​20th October 2022

​20th October 2022


Pray (ACts)


Read (Hebrews 7v5-10)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


We've established that in Melchizedek we see a little glimpse of Christ but is that all we learn? By no means. In Hebrews we are constantly told that Christ is superior to the angels, to Moses, to Melchizedek and to the Old Testament priesthood. The Hebrews wondered if they should return to their roots and leave Christ behind. They considered swapping Jesus for the shadows of the past.


Paul couldn't fathom why anyone would want to take this path. Why go back to human priests when you had the great high priest called Jesus? He was and is superior in every way to the Old Testament priests and He was foreshadowed by Melchizedek. For example the priestly line of Levi took tithes from the people (v5) but Melchizedek took tithes from Abraham who had received the promises of God.


Melchizedek (the superior) blessed Abraham (the inferior) and Abraham honoured him with a tenth of the spoils of war (v7). The Levitical priests received tithes from mortal men but there was no Biblical mention of Melchizedek's death (v8). Indeed it is possible to say that Levi himself was paying tithes through Abraham who was Levi's ancestor (v10).


What's all this about? Paul wishes to stress the superiority of Christ. Jesus was not a priest because He was descended from Levi. He was a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. In other words Christ is far superior to the Old Testament priests. He's not following in their footsteps, His priesthood is more glorious in every way.


So when Abraham met Melchizedek in the King's Valley, he was interacting with a type of Christ long before the sacrificial system and the priesthood was introduced. Abraham saw a figure of the priesthood of Christ.


Jesus is our priest par excellence. His priesthood is without beginning, without end and without equal. How could anyone consider leaving Jesus for any other? Brothers and sisters, never allow your eyes to drop from Christ. Never allow yourself to look back to your past life. Never allow yourself to wonder "Is there another way?" Instead, for every look you take of yourself, take ten looks at Christ. May you realise again what Paul never forgot - no one compares to Jesus.


Pray (acTS)
Sing
WSC
Q83 Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.