With a great willingness to allow the Bible to be mysterious in places, I will tell you my opinion – but that’s all it is and it is worth exactly what you’re paying for it!

No reading of this passage is complete without also reading Hebrews 7. I’ve included a link so that you can do just that. Let me say at this point – it’s not easy. Hebrews still remains one of the most difficult books of the Bible for me to wrap my head around. But Hebrews 7 is quite helpful when reading Genesis 14 because they discuss the same guy – Melchizedek.

Melchizedek springs up rather unexpectedly in the story just as Abram is wrapping up his battle to retrieve Lot and his family from the five kings who swept them away. Abram has achieved his goal and is heading home when Melchizedek shows up. Melchizedek is called the King of Salem (which later becomes JeruSALEM) . He is also called “priest of God Most High.” We have no idea where this guy comes from or why he has these titles. But he brings bread and wine to refresh the people, glorifies the Living God and receives a tithe from Abram. And then he is never mentioned again until the book of Hebrews where the writer to the Hebrews declares Jesus to be a Priest in the order of Melchizedek. It is also interesting to note that Melchizedek is the first to be called a priest. It is not until the book of Exodus that God sets up the priesthood from the tribe of Levi. Jesus and Melchizedek are the only legitimates priests in the Bible who were not from the tribe of Levi. (There were others who called themselves “priest” who were not Levites after the kingdom split – but that’s another study). In Hebrews, Jesus is called a priest in the order of Melchizedek because neither of them were Levites and yet still priests of the Most High God. While not all theologians agree with me, I believe they were one in the same. Melchizedek was a theophany – Jesus come to earth during the Old Testament in human form to interact with His people; also known as a pre-incarnate Christ. We have other instances of this happening throughout the Old Testament – again, another study. If you want to extend an already long study, look up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace, Abraham and the Angel discussing Sodom and Gomorrah, Jacob wrestling the Angel on the river bank. . . and there are several more.

Jesus has always been a part of the lives of His people – always. In the next chapter of Genesis, we are told of the epic covenant that God makes with Abram. This visit with Melchizedek is just the opening salvo in that whole story. God’s involvement with us is personal and constant. What more do we need?

The writer to the Hebrews discusses this incident in great detail centuries later, because Jesus is declared to be a priest in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is our Great High Priest, but is not a descendant of Levi and as such, He is not a “regular priest”. The work of the High Priest was to go into the Holy of Holies and offer up the sacrifice for the sins of the people. That priest had to be as pure as possible (according to Levitical Law) and he followed a strict pattern of rites to perform this most important task, once a year on Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). When Jesus comes along, He makes that final sacrifice for us not with the blood of animals but with His own precious blood, spilled in a gruesome crucifixion. As such, He is the final Priest.