Our epistle this week is Hebrews 5:5-10.
In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Paul uses an ancient incident to speak of Christ to the Hebrew communities of his time. He recalls a passage from Genesis when Abram is blessed by Melchizedek, “the king of Salem and priest of God most high” (Genesis 14:18). This story points us to things God will share later through Jesus.
Scripture tells us that Melchizedek is both king and priest, in the same way Christ is our king and the ultimate priest of God. This lesson also tells us that Melchizedek brought bread and wine, and blesses Abram, just as Jesus shares Communion and blesses us. Paul uses this piece of Hebrew history to show those he wrote to the connection of Christ to their past and how God intends Him to draw us all together.
These verses remind the Hebrew believers (and us) of our relationship to God and each other, and that He has pointed the way to salvation from the very beginning. Remember your own heritage and how God has led you at all times, wanting us to be connected to Him eternally. Let His love be the source of all we do, sharing the blessing of Christ’s sacrifice for us with all the world.
Heavenly Father, we know You are always there for us. Help us to live through the example of our Savior, telling the Good News to everyone. Amen.