2022-Q1-L6

2022-Q1-L6: Jesus, The Faithful Priest

Read for This Week’s Study: Heb. 5:1–10; Gen. 14:18–20; 1 Pet. 2:9; Heb. 7:1–3; Heb. 7:11–16, 22, 26.

Memory Text: “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26, NKJV).

Focus: Hebrews 5:1-10 and Hebrews 7:1-28.

Melchizedek typology

Melchizedek. Hebrew malkī-ṣeḏeq, from melek "king" and sedeq "righteousness." The first element "malki" means "king of", so that the name literally translates to "king of righteousness" and is the more accepted meaning.

Hebrews 2:17: Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Melchizedek is a priest-king. Not possible in the Levitical system.

Dual kingship. Melchizedek means "king of righteousness" and he was also king of Salem, that is, "king of peace." Jesus offers to us righteousness (Romans 3) and peace with God (Romans 5).

Both Psalm 110 and Zechariah 6:12-13 reference this dual quality to the coming Messiah (i.e. the Branch in Zechariah).

Priest to the Most High God. The Bible gives the sense that "El Elyon" was not just the God of the Jews but of all people. Nebuchadnezzar refers to Him.

Jesus' baptism. Jesus was 30 years old when he began his ministry (Luke 3:23). Jesus was baptized by John (a son of a priest) by the Jordan River near where Joshua had led the Israelites into Canaan.

In Jesus first sermon in Luke 4, he quotes Isaiah 61 which to the Essenes (Qumran community where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found) pointed to the coming Messiah that was called Melchizedek.

Melchizedek in the Dead Sea Scrolls. See Qumran scroll named 11Q13. "[Melchize]dek who will return them and will proclaim liberty to them to relieve them from […] all their iniquities… (5-6) to atone on it for all the sons of […] people of the lot of Melchizedek (8)"

Ibid. Paul Rainbow argues that the writer of 11Q13 believed Melchizedek was Messiah.

Baptized to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). A "new" priest was first "baptized" (i.e. ritual bath) and then anointed.

Jesus' Baptism Into Priesthood (archived in PDF). The Church Fathers Tertullian, Ambrose, and Augustine all claimed that baptism inducts the baptized person into membership in the royal priesthood of the church, and Thomas Aquinas said that baptism, by imprinting an indelible “character” on the soul, confers a share in the priesthood of Christ. This was even worked into some ancient baptismal liturgies; the actual water baptism was followed by an anointing with oil, and this was explained by reference to the anointing of priests and kings in the Old Testament.

Sonship related to priesthood and to kingship. Ibid. The Father identifying Jesus as the "Son of God" (Luke 3:22) can be a royal rather than a priestly title (see 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 2:6-7). Sonship is not unconnected with priesthood. It was the firstborn sons of Israel that originally were destined to be priests.

David as prophet. Acts 2:29-35.

David as king. 2 Samuel 16:12-13.

David as priest. 1 Samuel 21:1-6.

Melchizedek: A Biblical and Historical Profile. Duration 40:41.

Notes on Don Carson (about Melchizedek)

Getting Excited About Melchizedek - Don Carson. Duration 1:01:52.

Melchizedek is mentioned only three times: Genesis, Psalm 110, and Hebrews.

Melchizedek is a priest-king. Not possible in the Levitical system.

Psalm 110. The importance of Psalm 110 in understanding the typology behind Melchizedek. The superscription says that it is a Psalm of David—very important for how to interpret the first verse. It is a Messianic Psalm by the mere fact that David is having YHWH speaking to my Adon—i.e. David's Adon (Lord). Psalm is quoted by Jesus (in Matthew and Mark).

Mark 12:35-37: And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “‘The Lord [Yahweh] said to my Lord [Adon], “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ 37 David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly.

If Jesus was *only* the Son of David, he would be inferior to David as the ancient culture regarded their forefathers as superior to their descendants.

Psalm 110:4: The LORD [Yahweh] has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Jesus is greater. Than angels, than David, God places him at His right hand (Acts 5:30),

Christ at the right hand intercedes for us. Romans 8:34: who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Hebrews 10:11-13: And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Christ at the right hand is waiting for the ultimate conquest over his enemies. God is causing this to happen (Psalm 110:1).

Psalm 110:3: Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.

The priest ultimately becomes the conquering king.

David was first made king over two tribes, in Hebron and lasted there seven years. Then, in 2 Samuel 5, he moved to Jerusalem and became king over all Israel. In the next chapter, 2 Samuel 6, the tabernacle is moved to Jerusalem in 2. In the following chapter, 2 Samuel 7, the Davidic Covenant is detailed.

Thus, David the king and the tabernacle unite in Jerusalem at essentially the same time.

