Hebrews 7:3

Summary retelling of Hebrews 7:3

Melchizedek is without father, mother, or genealogy as recorded in the Bible.  He has no beginning or end to His life as recorded in the Bible.  He is like the Son of God, a high priest forever.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Melchizedek is without father or mother.  Now, clearly Melchizedek had a father and mother, that isn’t up for debate.  He was fully and completely human, so of course he had a father and a mother.  But the point that the author is making is that it isn’t his genealogy that makes Melchizedek great.  What makes Melchizedek great is his service to God, not his lineage.  Clearly this is the same with Jesus.  Jesus’ human heritage was not what enabled Him to be a great sacrifice in accomplishing the will of God.

What does it say to the typical Gentile that Melchizedek was great in spite of his lack of heritage?  How does this help contrast Melchizedek with the typical Jewish priest who had to prove their lineage to Aaron?

Second Thought:

Melchizedek has no beginning or end.  Well, he does.  Again, Melchizedek was fully human.  He was certainly born and he certainly died.  But we don’t have a record of it.  In other words, we don’t have record of Melchizedek’s priesthood beginning or ending.  Literally, we know it did.  Symbolically, though, it is as though scripture is saying that his priesthood has no end.  In this case, again Melchizedek is like Jesus.  Jesus may have died, but His resurrection demonstrates that His priesthood has no end, too.

What does it say to you that there is a pattern for priests of God not based on their birth?  How does it make you feel to know that such a pattern has no ending point?  Does it matter to you that you can join that priesthood regardless of who you are and what you’ve done?

Third Thought:

The author of Hebrews makes a comparison.  We are told that Melchizedek is like a Son of God.  Imagine being referred to as someone who is like the very Son of God!  Yet, we know that through Jesus, we can indeed be Sons of God!

Do you deserve to be a Son (or daughter) of God?  What does it mean to you to know that you can be a Son of God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 7:4-6