Course: Jesus the Son of God

Section Five:  The Exalted Son of God

Lesson 9

Lesson Title: The Melchisedek Priesthood

 

Theme: The Present Ministry of the Son of God;

 

Text: Psalm 110:4 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchisedek'.

 

Introduction:  The priesthood of Melchisedek.

The appearance of Melchisedek is very short but the significance is great, Genesis 14:18-20.

1)   Melchisedek was a priest of God Most High: El Elyon (Genesis 14:18) - Far above all.

2)   He brings forth bread and wine (covenant relationship)

3)   He blesses Abram

The book of Hebrews shows that Melchisedek is a type of the priesthood of the Son of God (Hebrews 7).

 

There is a contrast between the blessing of Melchisedek and the riches of Sodom.

1)   Abram paid tithes to Melchisedek in recognition that all that he had was the Lord's.

2)   Abram refused the riches offered by the King of Sodom.

3)   The blessing of the Lord is more to be desired than the riches of the world.

 

Principle of tithing

Giving the tenth occurred before the law. 

Legalistic tithing without joy is not beneficial to the giver. 

Cheerful giving out of love for the Lord is of great benefit to the giver.

 

The Kingly line of Judah and the Old Testament High Priest.

Jesus and John the Baptist.

When Jesus was born Herod was King of Israel.

1)   Herod the Great was an Idumeaen.  His family had no scriptural right to the throne.

2)   Jesus was of the kingly line of Judah and the rightful heir to the throne as the descendant of David (Matthew 1:1-17).

When Jesus was crucified Caiaphas was High Priest.

1)   Caiaphas the High Priest had no scriptural right to be High Priest.

2)   John the Baptist who prepared the way for the ministry of Jesus was of the priestly line of Levi.  John the Baptist was the descendant of Aaron and the rightful heir to the High Priest (Luke 1:5).

 

 

Main Points:

1.   The nature of the Melchisedek priesthood.

Who Jesus is.

 

a)   A royal priesthood. Melchisedek was both King and a Priest.  This was impossible under the Aaronic priesthood.  The priests were Levites. 

Jesus was not a priest after the order of Aaron. Jesus was of the kingly line of Judah.  He could not enter Holy Place in the temple.

When Jesus was crucified Pilate wrote 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'.  Jesus hung on the cross as both King and Priest.  He offered His life as a sacrifice for sin.

 

b)   King of Righteousness.  His name is Righteousness.  It depicts one who is inherently righteous. 

Jesus Christ is the Righteous One. His name is Jehovah Tsidkenu, The Lord our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:5-6  'Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.'

Evidence of being born again of the Spirit of God is righteousness.   1 John 2:29  'If you know that he is righteous, you know that every one that does righteousness is born of him.'  1 John 3:7  'Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.'

 

c)   King of Salem - The city of Melchisedek is peace.  This is where He rules. 

Jesus is King of peace.   2 Thessalonians 3:16  Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

He brings peace that reconciles; leads and keeps.

i)     Reconciling.  Romans 5:1 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:'

ii)    Ruling.  Colossians 3:15  'And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be thankful.'

iii)   Keeping.  Philippians 4:7 'And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.'

 

 

2.   A completed work.

His work.

 

a)   Priesthood

Caiaphas tore his clothes.  Matthew 26:65  Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

Caiaphas tore his clothes because he was angry but God had him do it because there was no need for a High Priest serving in the temple anymore.

The law stated: 

Leviticus 21:10  'And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;'. 

The true High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the eternal High Priest.

 

b)   Sacrifices

On the cross Jesus cried 'it is finished'.  John 19:30 'When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.'

The work was finished.

The Son of God was made a curse on the cross so that we can be redeemed from the curse of the law.

Galatians 3:13  'Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:'

 

c)   Temple

Veil of the temple torn from the top to the bottom.

Matthew 27:51  'And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;'

The veil of the temple was torn from the top to the bottom because the way into the presence of the Lord had been made open through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are able to come boldly into the presence of the Father because of the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son.

Hebrews 4:16  'Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.'

 

d)   New Creation

The believer is:

·     Crucified with Christ  (Galatians 2:20)

·     Buried with Christ  (Romans 6:4)

·     Risen with Christ  (Colossians 3:1)

·     Ascended with Christ  (Colossians 2:6)

 

 

3.   His Ascension - Far above all (God Most High). 

An eternal priesthood.

When Jesus ascended into heaven He sat down because the work was finished (Hebrews 1:3; 10:12). 

The priest in the temple was never allowed to sit down. 

 

a)   He ascended where He has always been as the Son of God now He is there as Man. 

Far above all (Ephesians 1:21).  He is Lord - the name above all names  (Philippians 2:11).

He inherited everything that had always been His as the Son of God.

Everything that has always been His is now our inheritance in Christ

 

b)   An Eternal Priesthood.  Hebrews 7: 25  'Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.' 

There is no record of Melchisedek's birth or death.  Hebrews 7:3 'Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually.' 

The Lord is our eternal representative. 

He is seated in the presence of the Father on our behalf eternally.

We have an advocate with the Father, 1 John 2:1. The Lord Jesus is our intercessor who represents us before the Father for ever.

There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:34  'Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.'

 

c)   The outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  The promised blessing of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:38-39  'Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.'

The blessing of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is to 'as many as be afar off'. 

It is for every believer in the present day.

 

 

Summary:

The priestly ministry of the Son of God is

1)   A royal priesthood

2)   A completed work

3)   An eternal priesthood

 

 

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