Genesis 14:18–20 (ESV): 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Jerusalem (etymology). The form Yerushalem or Yerushalayim first appears in the Bible, in the Book of Joshua. According to a Midrash, the name is a combination of two names united by God, Yireh ("the abiding place", the name given by Abraham to the place where he planned to sacrifice his son) and Shalem ("Place of Peace", the name given by high priest Shem). The "-ayim" ending indicates the dual, thus leading to the suggestion that the name Yerushalayim refers to the fact that the city initially sat on two hills.

Two hills. Mount Zion (SW Hill) and Mount Moriah (today's Temple mount, Eastern Hill).

Jesus is in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus becomes the next priest-king. Read Hebrews 7.

Hebrews 7 notes. Melchizedek is both "king of righteousness" (Melchizedek) and "king of peace" (king of Salem). Abraham meets him after the slaughter of kings (Genesis 14) in the quest to free Lot. Like the Son of God (eternal) and is "a priest forever."

Genealogies where important. Anybody who was anybody had a genealogy. But Melchizedek had no genealogy. There is weight to the fact that Melchizedek had no genealogy.

Sequence of history. Sequence was important to Paul. For example, Abraham came before the giving of the Law, therefore salvation is by faith as Abraham received the promise by faith.

Hebrews 7:11ff. Is suggesting that another priesthood was to succeed the Levitical priesthood. This is the message of Psalm 110:4. David is announcing that the Levitical priesthood is not enough, that there is a coming priesthood that will supersede this priesthood.

Hebrews 7:12: For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.

We now have a new Law Covenant by a new priesthood. Not grounded by ancestry but grounded in the God of eternity.

Hebrews 7:24-25: but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[b] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

More than a king. If Jesus was just a king, we would be subject to him in terror. But Jesus is also a high priest, one who understands us and intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25).

Difference in sacrifice. The blood of a lamb or goat or bullock for the life of a human is preposterous. There is no comparison. But the blood (i.e. the life) of the Son of God is infinitely superior.

Incorrect statements

Sabbath afternoon, par. 1. "God is holy, and sin cannot exist in His presence." This is inaccurate, since sin began in heaven with Lucifer in the presence of God. And the "war in heaven" was war between Michael and his angels and Lucifer (Satan) and his angels.

(a) Lucifer was not then destroyed because of God's forebearance. God allowed Satan to continue so that the verdict against sin would be understood by all created beings. It was in order to validate that God is just and true (Revelation 15).

(b) In the judgment, the wicked will be raised and be in God's presence for a period of time, before the final destruction by fire.

Sunday, par. 3. "Jesus did not offer sacrifices for His own sins (Heb. 5:3) but only for our sins, because He was sinless (Heb. 4:15, Heb. 7:26-28)." Jesus was without blemish, but not sinless by strict dictionary definition. See The Word was Made Flesh.

Sunday, par. 4. "Hebrews was referring to the second death." The second death is annihilation through fire.

second death. See printout.

Sunday, par. 4. "Obedience was new to Jesus ... Jesus did not obey anyone." Jesus did the will of the Father even before the Creation of our World.

Obedience was *not* new to Jesus.

1SP 17.2: The great Creator assembled the heavenly host, that he might in the presence of all the angels confer special honor upon his Son. The Son was seated on the throne with the Father, and the heavenly throng of holy angels was gathered around them. The Father then made known that it was ordained by himself that Christ, his Son, should be equal with himself; so that wherever was the presence of his Son, it was as his own presence. The word of the Son was to be obeyed as readily as the word of the Father. His Son he had invested with authority to command the heavenly host. Especially was his Son to work in union with himself in the anticipated creation of the earth and every living thing that should exist upon the earth. His Son would carry out his will and his purposes, but would do nothing of himself alone. The Father's will would be fulfilled in him.

Sunday, par. 5. "Sufferings did not perfect Jesus in the sense that He improved morally or ethically. Sufferings did not make Him merciful. ... He was “perfected” in the sense that His sufferings qualified Him to be our High Priest." The author is essentially saying that Jesus' sufferings were *only* necessary to fulfill the requirement and were not necessary in the development of Christ's character, because his character was already established. However, Jesus formed character as we form character, otherwise he would not have been our example. Jesus formed character through making decisions on life experiences.

Thursday, par. 5. "Jesus was fully human, but He was not a sinful human being as we are (Heb. 2:14-16, Heb. 4:15). Jesus is perfect, not simply because He never sinned but because He was not corrupted by sin as we are." The terminology is incorrect. Jesus had "sinful flesh."

Romans 8:3: For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh.

Notes (general)

gospel. Gospel in the Greek evangelion means "good news." What is the good news? How man is to be restored.

