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REFLECTION

“Jesus like Melchizedek our High Priest” is the theme for our reflection. The writer of Hebrews’ audience was Jews who were familiar with the Old Testament and its content. His focus is to compare Jesus to the historical figures known to them and to draw the linkage between them and Jesus, and also draw the conclusion that Jesus is a better or superior version of these historical or Old Testament figures.

The audience of the epistle of Hebrews is informed that Jesus traces High Priesthood from the order of Melchizedek because Melchizedek’s priesthood is superior to the Levitical Priesthood “First, the name Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness’; then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever… (Hebrews 7:2-3) Again, Jesus traced His priesthood to Melchizedek because the Melchizedek Priesthood existed before the institution of the Levitical Priesthood through Abraham, who acknowledged the Priesthood of Melchizedek and paid his tithe to Him,  “And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die(Levite); but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living(Melchizedek). 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. (Hebrews 7:7-10)

Having established the superiority of the Priesthood of Melchizedek over the Levitical Priesthood and drawing the conclusion that Jesus takes His Priesthood according to he order of Melchizedek, the writer of Hebrews also makes us understand that the Levitical Priesthood is based on law, but Jesus, like Melchizedek, the priest of God, was based on Power and Oath. “…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. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 7:16-17 Again, “And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:   “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. Hebrews 7:20-22 “ In other words, Melchizedek and the Levitical Priestly order according to the law was the forerunner of Jesus. Just as Melchizedek was the King and Priest of righteousness and Peace, Jesus has given to us by God as the new Melchizedek whose Priesthood will last forever.

Jesus the High Priest, according to the order of Melchizedek and the Oath(not according to law) made by God, is our only source of hope and Salvation. No longer are we required to make Sacrifices according to the law, but we completely rely on Jesus, our High Priest. Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the 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 people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:23-28) Jesus is the only High Priest we must put our faith and hope in for our salvation because He is sinless, holy, blameless and pure.

In summary, the writer of Hebrews has vividly proven to us that Jesus comes from the priestly order of Melchizedek and supersedes the Priestly order of the law or the Levitical order. He has been given to us by God, not by law but by His oath and power; hence, Jesus is our ultimate High Priest who cleanses us from our sins and guarantees eternal salvation to anyone who will have faith in Him and repent.

PRAYER

Jesus, our High Priest, may you continue to be our mediator and intercessor even as we put our faith and hope in You for our salvation. Amen.