1	A Priest Forever Hebrews 7:1-28
2	Melchizedek “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (5:6) He “was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (5:10) “He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (6:20) “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (7:17)
3	Who is Melchizedek? “This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High”
4	Genesis 14:18-20 “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram … Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” (NIV)
5	Hebrews 7:1-3 “This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means ‘king of righteousness’; then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace.’ Without father or mother, without genealogy, with beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.” (NIV)
6	Genesis/Hebrews Melchizedek, King of Righteousness “King” (melek) + “my” = (melki) + “righteousness” (zedek) King of Salem, King of Peace (shalem) Brought bread & wine He was priest of God Most High Blessed Abram Abram gave him 1/10^th Without father/mother, without genealogy, without beginning/end. Like Son of God. He remains forever.
7	Two Interpretations Author’s point is an analogy. No genealogy is given for Melchizedek because unlike the Aaronic priesthood, in the Melchizedek priesthood genealogy is unimportant. The phrases “w/o mother, father, genealogy, beginning and end” should be taken literally.
8	Who is Melchizedek Early Jewish Thought (Literal) An angel who took human form Rabbis of 1^st Century (Figurative) Shem, the son of Noah Some current theologians (Literal) A “Theophany” or “Christophany” Other scholars (Figurative) A historical person of righteousness
9	How is Melchizedek Superior to Aaron? “Just think how great he was …” (4)
10	Hebrews 7:4-7 “Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people … even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater.” (NIV)
11	How is Melchizedek Superior? Abraham tithed to Melchizedek
12	How is Melchizedek Superior? Abraham tithed to Melchizedek Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek
13	How is Melchizedek Superior? Abraham tithed to Melchizedek Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek The Melchizedek priesthood was royal
14	How is Melchizedek Superior? Abraham tithed to Melchizedek Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek The Melchizedek priesthood was royal The Melchizedek priesthood was righteous
15	How is Melchizedek Superior? Abraham tithed to Melchizedek Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek The Melchizedek priesthood was royal The Melchizedek priesthood was righteous The Melchizedek priesthood was eternal
16	Hebrews 7:15-16 “And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.” (NIV)
17	Why Does it Matter? “Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant … he is able to save completely … such a high priest meets our need.” (22-25)
18	Hebrews 7:22-26 “Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant … because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the …”
19	Hebrews 7:27-28 “people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.” (NIV)
20	A Summary of Qualities Jesus lives forever Jesus has permanent priesthood Jesus is able to save completely Jesus lives to intercede for us Jesus meets our needs Jesus is holy, blameless, pure, set apart Jesus is exalted above the heavens Jesus has offered one sacrifice, once for all Jesus is perfect forever
21	Fulfillment of O.T. Prophecy “He will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne.” (Zech 6:13, NIV) “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (Ps 110:4, NIV)
22	Jesus, Our Melchizedek Jesus is God’s provision for help in our daily life, incomparable in greatness, inexhaustible in resource, infinite in patience, infallible in wisdom and interested in all that concerns us. Why would you desire anything/anyone else?