9.28 The priesthood of Melchizedek is greater than the priesthood of Levi
Let us continue on comparing the priesthood of Melchizedek with the priesthood of Levi.
Under the Old Covenant of law, priests came from the tribe of Levi. The first High Priest, Aaron came from the tribe of Levi.
The author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is our eternal High Priest in heaven today. But he tells us that Jesus is not of the order of Levi, which was under the law. Jesus is from the higher order of Melchizedek, the High Priest whom Abraham paid a tithe to.
The author explains that the greater always blesses the lesser, and the lesser pays tithes to the greater. In a sense, even Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek, the greater. This is because Levi was in the loins of Abraham when Abraham paid a tithe to Melchizedek. Therefore the priesthood of Melchizedek is greater than the priesthood of Levi, and Jesus is from the order of Melchizedek.
(Hebrews 7:4-10)
Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
To the Hebrews who were about to turn their back on Jesus, to revert to animal sacrifices under the priesthood of Levi, the author tells them that there is a better and greater priesthood that has now come – under the New Covenant. He is the Son of God who has passed through the heavens. He is perfect and He is the author of our eternal salvation.
(Hebrews 4:14-15; 5:9-10)
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”...
The same could not be said of any imperfect priest under the Old Covenant. Today we are privileged to have Jesus as our High Priest. He is perfect and able to save.
Under the Old Covenant of law, priests came from the tribe of Levi. The first High Priest, Aaron came from the tribe of Levi.
The author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is our eternal High Priest in heaven today. But he tells us that Jesus is not of the order of Levi, which was under the law. Jesus is from the higher order of Melchizedek, the High Priest whom Abraham paid a tithe to.
The author explains that the greater always blesses the lesser, and the lesser pays tithes to the greater. In a sense, even Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek, the greater. This is because Levi was in the loins of Abraham when Abraham paid a tithe to Melchizedek. Therefore the priesthood of Melchizedek is greater than the priesthood of Levi, and Jesus is from the order of Melchizedek.
(Hebrews 7:4-10)
Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
To the Hebrews who were about to turn their back on Jesus, to revert to animal sacrifices under the priesthood of Levi, the author tells them that there is a better and greater priesthood that has now come – under the New Covenant. He is the Son of God who has passed through the heavens. He is perfect and He is the author of our eternal salvation.
(Hebrews 4:14-15; 5:9-10)
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”...
The same could not be said of any imperfect priest under the Old Covenant. Today we are privileged to have Jesus as our High Priest. He is perfect and able to save.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 10:30 PM
<< Home