Who's a High Priest?

Scripture:

Hebrews 6:19 -20

19 We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Observation:

Who is this Melchizedek? To find out more, let's have a look at the other passages that mention him.

Hebrews 7:1-2 refers to Genesis 14 and is not just a quick summary. It actually recaps all that we know about this obscure biblical character ... "This “King Melchizedek of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him”; and to him Abraham apportioned “one-tenth of everything.” His name, in the first place, means “king of righteousness”; next he is also king of Salem, that is, “king of peace.”

Psalm 110:4

The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,

“You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

A note in my NRSV study bible says "...according to the order of Melchizedek" might also be translated "... a rightful king by my edict.”

The author of Hebrews is drawing upon the Jewish tradition of a priestly order "according to the order of Melchizedek" to prove that the claims being made about Jesus Christ do not constitute a departure from faith in the LORD God of the patriarchs. The argument is that Jesus fulfills the promises of God as opposed to cancelling or replacing them.

Application:

Sometimes when I come across an obscure reference like this in the Bible, I am tempted to get overly focussed on getting to the bottom of the mystery. It is fun to imagine that I might uncover some secret knowledge that will give me special insight into the God of Angel Armies ... maybe even special access to God Almighty.

The teaching here will allow no such pride. The author of Hebrews refers to Melchizedek only to prove the point that in Jesus we have a new and perfect High Priest.  

While other High Priests held a special knowledge of God and accessed God through prayer or sacrifice on behalf of the common people who were (supposedly) not worthy of such closeness to the One True God, Jesus comes to us as both Emmanuel (God with us) and High Priest.  

Because Jesus is intimately connected to the Father 

AND 

intimately connected to us, 

we all enjoy the privilege of direct access to God.

I like the story in the image above because it makes a similar point in a playful way.

What do you think: Does this image of Jesus bending the rules square with your experience of how God works in the world and in your life?

Prayer:

Jesus, Thank you for sharing the privileged relationship You enjoy with the Father so freely. As we follow you day-by-day, teach us to share our blessings and gifts - material and spiritual - just as freely. Amen.