WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.139 If you would turn with me in a Bible to Hebrews chapter 7. 00:00:05.020 --> 00:00:08.800 If you're looking in one of the Pew Bibles, it's page 1004. 00:00:11.939 --> 00:00:21.440 We're continuing into the next major section of Hebrews, which goes from chapter 7 through 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:22.320 the middle of chapter 10. 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:26.300 And we'll be doing that for the next couple of months. 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:31.400 But this morning, we're reading chapter 7, verses 1 through 10. 00:00:32.780 --> 00:00:38.260 I'm actually going to read the last two verses of chapter 6, starting at chapter 6, verse 00:00:38.260 --> 00:00:44.299 19, to see how it leads into chapter 7 and introduces this theme. 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:52.659 So, Hebrews, starting at chapter 6, verse 19, says, we have this as a sure and steadfast 00:00:52.659 --> 00:00:59.899 anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain where Jesus 00:00:59.899 --> 00:01:08.459 has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order 00:01:08.459 --> 00:01:09.840 of Melchizedek. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:16.299 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning 00:01:16.299 --> 00:01:18.340 from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. 00:01:19.180 --> 00:01:22.659 And to him, Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:27.359 He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness. 00:01:28.240 --> 00:01:31.080 And then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:36.439 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of 00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:40.539 life but resembling the Son of God, he continues a priest forever. 00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:49.060 See how great this man was, to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils. 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:54.259 And those descendants of Levi, who received the priestly office, have a commandment in 00:01:54.259 --> 00:01:59.599 the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:00.700 are descended from Abraham. 00:02:00.700 --> 00:02:07.079 But this man, who does not have his descent from them, received tithes from Abraham and 00:02:07.079 --> 00:02:08.939 blessed him who had the promises. 00:02:09.860 --> 00:02:13.580 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 00:02:14.500 --> 00:02:19.080 In the one case, tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:20.640 is testified that he lives. 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:28.199 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:32.439 still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. 00:02:33.379 --> 00:02:39.659 One of our commitments at Trinity Baptist Church is to teach what the Apostle Paul describes as 00:02:39.659 --> 00:02:41.799 the whole counsel of God. 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:49.039 In other words, as God enables us, we seek to proclaim and teach all of the different truths 00:02:49.039 --> 00:02:53.840 that God has revealed to us in all the different parts and sections of the Bible. 00:02:54.599 --> 00:02:59.419 Now, one of the ways that we try to put that into practice is by preaching through entire 00:02:59.419 --> 00:03:02.079 books of the Bible, passage by passage. 00:03:02.199 --> 00:03:06.099 If you've been coming to our church for some time, you've probably noticed that's our regular 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:06.560 pattern. 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:13.019 And as a result, sometimes I, as one of the preachers, am given a passage to preach that 00:03:13.019 --> 00:03:16.419 I might not ever choose on my own, like this one. 00:03:16.419 --> 00:03:21.579 Now, Melchizedek is only mentioned in three places in the Bible. 00:03:21.759 --> 00:03:25.639 He's mentioned twice in the Old Testament, and he's mentioned here in Hebrews. 00:03:26.359 --> 00:03:28.959 This is the only place in the New Testament that he's discussed. 00:03:29.379 --> 00:03:36.039 So, these next three weeks might be your only chance in a long while to learn about Melchizedek, 00:03:36.459 --> 00:03:39.439 because he appears so rarely in the Bible. 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:42.579 Now, for some of you, that's pretty exciting. 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:47.120 And you're thinking, wow, I want to know who this guy really was. 00:03:47.740 --> 00:03:51.040 What does verse three mean when it says that he didn't have a father or mother? 00:03:51.760 --> 00:03:52.820 What's that all about? 00:03:52.920 --> 00:03:55.060 And he didn't have a beginning or end of his life. 00:03:55.420 --> 00:04:00.300 And what's the deal with the tithing and blessing in verses nine and ten about Levi being in the 00:04:00.300 --> 00:04:01.260 loins of his ancestor? 00:04:01.380 --> 00:04:02.100 What in the world? 00:04:02.099 --> 00:04:09.219 Now, on the other hand, some of you might be thinking, well, those are maybe interesting 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:10.599 scholarly questions. 00:04:11.139 --> 00:04:16.740 But what does this passage have to do with real life and the real problems that I'm facing 00:04:16.740 --> 00:04:17.480 today? 00:04:18.659 --> 00:04:24.420 Maybe you're wishing that you were still at home, sitting on a comfortable couch, watching 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:29.500 Super Bowl previews, instead of sitting on a hard wooden pew and hearing about some guy 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:30.860 whose name you can't even pronounce. 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:38.680 But if that's you, 2 Timothy chapter 3, verse 16 and 17 says this. 00:04:38.740 --> 00:04:42.439 It says, all scripture is breathed out by God. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:49.720 Not only is it breathed out by God, it says, but it's useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:56.660 and training in righteousness so that the man or woman of God may be equipped for every 00:04:56.660 --> 00:05:02.100 good work, so that all of us may be equipped for the good works that God has for us. 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:05.120 And that includes this passage. 00:05:05.760 --> 00:05:10.080 And over the years, one of the ways that I've been increasingly convinced that the Bible 00:05:10.080 --> 00:05:16.660 is truly God's word is by looking into passages like this one, that at first might seem difficult 00:05:16.660 --> 00:05:22.879 or irrelevant and finding rich treasures of wisdom within them. 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:29.680 And so that's my prayer for each of us today, that we would see here in this passage and in the next 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:36.659 several weeks, that we would see the wisdom and the glory of God as we look into the figure of 00:05:36.659 --> 00:05:40.259 Melchizedek and these next few chapters dealing with Jesus as our high priest. 00:05:40.980 --> 00:05:45.740 Now, on the surface, this morning's passage is about the greatness of Melchizedek. 