Hebrews 5:5-10 — Melchezzie

READ THIS: Hebrews 5:5-10

5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”  

 

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Yesterday, we discussed how high priests don't choose to be high priests because they are given that role. In the same way, Jesus is given the role of high priest over us, proven by the two prophecies found in the psalms that are quoted in verses 5 and 6 (Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 110:4). Both Psalms show that God gives authority to Jesus. In turn, Jesus chooses to submit to God, taking on the position of High Priest. The way He filled that role was by praying and living into the suffering He needed to in order to save us!

All of that being said, you might still be confuzzled by the "order of Melchizedek" business. Very little is known about Melchizedek, but his story is told in Genesis 14:18-20. In short, he was a priest who appeared out of nowhere after Abraham won an impressive victory in battle. Melchizedek was the King of Salem and gave praise to God for Abraham's win. So...what does Melchizedek have to do with Jesus? Melchizedek is the only king who is also a priest in the Bible, and he is the only priest mentioned before the law of Moses (and the priesthood) was created. Jesus follows in this order because He is our King and High Priest, and He is King/Priest apart from the Law and being born into the priesthood. According to the Law, priests were supposed to come from a certain tribe, which Jesus was not a part of, but He is not from that order...He is from the order of Melchizedek! A priest with no beginning and no end, who appeared in history exactly when He was needed. 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. What's important about Jesus being both King and High Priest?

 

2. Verse 7 says that Jesus prayed to "the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission." But, Jesus died. How is that verse true?

TRY THIS:

We're going to practice treating Jesus like our High Priest and King today! So, a King helps direct us, and a Priest helps us communicate to God. SO, today, ask Jesus to help reveal something to you today! Think about something you care deeply about, whether it's your future or your friend or you family, and ask Jesus to reveal what God would want you to do next in relation to that thing you care deeply about!

SONG OF THE WEEK:

 

Listen to this song and hear how Jesus is the one, the High Priest, we have been waiting for!