408. HEB 7:11. MELCHISEDEC A TYPE OF CHRIST

Heb_7:11. Melchisedec a Type Of Christ

"After the order of Melchisedec."’97Heb_7:11.

It is impossible to conceive of a more clear and manifest type of Jesus than Melchisedec. As such he was spoken of by the psalmist in one of his most direct and beautiful prophecies of the Messiah, Psa_110:4. The apostle quotes the language of that prediction, and applies it directly to the Saviour; and the chief part of this chapter serves to illustrate the corresponding traits of resemblance between Melchisedec and Christ. The chief features of similitude obviously centre in the character of their priestly office, but there are other particulars not unworthy of our consideration:’97Melchisedec typified the Saviour,

I. In the Mysteriousness of his Personal History.

This mystery particularly refers to his descent being unrevealed. We have no account of his father or mother; we know nothing of his stock or ancestry: he appears in his own striking character, standing forth alone in the pages of revealed truth. Now that which is unrevealed of Melchisedec, (for doubtless he had both father and mother,) literally applies to Jesus.

(1) As divine.

He had no father or mother, no beginning of years, and will have no end of life. Thus he is self-existent, immutable, and eternal; the wise and blessed God, who hath unchangeableness and immortality dwelling in himself.

(2) As human.

He had no father; he was conceived of the Virgin by the Holy Ghost As it was written, "A virgin shall conceive," &c.

II. In the Offices which he sustained.

He was "King of Salem and Priest of the most high God." See Heb_7:2. In these how strikingly he represented Jesus the Messiah, who is eminently styled,

1. Prince of peace and righteous governor.

The holy, the just one. Whose reign is a righteous administration; whose sceptre is eminently mild, pacific, and merciful.

It is impossible to conceive of one who so fully bears out these distinguished features in his person and government as Jesus. The righteous ruler; the prince of peace. See Psa_45:1; Isa_32:1, Jer_23:5; Zec_9:9; Rev_7:14.

2. He is, too, the priest of the most high God God’s especially anointed and holy one. The priest of his universal church. Whose sacrifice is the richest and most precious ever offered on the altar of the Lord. A priest, whose office, work, and glory, were but dimly prefigured by those who served at the Jewish altar. A priest, in whom Jehovah’s approbation centred, and whose incense ever came up so as to secure his highest delights.

3. Both the regal and priestly offices were united in him.

These offices were generally separate. Uzziah incurred God’s displeasure for presuming to enter on the work of the priesthood. See 2Ch_26:18. But of Jesus it was distinctly predicted that he should be "a priest upon his throne," Zec_6:13. And as the sacrifice of his body was suspended upon the cross, a true inscription represented his regal glory,’97"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." As king and priest he now dwells in the most holy place. There he has his heavenly throne. There he wears his royal diadem. There he sways his righteous sceptre. But there, too, he has on his sacerdotal vestments, and touched with the feeling of his people’s infirmities, he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Like Melchisedec,

4. He had no predecessor or successor in the offices he held.

No monarch left for Jesus a throne or kingdom. And as to his priesthood, he was not of Aaron’s line, nor of the tribe of Levi. In both capacities he stood forth in his own divine right, to govern and to atone. To reign over men, and to redeem them to God by his own infinitely precious blood. He will never transfer either the crown or the mitre. None will ever succeed him, is prince of righteousness, or priest of the most high God. His sacrifice once offered, possessing boundless virtue, avails forever in behalf of all who believe. And his throne abideth forever and ever. Melchisedec was a type of Jesus,

III. In the Blessing he bestowed.

Now mark here,

1. The person blessed.

Abraham, the father of the faithful. The rich blessings of Jesus are confined to believers, those who are the spiritual seed of that godly patriarch.

2. The ceremonial medium of the blessing.

"He brought forth bread and wine." How strikingly significant of that sacred medium through which Jesus blesses his people. The very symbols of his body and blood. Those symbols he chose to perpetuate the remembrance of his death in the ordinance of the supper. All our blessings come to us through the body which bare our guilt, and through the blood which was offered for our sins.

3. The blessing itself.

It was the "blessing of the most high God," Gen_14:19. Now that of which Jesus is the medium, and which he bestows, is the favor and love of God. The smile of God. The peace of God With which every good in time and in eternity is connected. Which include present happiness and eternal life. Melchisedec was a type of Christ,

IV. In the Homage and Tribute he received.

Abraham greatly honored Melchisedec, and gave him tithes of all. How much more ought every believer to honor Jesus, and cheerfully consecrate to him their hearts, lives, influence, and their all. To him we belong; we are not our own but his. He has bought us, redeemed us to himself, so that if we live, we are solemnly obligated to live to him; or if we die, to die to him: so that living or dying, we are ever the Lord’s.

Application

1. Learn the true dignity of the Saviour, both in his kingly and priestly offices.

2. Both these he sustains for our welfare. He died to bless us; and now he reigns and lives to bless us.

3. The affectionate and supreme homage which we should render

Autor: JABEZ BURNS