00:05:46.279 --> 00:05:49.560 Verse 4 is a key verse in the center of the passage. 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:52.959 It says, see how great this man was. 00:05:54.220 --> 00:05:56.180 Everything in the passage is about that. 00:05:57.240 --> 00:06:00.660 Verses 1 to 3 introduce him as a great king and a great priest. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:04.100 Verses 4 through 10 are all about how he's even greater than Abraham. 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:12.000 But in the larger context of Hebrews, this passage isn't ultimately about the greatness of Melchizedek. 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:14.939 Ultimately, it's about the greatness of Jesus. 00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:23.459 At the end of chapter 6, verse 20, it says that Jesus is a high priest forever after the order of, 00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:26.060 or in the pattern of, Melchizedek. 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:31.939 And so the reason we're talking about Melchizedek is not just because we want to learn about obscure 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:37.759 figures from neglected corners of the Bible, but because understanding Melchizedek will help us 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:41.360 understand Jesus and appreciate him more. 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:46.860 So seeing Melchizedek's greatness will help us see the greatness of Jesus. 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:53.520 So that's what I want to look at this morning, is how does the greatness of Melchizedek point us to the greatness of Jesus? 00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:58.139 Now, before we jump into the details, think for a moment about this idea of greatness. 00:06:58.139 --> 00:07:06.000 On a personal level, is there someone that you know personally that you consider great? 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:14.060 Maybe it's a family member or a mentor or a friend, someone who's always been there for you, 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:17.919 or someone whose character has been proven through hardship, 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:27.800 or someone that you recognize that you wouldn't be where you are today without them and their involvement in your life. 00:07:28.960 --> 00:07:33.060 And as a result, you listen closely when that person speaks. 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:36.300 You notice the details of how they act. 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:42.819 If you get an email from them, you don't just delete it or ignore it, but you read it carefully. 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:50.099 You might even ask yourself, how would this person deal with this situation that I'm facing? 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:55.219 Or maybe it's not, maybe there's a public figure that you admire. 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:58.279 Maybe you're a Peyton Manning fan. 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:03.659 And you know how many years he's played in the NFL, how many yards he's thrown, 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:08.339 how many touchdown passes he's completed, and you're rooting for the Broncos to win tonight. 00:08:08.339 --> 00:08:14.239 And as a result, if you happen to look next to you and somebody else was wearing a Bronco shirt, 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:16.539 you would immediately feel a connection to them. 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:20.539 Because you have a common recognition of greatness. 00:08:22.099 --> 00:08:26.579 Or maybe there's a band that you love, or a scholar that you think is particularly insightful, 00:08:26.739 --> 00:08:31.579 and you read their blog, or you follow them on Twitter, and you post their articles on Facebook, 00:08:31.719 --> 00:08:35.919 and when their book comes out, you pre-order it on Amazon before it's even released. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:39.299 And when they're coming to town to give a concert or give a talk, 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:42.860 you're one of the first to get a ticket, and you invite a bunch of people to go with you. 00:08:44.059 --> 00:08:46.479 Because you see their greatness. 00:08:47.819 --> 00:08:52.479 You see, recognizing someone's greatness changes your attitude toward them and toward everything else. 00:08:53.219 --> 00:08:57.079 It reorients your priorities and your focus in life. 00:08:58.059 --> 00:09:01.719 You can't remain the same when you truly recognize someone's greatness. 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:09.139 Or on a historical level, there are historical figures whose greatness is recognized by whole societies. 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:15.460 In American history, that might include George Washington, the hero of the American Revolution, 00:09:16.340 --> 00:09:21.960 or Abraham Lincoln, the great emancipator, or Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights pioneer. 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:26.700 The birthdays of these men have become national holidays. 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:29.300 Monuments have been built in their honor. 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:33.500 Their most famous speeches are read and discussed year after year, 00:09:33.699 --> 00:09:38.259 and social and political movements seek to build on their legacy and honor their achievements. 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:43.479 You see, you can't recognize someone's greatness and remain unaffected. 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:50.319 The most natural response to recognizing someone's greatness is to live a life in honor of them. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:52.899 Now, verse 4 says, 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:55.679 See how great this man was. 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:59.319 To whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:04.159 Now, if you traveled back in time to the first century A.D. when Hebrews was written, 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:06.779 and if you asked almost any Jewish person, 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:10.220 who do you consider truly great? 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:14.379 Near the top of almost everyone's list would be Abraham. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:17.500 Abraham was the patriarch. 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:20.179 He was the founding father of the Jewish people. 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:22.219 God called to him. 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:23.719 And God said to him, 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:25.799 I'll make of you a great nation. 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:27.539 I will bless you. 00:10:27.599 --> 00:10:29.259 I will make your name great. 