TOP OF THE PECKING ORDER
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for sharing in my humanity, dying in my place, and for doing what only you could do. Help me to live this and every day for you.
Read HEBREWS 7:1–10
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Melchizedek the Priest
7 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.
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Reflect
The phrase ‘pecking order’ describes hierarchy among poultry, but it is also used to describe human hierarchies! What experience do you have of hierarchies? Reflect on what you think about them.Recently I saw the Passion Play at Oberammergau in Germany, which powerfully portrays the last week of Jesus’ life. The storyline is interrupted by choral music and a series of Old Testament motionless actors. These make parallels between events in the Old Testament and those in Jesus’ passion. The writer did something like this here.
Melchizedek’s existence was heralded earlier in Hebrews (5:6). You can read about his encounter with Abraham in Genesis 14:18–20. The writer introduced this mysterious figure, a king of righteousness and of peace, suggestive of the Messiah (v. 2). He had no beginning or end, which suggested divinity (v. 3). He appeared long before the Levitical priesthood was established through Aaron, whose ancestor Levi was one of Abraham’s great grandsons (v. 10). Thus, Melchizedek’s priesthood preceded the Levitical one, which made it superior. Abraham acknowledged this superiority by the tithing of his gifts (vv. 4–6).
Sent by God, Melchizedek bestowed God’s blessing upon Abraham (v. 1). The writer used this encounter with Abraham to shed light on Jesus’ priesthood. He presented Melchizedek as one who foreshadowed Jesus (6:20). Even though Jesus existed before the beginning of time, he was not without a father or mother. He was greater than Melchizedek (v. 17).
Apply
What does it mean to you that Jesus is greater than any other? How does that affect the way you live?
Closing prayer
Jesus, you are the Alpha and Omega, the Chief Cornerstone, the King of Kings. I worship you and thank you that you are mindful of me.
Book and Author Intros
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