11LtMs, Lt 106, 1896, par. 18ff: Christ’s life represents a perfect manhood. Just that which you may be, He was in human nature. He took our infirmities. He was not only made flesh, but He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh. His divine attributes were withheld from relieving His soul anguish or His bodily pains. We naturally long for sympathy and fellowship in suffering, and Christ felt this longing to the depths of His being.

DA 116.2: Ever since Adam's sin, the human race had been cut off from direct communion with God; the intercourse between heaven and earth had been through Christ; but now that Jesus had come “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3), the Father Himself spoke. He had before communicated with humanity through Christ; now He communicated with humanity in Christ. Satan had hoped that God's abhorrence of evil would bring an eternal separation between heaven and earth. But now it was manifest that the connection between God and man had been restored.

DA 117.2: Many claim that it was impossible for Christ to be overcome by temptation. Then He could not have been placed in Adam's position; He could not have gained the victory that Adam failed to gain. If we have in any sense a more trying conflict than had Christ, then He would not be able to succor us. But our Saviour took humanity, with all its liabilities. He took the nature of man, with the possibility of yielding to temptation. We have nothing to bear which He has not endured.

18LtMs, Ms 99, 1903, par. 15: Christ, the second Adam, came in the likeness of sinful flesh. In man’s behalf, He became subject to sorrow, to weariness, to hunger, and to thirst. He was subject to temptation, but He yielded not to sin. No taint of sin was upon Him. He declared, “I have kept My Father’s commandments (in My earthly life).” [John 15:10.] He had infinite power only because He was perfectly obedient to His Father’s will. The second Adam stood the test of trial and temptation that He might become the Owner of all humanity.

ST April 11, 1895, par. 6: O, cannot the sinner understand that Christ clothed his divinity with humanity, in order that he might reach humanity? Can he not see that Jesus lived the life that all the human race may live, and that no soul shall enter the portals of bliss unless he obeys the laws of the kingdom of God? Christ made the law of God binding upon every soul, in order that, through obedience to the divine precepts, man might be brought back to loyalty to God. Every sinner converted to God must live in conformity to all the commandments of God. Jesus lived among men, consuming himself by continual self-denial and in labors of love. The fact that Christ lived among men in human nature is a testimony to us that God is with us. God dwells in every abode, hears every word that is uttered, listens to every prayer that is offered, tastes the sorrows and disappointments of every man, regards the treatment that is given to father, mother, brother, sister, friend, and neighbor. He understands our necessities, and his beloved Son is the channel through which his love, mercy, and grace shall flow to satisfy our need.

Christ is the "remedy for sin" (8LtMs, Lt 30, 1893, par. 22).

ST January 16, 1896, par. 2: Satan declared that it was impossible for the sons and daughters of Adam to keep the law of God, and thus charged upon God a lack of wisdom and love. If they could not keep the law, then there was fault with the Lawgiver. Men who are under the control of Satan repeat these accusations against God, in asserting that men can not keep the law of God. Jesus humbled himself, clothing his divinity with humanity, in order that he might stand as the head and representative of the human family, and by both precept and example condemn sin in the flesh, and give the lie to Satan's charges. He was subjected to the fiercest temptations that human nature can know, yet he sinned not; for sin is the transgression of the law. By faith he laid hold upon divinity, even as humanity may lay hold upon infinite power through him. Altho tempted upon all points even as men are tempted, he sinned not. He did not surrender his allegiance to God, as did Adam.

Notes from ComeAndReason

Sin has caused a gulf between God and man. Sin changed man. It did not change God.

The plan of redemption is the plan of the restoration of man.

The Jewish sanctuary system did not save anyone. It was a theatrical presentation.

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

The blood of Christ is to cleanse our consciences. The books in heaven only record our acts, they do not produce a change of heart and mind. They do not cleanse our conscience; they do not heal our inner being. They do not remove selfishness.

If God wants to heal us, He needs the Remedy to do it. God needs the method by which He can save us.

God could not save us without Christ's method to save us.

The sin problem is in man, his condition. The sin problem is man's fallen nature.

Reconciliation is God healing us and restoring us into His likeness, godliness.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16: But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

Notes from Hinsdale

Priest in the Greek, hierus, derived from hierosmeans "mighty or holy". It focuses on the main characteristic of a priest—his holiness—which allows the priest to have access to the divine realm.

The priest most important ability is to have access to both parties and represent them well. A successful priest, then, must be able to faithfully represent the people to whom he or she belongs and have true access to God and accurately represent His instructions and will.

Priest as rep of the people. Melchizedek order, effective priest, failure of the priest

Priest as rep of God. An eternal priest, the ultimate and priest without blemish.

Priest garments.

Bing.com "alex ortega adventist". Good material on the sanctuary.

