Who is the most interesting guy you’ve ever met? In 2006 there was a marketing campaign that said it was this guy; Don Equis.
Yet, the guys real name was Jonathan Goldsmith. Yet, he played the role of “Don Equis; the most interesting man in the world.”
He depicted a debonair, cosmopolitan figure who lived a so-called deeply fulfilling life, traveling the world, engaging in activities like “the running of the bulls”, playing frisbee with a seal, and walking barefoot over coals.”
Commercial said things like this: “People hang on his every word, he could disarm you with his looks or his hands either way, he can speak French in Russian, his organ donation card also includes his beard, his blood smells like cologne, he lives vivariously through himself he is the most interesting man in the world.”
The advertisements, for a beer company by the way, painted the picture of a mysterious man who everyone wanted to know, who seemed to experience life to the level that everyone wanted to somehow know him and perhaps replicate his life to the point that Time Magazine actually listed his commercials as the 8th top commercial ad on TV.
Transition:
In Jewish life, there was a real person who seemed to fit a similar persona. He was the most interesting person in Hebrew life. That man was a priest named “Melchizedek.”
Melchizedek is a mysterious man in scripture. He appears only once in the historical narrative of the Hebrew scripture (Genesis 14: 1-17) who we know very little about.
Three things are communicated about him:
a) First, he was the king of Salem or in Hebrew; the King of a place called “peace.” Salem means
peace.
b) Second, his name Melchizedek is a compound word that means “righteous king.”
c) Third, he is different from other guys because he was both; a priest and a king.
He is definitely, if not one of the most interesting and mysterious guys in the Bible, if not the most mysterious and interesting guys that ever lived.
Transition:
Now, for a second time in the Book of Hebrews, the writer brings up Melchizedek and compares Him to Jesus.
In this comparison, in verse 1-2, He rehearses the historical story of Melchizedek and how Abraham was coming out of a battle and meets Melchizedek face to face saying: “ For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.”
Then he begins to make a series of contrasts that helps us understand who Jesus is to us today.
Hebrews 7 provides a contrast of Melchizedek and Jesus. In this we get to know who Jesus is to us every day.
Transitional Sentence: Who is Jesus?
I. He’s Greater Than Anyone You Know
vs. 1- “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.”
Explanation:
Who is Melchizedek and why does it matter?
Abraham has been in a fight and the God Most High has given him victory. On his way out of the fight, he comes in contract with Melchizedek. Soon, he’s going into another fight but God gives him a divine pause. In this divine pause; God ministers to and strengthens Abraham.
This was a type of divine intermission. It was for a moment. A divine moment of need.
The Bible tells us that when Abraham saw “Mel” he gave him bread and wine to restore Abraham’s strength. Likewise, verse 1 tells us that when he met with Abraham; “he blessed him.”
The word “blessed” here means: “Endowed with divine favor and protection.”
For a minute, God gives him a place of peace and a person of peace to help restore, renew, and get you from one battle to the next.
How many of you know that in this world there’s a fight going on? Last week you had a battle and next week might bring another one. Spiritual battles happen. The enemy is constantly tempting and trying us. He’s relentless it seems.
Yet, praise the Lord, God gives spiritual intermissions when He shows up and ministers to us. Do you know what Old Testament Priests did for people; they interceded for them. They stood in the gap. They come to the AID OF and go to the ALTAR FOR people.
That’s what is so shocking about the story Jesus told about the man who fell among thieves. The Bible tells us that when he came by, he walked around and past the guy that was hurting. He ignored his need.
Yet, Jesus is not that kind of priest. He is like Melchizedek. He shows up and comes to our aid. He refreshes, restores, and makes sure that what happened last week won’t mow you down, and he’s going to strengthen you for what’s next.
Yet, Melchizedek’s priesthood was to provide a divine intermission; but Jesus priesthood provides a permanent divine intervention.
In life, we need a priest like that!
In verse 17 we read this about Jesus: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus is a priest. After the order of Melchizedek or “in the line of” Melchizedek. In the Bible you could be one of two things: A priest or a king. But you could not be both.
Melchizedek is the only other person in human history who was both; that is, until Jesus came around and Jesus was even greater than Melchizedek. You see “Mel” was a priest and a King; but Jesus is prophet, priest, and king.
Do you know what that means? When it comes to you, he’s got all the bases covered.
a) As a prophet, when it comes to knowing the truth about your future, he knows it.
b) As a priest, when it comes to being beside you in the future, he’s with you.
c) As a king, when it comes to being Lord over tomorrow and your eternity, he’s got it, because
He rules and reigns over it all.
