5th December, 2010

BRUCE C. WEARNE

Read Hebrews 7: 1-10

Why is Melchizedek so great? The meaning of the passage here turns on this observation: "It is beyond all (argument) that the lesser is (here) blessed by the (greater)" (7: 7).

PASSING ON BLESSING: Engraving of "Melchizedek Blesses Abraham" published in 'The Story of the Bible from  Genesis to Revelation, published by Charles Foster in 1883. PICTURE: © Andrea Gingerich (www.stockphoto.com) "(O)nce more we are reminded that the greatness of Melchizedek which can be seen now because his name has been adopted by none other than Christ Jesus! This Greater-than-Melchizedek fulfils the promise of blessing, that all the families of the earth would bless themselves in their relationship with Him."

The words "lesser" and "greater" have been used earlier in the letter, when the writer seeks to explain the coming of the Messiah, the Son of Man who fulfilled the office of man: "But we do see the One who, having Himself (also) been limited a little (compared) to angels, (that is) Jesus, now crowned with (that) status and honour because of (His) suffering unto death, in which through God's grace He has tasted death for all" (2: 9).

And this is the One who "was not to take on the (office of) angels, but rather...the seed of Abraham. And in so doing, He in all ways bound Himself to become (just) like His brothers, (in order to) become a sympathetic and faithful High Priest in regard to the things of God, (and) concretely demonstrate the (divine) mercy which covers the sins of the people." (2: 16-17).

And so, once more we are reminded that the greatness of Melchizedek which can be seen now because his name has been adopted by none other than Christ Jesus! This Greater-than-Melchizedek fulfils the promise of blessing, that all the families of the earth would bless themselves in their relationship with Him.

That was the ancient promise given to Abraham when He was told "Get going!" The promise holds true for ever. The writer confirms that the "lesser" here, Abraham, carried the seed of God's promise and so the One Promised indeed became identified with this "lesser" - "taking on the seed of Abraham". He did so in order to restore the human office in terms of a Royal Priesthood in God's own family.

If, after Levi, one still identifies one's obligation to the Lord by reference to the hereditary "lines" of Israel's family, then, says the writer, Levi's obligation has already been effectively paid which, from within the Levitical line, raises the question of Melchizedek's significance and the future of the Levitical service. But now Christ, the Lamb prefigured in the Levitical sacrifice, has come...

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