Expanding on the last couple of chapters talking about the Ultimate High Priest, this passage today is looking at Jesus and comparing him with an enigmatic character from the Old Testament – Melchizedek.
Melchizedek appears suddenly in Genesis, when Abraham has won a victory and gives a tithe of the plunder to him. He very clearly treats this man like you would God Himself. Then Melchizedek disappears, leaving behind him a trail of questions.
“Who is Melchizedek?” would be favourite.
Melchizedek’s name means “King of peace.” And he was a priest, and yet a king at the same time. Sound familiar? In fact there are many Christians who see Melchizedek as just that – a pre-incarnate Christ!
Anyway, Mick uses this enigmatic behaviour of Melchizedek to make a point. He demonstrates that Melchizedek jumps into and out of history. And whether or not Melchizedek was actually an early appearance of Christ, Hebrews at the very least uses this concept as a metaphor
Mick then contrasts Melchizedek, who presumably eventually died, with Christ, who died but then rose.
Jesus replaces both forms of priesthood – Aaron’s and Melchizedeks, to be precise – which is important because our Judge is not locked to our world (as we saw in previous chapters) but is also the victim of the crime (to extend the courtroom metaphor) – And therefore He has the right, not only to try the case – but also to forgive debts – a right He uses frequently.
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