05.19. Our Melchizedek Priest
Our Melchizedek Priest
"The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." Psalms 110:4
Jesus centers in His own person, the office both of King and Priest. Thus was He foreshadowed by Joshua the High Priest. Crowns were placed upon his head, and thus he stood as a type of Messiah. "Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jehozadak. Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD. It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two." (Zechariah 6:11-13.) In earlier days was Jesus also thus set forth in type by Melchizedek. The word Melchizedek signifies, king of righteousness; he was also king of Salem, or king of peace. He was also a priest of the the most high God.
It is in this latter character that I would now endeavor to set him before you as an eminent type of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is thus that the Holy Spirit by the pen of David foretells the work of our Lord: "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." The idea of a priest is that of one who stands as a mediator between God and man, one who by sacrifice and intercession, can bring near those whom sin has separated. Under the law we have Aaron, in the fulfillment of his office by sacrifice, by sprinkling of the blood, by pleading in the most holy place, obtaining pardon and acceptance for Israel. Thus was Aaron, as set forth in the Epistle to the Hebrews, a type of Christ in His priestly office. But from the same Epistle we discover that in Melchizedek, there was a still more remarkable setting forth of His work. In several respects was there a pre-eminency in Melchizedek that affords a most instructive view of the glorious priesthood of Christ.
Christ as a High Priest stands alone. Melchizedek was not one of a line or order, but a solitary priest, as far as we can learn, without predecessor, without successor. This affords the explanation of a difficult passage in Hebrews 7:1-28. He is there said to be "without father, without mother, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life." It is likely that the simplest interpretation is the true one. The Jewish priests had their genealogy most carefully traced. The name of the father and mother must be given, that their descent from Aaron might be clearly ascertained. Their birth and death likewise was exactly noted down. But with Melchizedek it was otherwise. Nothing of all this is recorded. The short history given of him in Genesis 14:1-24, is all that is left us: "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine — and he was the priest of the most high God." We are told neither of his father or his mother, of his birth or his death. He was one alone by himself.
Thus is it with Christ. He has a priesthood perfectly distinct from all others. None share with Him in carrying it forward. None succeed Him in it on earth, now that He has passed into the heavens. We dare not for one moment couple with Him in His work of intercession, either Mary, or Joseph, or saints or angels; neither dare we suppose that His ministering servants on earth perform a like office to that which He performs above. "He has an unchangeable priesthood." (Hebrews 7:24.) The word used is remarkable. It signifies "that passes not from one to another." Therefore in the highest sense of the word — no priest is to be found on earth. Not one single instance is there in the New Testament of the word priest being applied to those who are now ambassadors for Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Remember that in this, Christ abides alone. He alone searches the heart, therefore none but He can receive our confessions, or can absolve the penitent. To Jesus alone must the eye of the sinner be directed. Consider His dignity as well beloved of the Father. Consider His all-prevailing plea, His own precious blood, His all-sufficient merit. Consider His infinite tenderness and compassion. Consider that He is One who can sympathize in every pang that rends the heart, One who has passed through every dark chamber of trial that can be appointed for us, One who has been tempted in all things even as we are, and therefore can support in every hour of need.
Jesus stands alone in Heaven as the one great High Priest of mankind. Take care, my fellow sinner, that He stands alone in your heart. No word or work, no prayer or tear, no thought or deed of yours must share with Him the glory of your salvation. Look not to self, rely not upon the absolution pronounced by man — but from all, turn to Him who is at the Father’s right hand. When the weight of a life-time’s transgression lies heavy on your conscience, behold Him as your Advocate, bearing still the marks of that death which atones for your guilt. When you bend low in fervent supplication before the mercy seat, lift your eye to Him who by His gracious mediation shall secure the success of every petition. When the end draws near, when your trembling spirit takes its flight from its earthly tabernacle — let Jesus alone be the one trust, the one stay, the one resting-place of your soul.
