Hebrews 7:11-28

Melchizedek

What a cool name. Melchizedek. It sounds like Mel-kiss-a-deck. Once you learn to say this name it’s like eating potato chips; it’s hard to stop. Ah, but the name itself isn’t nearly as cool as the points the writer of Hebrews makes in this passage.

Under Moses the priesthood was established for the family of Aaron from the tribe of Levi. This is called the Levitical Priesthood. It is clear that the Levitical Priesthood was not intended to be the last step. David declares in Psalm 110 (a Psalm that was universally recognized as referring to Messiah) that He would be a priest after the order of Melchizedek. 

The order of Melchizedek was obviously older than the order of Aaron since Melchizedek blessed Abraham, Levi’s great grandfather. Therefore, this priestly order had the Levitical order trumped both before and after. 

Furthermore, the order of Melchizedek only had one known member prior to Messiah, that being Melchizedek himself. (Some even believe that the mysterious Melchizedek was a pre incarnation appearance of Christ Himself.)

Furthermore, Messiah was made a priest of this order forever. All of the Levitical priests were only priest for a few years of their earthly lives. This priest was, is, and always will be a priest. 

Finally, this priest did not need to offer sacrifices for Himself because He never sinned. He also didn’t need to offer sacrifices over and over like the Levitical priests. The fact that they needed to offer sacrifices again and again made clear the fact that their sacrifices didn’t really take away sin. The one sacrifice offered by this great priest was enough. Once for all.

Melchizedek is a real cool name, and lots of fun to say. It just doesn’t compare to Jesus.