He’s prophet priest, and king. He’s got the bases cover.
Yet, in contrast as well. Melchizedek was able to provide Abraham a temporary divine intermission; yet Jesus according to verse 21 is “a priest forever” who is present in all ages and at work in our lives and human history. He is the one that provides a never-ending divine intervention for all our calendars and all days on earth.
Illustration: Divine Intervention
Throughout American history there have been many recorded times of divine intervention but perhaps none as dramatic as in the War of 1812 when the British stormed up the Chesapeake headed for Washington.
On August 24, 1814 President Madison grabbed the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence and fled as the British marched in and burned the US Capitol and Library of Congress and invade (literally) the White House and raided it standing and making a toast in the kitchen and looting the mansion.
Yet, in an almost Old Testament type of retribution, with the city in flames, a tornado touched down in the US Capitol and plowed a patch of instant terror through downtown DC, uprooting trees, throwing around canons and tossing redcoats like maple leaves.
The British literally fled the city and admitted that God was on our side and the rest is history.
That’s not the only time. During the Battle of the Bulge, which is considered to be the bloodiest battle in American history Patton was undersize with 12,000 men surrounded by Germans.
For over a month the weather was impossible and Patton needed 24 hours of good weather to fight his way out of the mess they were in and the weather forecast offered no hope in the near future.
Knowing it was literally a life and death situation, Patton went to Army Chaplain Col. James ONeill and had him write up a prayer and print 250,000 wallet sized prayer cards to be distributed to the troops begging God to intervene.
American history reads like this: “God literally reached down with his fists and punched a hole through the clouds directly because of Patton’s prayer and the weather suddenly cleared up, giving just enough time for victory.”
In response, this was named Patton’s finest hour and Patton awarded Chaplain O’Neill with the Bronze star for writing the prayer.”
Application:
In Jewish history, Priest Melchizedek provided a “temporary intermission” for Abraham; but Jesus provides a never-ending divine intervention for you and me.
There were many Old Testament Priests that came along after Melchizedek. In verse 5, we are reminded that from the sons of Levi there were many Priests through the ages that they called “Levitical Priests” yet Jesus is greater and stands as your High Priest to intercede, intervene for you.
Jesus is the greatest than anyone you can ever know.
Transition: So by making the comparison who is Jesus to you, right here, and right now in your life?
II. He’s Greater Than Anything You Can Value
Vs. 4- “Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.”
Explanation:
In Abraham’s day, one of the ways that people would worship God was by giving a tithe and offering to God. Many of us still do that as a means of worship.
When I was a boy and started mowing lawns, I was taught to tithe. At that time I remember mowing lawns for $4.00 a yard and gladly bringing 40 cents to church the next Sunday to thank God for His blessing on my life.
Tithing is a Biblical concept of worship. Malachi 3:10 says: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will meat in my house and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and poor out a blessing so great that you will not have room enough to receive it.” Then God says: “Put me to the test!”
Abraham valued God’s presence and blessing in his life so do your know how he responded? He tithed.
In many ways, it was one of the ways that he not only worshipped and thanked God for the victory he brought in the battle the week before, but it was also the way he made it clear that he was trusting God for the battles ahead.
Throughout the ages, God’s people have tithed on the first day of the week. They started their week by worshipping and giving their tithe as if to say, “I’m trusting you to provide again this week.”
Yet, tithing was not simply a matter of expressing ones faith in God’s financial provisions; it’s also a way of expressing ones appreciation for God’s spiritual provisions.
Tithing was not unique in Israel. Many pagan gods were honored by the giving of the tithe. People used tithing to declare who their god is. Often our wallets say something about what we worship. Tithing to God in Abraham’s day was a declaration of who His God was- it was the MOST HIGH GOD.
In the following verses we learn about the greatest provision God gave to us through Jesus.
Using Melchizedek in contrast he teaches us several things Jesus provides for us:
a) Melchizedek seemed to come out of nowhere; yet Jesus comes out of eternity and into
eternity. He encompasses all time and eternity. He has no beginning and end. (vs. 3)
b) Melchizedek ministered to Abraham, but Jesus ministers to us today. When he is living in
you he teaches you. He comforts you. He guides you. He leads you.
c) Melchizedek and the Levitical priests were priests for a period of time; Jesus is our High
Priest that intercedes through the ages. He is the perfect and permanent priest. Vs. 11-17
d) The former priests were made Priests because they were born in the tribe of Levi but Jesus
literally “took an oath” with God the Father and was guaranteed His eternal priesthood by
God (Psalm 110:4) so we now need no other Priest to intercede for us but Jesus because
“literally” Jesus took an oath of office to be your permanent Priest. ! Vs. 20.