ST August 3, 1891, par. 6: The sinner who comes to Christ in faith, is joined soul to soul with his Redeemer, united in holy bonds with Jesus. Then he has love and benevolence through his constant union with Christ. And through faith and experience he has confidence that Jesus not only will but does save him to the uttermost. This confidence brings to his soul an abiding trust, a peace, a joy, that passeth understanding. Christ is to him an all-sufficient Saviour; he clings to Christ, receiving of his Spirit, until he works as Christ worked, is compassionate as Christ was compassionate, having an unselfish love, giving disinterested service, not to a few who are most congenial, but to those who most need the help he can give.

ST July 23, 1902, par. 14: Those who believe on Christ and obey His commandments are not under bondage to God's law; for to those who believe and obey, His law is not a law of bondage, but of liberty. Every one who believes on Christ, every one who relies on the keeping power of a risen Saviour that has suffered the penalty pronounced upon the transgressor, every one who resists temptation and in the midst of evil copies the pattern given in the Christ-life, will through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ become a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Every one who by faith obeys God's commandments, will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression.

Note from It Is Written

Priesthood. Bridge maker. A representative of the people--breastplate and shoulders.

King and priest. Melchizedek had both kingly and priestly functions. He is the first individual to be given the title Kohen (priest) in the Hebrew Bible.

Priesthood of Melchizedek. Judaic midrash (exegesis) identifies Melchizedek with Shem the son of Noah.[3] Although the Book of Genesis affirms that Melchizedek was "priest of God Most High" (Genesis 14:18), the Midrash and Babylonian Talmud maintain that the priesthood held by Melchizedek, who pre-dated the patriarch Levi by five generations (Melchizedek pre-dates Aaron by six generations; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Levi, Kehoth, Amram, Aaron), was given in his stead to Abraham who, in turn, passed it on to his patrilineal descendants, Isaac and then to Jacob. Midrashic literature attributes this transition as a consequence due to Melchizedek preceding the name of Abraham to that of God, such as in the Midrash Rabbah to Genesis,[4] while some Jewish commentators, such as Chaim ibn Attar, write that Melchizedek gave the priesthood to Abraham willingly.

Priest forever. Hebrews 7:3, 17, 21, 24, 28.

Hebrews 7:22: This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

Hebrews 10:14: For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

SUNDAY. A Priest on Behalf of Human Beings

Hebrews 5:1-10: For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

"You are my Son" (Psalm 2:7).

Acts 13:32-39: And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ 34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ 35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, “‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

"You will not let your holy one see corruption" (Psalm 16:10).

MONDAY. According to the Order of Melchizedek

Hebrews 7:1–3 (ESV): 7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

From the lesson: Hebrews 7:15 explains that Jesus was priest “in the likeness of Melchizedek” (NKJV). This is what the earlier expression in Hebrews, “according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 5:6, NKJV), means. Jesus was not a successor of Melchizedek, but His priesthood was similar to his.

TUESDAY. An Effective Priest

Hebrews 7:11-19: (read from the Bible)

Hebrews 7:12: For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.

Notes

Change in the priesthood meant a change in the law. For two reasons: (1) The priesthood of Jesus was not in the line of Levi but of Melchizedek, and (2) the sacrifices were not of animals but of Jesus' sacrifice once for all.

Better covenant. Better because "the law made nothing perfect" (Hebrews 7:19).

WEDNESDAY. An Eternal Priest

Hebrews 7:16 (ESV): 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Hebrews 10:1–4 (ESV): 10 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

From the lesson: The salvation that Jesus provides is total and final. It reaches the innermost aspects of human nature (Heb. 4:12, Heb. 9:14, Heb. 10:1-4).

THURSDAY. A Sinless Priest

Hebrews 7:26 (ESV): 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

Hebrews 2:18 (ESV): 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV): 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 5:7–8 (ESV): 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

From the lesson: Jesus was “undefiled.” He remained pure and untouched by evil, despite being tempted in “all points” (Heb. 4:15, Heb. 2:18). Jesus’ perfect sinlessness is important for His priesthood. The old covenant stipulated that sacrificial victims had to be “without blemish” to be acceptable to God (Lev. 1:3, 10, etc.). Jesus’ perfect obedience during His earthly life made it possible for Him to offer Himself as an acceptable sacrifice to God (Heb. 9:14).

Jesus was “separated from sinners” when He ascended to heaven. The Greek verb tense suggests that this is a present state for Jesus, which began at a specific point in time. Jesus endured hostility from sinners during His earthly life, but He was victorious and was then seated at the right hand of God (Heb. 12:2, 3). Jesus is also “separate from sinners” in that He was perfectly sinless (Heb. 4:15).

FRIDAY. Further Thought: