Hebrews 7 - 10

We learn a lot about Melchizedek in Hebrews:

· He was the king of the city of Salem

· He was a priest of God Most High

· He met and blessed Abraham after a great battle against the kings

· Abraham gave him a tenth of all he captured in battle.

· Melchizedek means "king of justice"

· King of Salem means king of peace

· There is no record of his father or mother or any other ancestors -- no beginning or ending to his life

· He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God

· He placed a blessing upon Abraham -- the person who has the power to give blessing is greater than the one who is blessed

· Jesus is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek

Because Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, Jesus could offer himself as the sacrifice for the people's sins. Jesus is our "High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands."

We learn of the superiority of the new covenant as opposed to the old covenant. In the new covenant, God writes his laws in our minds and on our hearts; he will be our God and we will be his people. He says, "I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins."

Hebrews 9:28 says, "so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him." Hebrews 10:14 tells us "For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy."

Tomorrow, we'll read Hebrews 11 - 13.

Until next time…