Man of Mystery
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, please reveal something new to me about Yourself today.
Read Hebrews 7:1–10
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
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, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. 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.
4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 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.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is it about Jesus that surprises you most? Sometimes we think we know him better than we really do.This is not an easy passage! To understand it properly we need to understand to whom the letter is written, and what its main theme is.
The original readers were Hebrew Christians, people well-versed in the Old Testament. The author wants to show these readers just how much greater Jesus is than anything the Old Testament has to offer—and yet to show too how the Old Testament points firmly towards him.
To do that in this passage the author draws on the mysterious figure of Melchizedek, the priest-king whom we read about in Genesis 14. He seems to come out of nowhere with no mention of his family, birth or death. Melchizedek predates by centuries the priesthood established under Aaron. And even as he blesses Abraham and receives his gift, he is clearly greater than him too.
Like Melchizedek, Jesus too is both a priest and a king. In your everyday life, do you trust him to plead to the Father for you? And how are you letting him reign over you?
Apply
Jesus prays for you, reigns over you and is greater than we can imagine. Take time to rest in the hope that this brings.
Closing prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You for taking time to personally care for me. I praise You for Your love and goodness.
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