Jesus as our High Priest comes forth to bless His people. Read the account given of Melchizedek in Genesis. As God’s High Priest he pronounced a solemn blessing on the father of the faithful. Thus does Jesus bless those that follow in Abraham’s footsteps. He ever loves to bless. On the Mount of Olives he opened His mouth, saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit," "blessed are the meek," etc. When they brought young children to Him, He laid His hands on them and blessed them. When going back to His glory, His last act was to bless His disciples. When He had ascended, Peter declared that God still sent him to bless them in turning away every one of them from their iniquities. When He shall return again it will be still the same: "Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." And who shall say how rich, how precious is the blessing that Jesus gives? It is not mere words. A friend may say, "God bless you," but it may mean but little. But the blessing of Jesus is a reality . . .
it goes with a man through life,
it abides with him when the heart is desolate through the loss of life’s companions,
it forsakes him not in the chamber of suffering or in the hour of death,
it disannuls the curse due to his sin,
it lifts off the whole guilt of a broken law,
it ensures the favor of a Father in Heaven,
it brings with it the grace and presence of the sanctifying Spirit,
it stamps upon the soul the image of God,
it opens wide to a man the gate of the everlasting city.
Reader, fail not earnestly to seek this blessing from your great High Priest. Ask it in faith, and it is yours. The Priesthood of Christ is perpetual and abiding. "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." "He ever lives to make intercession." What a sorrow must it have been to a godly Israelite, when Aaron, or Eleazar, or some priest to whom he had often unburdened his sin or his grief was cut off by death and some stranger took his place. But our Priest abides continually. Life’s companions say good-by. Those who have journeyed on with us for thirty, forty, or fifty years, leave us behind. But here is our consolation: Christ lived and was dead — and behold he is alive for evermore. While we cleave to Him, we can never lack a counselor, or one who will cease to pray for us. Upon no single thing can we lay our hand and say, "This shall be mine tomorrow." Some rough storm may come and sweep away in an hour that which most we prize. But Jesus Christ abides. The Rock of ages stands forever.
Jesus abides a Priest by the solemn oath of God: "The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." The Jewish priests were consecrated without an oath, but Christ with one, to manifest that He was the Surety of a better covenant. (See Hebrews 7:20; Hebrews 7:22.) And how much security has the believer here! It is not only the promise, but the oath of God. It is His sure guarantee that Christ will execute His office on behalf of all who commit their souls into His hand. Here is certainty. Here is a solid resting place for the anxious soul. Do you tremble as you remember former iniquities? Do many doubting, fearful thoughts arise in your mind? Does your heart suggest reasons why you will be cast off? Does the Evil One harass you, whispering in your ear that you are not a child of God, and can never be saved? Yet whom will you believe? Your own deceitful heart? Him who was a liar from the beginning? Or the word of a faithful God? Can the oath of God be broken? Not until then, can your confidence be disappointed — if only you honestly confess your sin and rely on the mediation of Christ. But we add here a word of solemn warning to those that pass by the offer of salvation in Christ — and yet hope to find mercy. The oath of God is light to those who believe — but it is as darkness to others. What does the oath of God say to those that reject Christ? What does God say of the unbelieving Israelites? "I swore in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest!" This was true of Israel of old. The testimony of the Apostle shows that it is true now of those that believe not.
You neglect God’s own appointed way of peace, you value not the blood that has been shed, you draw not near to the mercy-seat in the name of the one Priest — yet you hope that perchance after all you may find a place in the kingdom of Heaven. Yet God must forfeit His own eternal truth, He must deny Himself, He must make void His own oath — if without faith in Christ you partake of His promised rest. Take heed in time. Venture not your soul’s salvation on such a hope as this. Turn to Him who is yet willing to plead your cause: "Behold, now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation."
O You, the contrite sinner’s Friend,
Who loving, lovest them to the end,
On this alone my hopes depend,
That You will plead for Me.
When, weary in the Christian race,
Far off appears my resting place,
And fainting I mistrust Your grace,
Then, Savior, plead for me. When I have err’d and gone astray,
Afar from You and wisdom’s way,
And see no glimmering, guiding ray,
Still, Savior, plead for me. When Satan, by my sins made bold,
Strives from Your cross to loose my hold,
Then with Your pitying arms enfold
And plead, O plead for me. And when my dying hour draws near,
Darkened with anguish, pain, and fear,
Then to my fainting sight appear,
Pleading in Heaven for me. When the full light of heavenly day
Reveals my sins in dread array,
Say You have washed them all away,
O say You plead’st for me.