Here’s what Psalm 110:4 says: “The Lord has sworn (taken an oath) and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
e) The former priests could not continue because they died, but Jesus is the permanent priest
because He rose from the dead and is alive forevermore! Vs. 23-24
This passage reminds us of how valuable Jesus is in our life. No one and nothing compares to how valuable He really is.
Judas Iscariot is an example of someone who allowed worldly goods to distort his perception of Jesus’ worth. Judas was blinded by greed and reception and failed to recognize the true worth of Jesus that led to his tragic downfall.
In Judas day this 30 pieces of silver was the price of a slave; around 4 months labor.
Illustration: Warren Buffett-Devalues Jesus
In June of 2006 Warren Buffet announced that he would donate 85% of his 44-billion-dollar fortune to 5 charities. In response to his generosity, the news media asked him: “What motivated you to give so much of your fortune away?”
Warren said: (and I quote) “There’s more than one way to get to heaven, but this is a good way.”
Application:
The fact is: There is only one way to heaven and his name is Jesus.
John 14:6: “ I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me.”
Warren was wrong on several accounts. First, he devalued Jesus. You can’t even compare the value of Jesus to the value of money. Judas did and the results were tragic. Second, he felt that there was something else that could besides Calvary that could purchase us and redeem us from our sins; and only Jesus blood can do that.
As a Priest, Jesus stands also as the greatest price ever paid for anyone and anything. Listen: The Son of God was the price paid for you to know God and join His family.
We don’t have a cheap salvation.
If you think your good deeds is valuable enough to purchase your salvation- you’ve under estimated the value of Jesus. If you think religious ceremony can purchase your salvation- you’ve underestimated the value of Jesus. Nothing is more valuable than Jesus and His shed blood for you and me.
Transition: So by making the comparison who is Jesus to you, right here, and right now in your life?
III. He’s Greater Than Death
Vs. 25-28- “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them, for it is fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests to offer up sacrifices for the sins of people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests that are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”
Explanation:
The key word in Hebrews 7 is the word “forever.”
The writer of Hebrews who acknowledged God but would not acknowledge Jesus. The accepted the Old Testament but discarded the New Testament, they wanted the law of God but not the liberty found in Jesus - they were accepting the temporary and rejecting the permanent.
Yet, again, the word “forever” is what God wants to drive home to us.
Notice what verse 25 says: “Therefore, He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He is always making intercession for us.”
Through Jesus God made a way for you to be saved and your eternity secured forever and it is possible because Jesus (as our High Priest) is always (perpetually) making intercession for us.
What does that mean? It means that through Him God offers “eternal life.” Think about it, life is not eternal if you can lose it. It’s temporary, not eternal.
Yet, Jesus said: “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.”
John 5:24 (Eternal life is forever)
Through being our High Priest, he gives us salvation that is secure.
Jude 1:24 says: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Ephesians 4:30 says: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [a]by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Taking the office of Priest and Intercessor to consistently provide forgiveness and intercession for us allows us to live a secure life; knowing that we have in our possession “eternal life” through Jesus Christ.
When we genuinely know Jesus, we know we have eternal life because the Bible says: “These things have been written that you may know you have eternal life.” I John
Illustration: Sarah Winchester- Fear of death
Fear of death is a paralyzing thing.
Sarah Winchester- wife of Oliver Winchester- the owner of Winchester Rifles acquired a fortune following his death in 1918. Yet, after he died, she became polarized on the fear of death.
In response, someone told her that if she kept building her house that she would “never die” and she believed it. Although at 85 she discovered that she had been led wrong and died herself.
Yet, trusting in her building project to give her “eternal life” she spent 5 million dollars building her mansion. The mansion had 150 rooms, 13 bathrooms, 2000 doors and 10,000 windows. Likewise, she left enough money and materials for the building to continue another 80 years.
In 1998 when the building stopped, all that was left was an empty house that now is nothing more than a museum and silent witness of how much the fear of death holds over millions of people who are hoping to never die.
Application:
Yet, when Jesus rose again, He not only conquered death, but He ascended to heaven to permanently serve as our High Priest who not only saves us; but provides security through His ability to give real, genuine, eternal life.
John 10: 28-30 is Jesus’ promise to those who trust Him as Savior and Lord. We read:
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Invitation:
Today, will you go to your Priest? He’s the Greatest, Highest, Priest and King Jesus.
