January 11--Evening
January 11—Evening "He ever liveth to make intercession."
It would be unwise to pass by the story of Melchizedek without noticing its typical meaning. This is fully expounded to us in—
Hebrews 7:1-3 No ancestors, or predecessors, or successors to Melchisedec are mentioned, and the apostle finds a meaning in the silence of Scripture. Some will not learn from what the Bible plainly says; but the apostle could learn even from what it does not say. In Melchisedec the regal and priestly offices were united, and he received his priesthood not by inheritance, but by an immediate divine ordination. In. these things he was eminently a type of our Lord Jesus.
Therefore our Lord did not receive the priesthood by descent, but, like Melchisedec, his ordination was direct from God.
Hebrews 7:15-17 This is the inspired testimony of David in Psalms 110., where he speaks of the Lord Jesus as his Lord, and salutes him as king and priest.
Hebrews 7:20-22 The priesthood of Jesus therefore deals with sure things which cannot pass away or change, since the oath of God confirms them.
Jesus resembles Melchisedec in being both king and priest, in having no predecessor or successor in office, and in being greater than the Levitical Priesthood. He is a priest for ever by the oath of God, and we who trust in him have this sweet consolation that our Great High Priest ever lives, is always in power, is always accessible, and always ready to perform his office on our behalf.
Thou dear Redeemer, dying Lamb, We love to hear of thee; No music's like thy charming name, Nor half so sweet can be.
Oh may we ever hear thy voice, In mercy to us speak; And in our Priest we will rejoice, Thou great Melchizedek.