Priest and King
Hebrews 7:11–28
For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 7:17
The author of Hebrews stresses that Jesus is a priest forever in Melchizedek’s order, as opposed to any other kind of priesthood. So we ask, What is it about Melchizedek that points to the superiority of Jesus’s priesthood? Why is it important that Jesus be a priest in Melchizedek’s order rather than in the order of Aaron (v. 11)?
One answer comes from the first thing the author of Hebrews says about Melchizedek: “This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High” (v. 1 NIV). The important word in that sentence is “and,” for in Old Testament times the royal and priestly offices were kept apart, and it is only in Melchizedek and Christ that these two important functions are combined. Jesus is no mere human being. He is the God-man, as perfect in his divine as in his human attributes. He alone is able to be both priest and king.
F. B. Meyer writes, “How marvelously [these] blended in the earthly life of Jesus! As Priest, He pitied, and helped, and fed men; as King, He ruled the waves. As Priest, He uttered his sublime intercessory prayer; as King, He spoke the ‘I will’ of royal prerogative. As Priest, He touched the ear of Malchus; as the disowned King, to whom even Caesar was preferred, He was hounded to the death. As Priest, He pleaded for His murderers and spoke of Paradise to the dying thief; whilst His Kingship was attested by the proclamation affixed to His cross. As Priest, He breathed peace on His disciples; as King, He ascended to sit down upon His throne.”
The kingship of Melchizedek is particularly significant in regard to Jesus’s kingship, for it points to his superlative kingly qualities. “Melchizedek” may be just a name but it does mean “king of righteousness.” The Salem of which Melchizedek was king may have only been the early and earthly Jerusalem (see Ps. 76:2), but Salem does mean “peace.” Jesus is preeminently the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace. Moreover, he is both, and in that order. “He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace” (Heb. 7:2). Not peace at any price or at the cost of righteousness, but righteousness first—the righteousness of his personal character—the righteous meeting, on our behalf, of the just demands of a divine and holy law. And then founded on and arising from this solid and indestructible basis, there sprang the Temple of Peace in which the souls of men may shelter from the shocks of time. “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isa. 32:17–18).
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.