00:10:30.459 --> 00:10:33.899 God himself promised to make Abraham's name great. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.579 How much greater can you be? 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:37.139 And God said, 00:10:37.219 --> 00:10:38.599 I will bless those who bless you. 00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:40.679 Whoever dishonors you, I will curse. 00:10:41.079 --> 00:10:43.659 And in you, all the families of the world will be blessed. 00:10:45.199 --> 00:10:48.599 Later on, God elaborated on that promise in Genesis 17. 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:51.560 He said, I will make you exceedingly fruitful. 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:53.860 Kings will come from you. 00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:56.180 In other words, he's saying you're a royal family. 00:10:57.200 --> 00:10:59.080 And he says, I will establish my covenant, 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:01.220 my promise with you and your descendants 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:02.960 to be an everlasting covenant. 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:05.500 To be your God. 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:07.820 You know, if you read through the Old Testament, 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:11.480 pretty much every promise that God makes to the people of Israel 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:14.800 is simply an extension of God's promise to Abraham. 00:11:15.540 --> 00:11:16.920 Or an elaboration of it. 00:11:16.919 --> 00:11:18.500 It all goes back to him. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:21.879 And even during his lifetime, 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:24.659 the people around Abraham recognized his greatness. 00:11:25.439 --> 00:11:29.779 So the Hittite leaders in Genesis 23 call him a prince of God. 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:32.919 Or Abimelech in Genesis 20 says to him, 00:11:32.959 --> 00:11:35.219 he says, look, all my land is before you. 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:37.379 Live wherever you want. 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:40.419 Take whatever you want. 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:41.939 It's all yours. 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:47.700 Now, one of the displays of Abraham's greatness is found in Genesis 14. 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:53.500 We read a little section from there about just before he meets Melchizedek. 00:11:54.020 --> 00:11:55.500 Now, you might want to flip back there. 00:11:57.100 --> 00:12:00.740 So let me just outline the basic story here in Genesis 14. 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:05.159 Basically, four Canaanite kings, led by Caterlaomer king of Elam, 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:06.620 attack the region. 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:08.860 And so they're tearing through the land. 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:11.919 They're defeating tribe after tribe and city after city. 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:13.919 They're striking fear in people's hearts, 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:16.500 carrying off plunder, capturing people, 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:20.120 including Abraham's nephew, Lot. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:22.279 And Lot's family. 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:27.399 Now, Abraham was loyal to Lot, 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:31.019 both because they were blood relatives, 00:12:31.199 --> 00:12:35.819 as well as because Lot had joined him in following the call of God in Genesis 12. 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:43.899 So Abraham hears that Lot has been captured and kidnapped by these invading armies. 00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:50.079 And so Abraham immediately gathers his men, 318 of them, it says, 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:52.440 which actually sounds like a big number, 00:12:52.540 --> 00:12:54.580 but when you're attacking four kings and their armies, 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:56.540 that's actually not such a big number. 00:12:58.220 --> 00:13:01.900 And he launches a surprise attack in the middle of the night. 00:13:02.180 --> 00:13:04.240 He defeats the four kings and their armies, 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:06.060 recovers all the possessions they've taken, 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.700 and all the people they had captured, 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:08.960 including Lot and his family. 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:12.280 Abraham's a powerful dude. 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:14.820 You don't mess with Abraham. 00:13:16.520 --> 00:13:18.340 But you know, Abraham wasn't just powerful, 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:19.300 he was righteous. 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:23.180 Abraham had promised to be loyal to Lot, 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:25.000 and he kept his promise, 00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:27.900 even when he had to go to great lengths, 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:29.220 at great cost to himself. 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:31.660 You see, Abraham could have blamed Lot, 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:34.259 because Lot chose to hang out. 00:13:34.780 --> 00:13:36.420 You can see this in Genesis 13. 00:13:36.540 --> 00:13:38.340 Lot chose to hang out near Sodom. 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:42.020 And Abraham could have looked at him and blamed him 00:13:42.020 --> 00:13:44.860 for moving to the bad neighborhood, 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:46.720 when he could have lived in a better one. 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:49.320 He could have said, you know, you're sort of asking for trouble. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:53.160 But Abraham was a righteous man. 00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:57.120 And in other words, he was faithful to his promises. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:02.620 And so he didn't hold back out of fear of these powerful Canaanite kings. 00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:06.379 He didn't hold back because of how inconvenient and costly it was 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.420 to go and rescue Lot. 00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:10.900 He went to great lengths to rescue Lot, 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:12.600 when Lot found himself in trouble. 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:15.080 And not only did he rescue Lot, 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:17.240 he restored peace and order to the whole region, 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:19.620 when it had been engulfed by chaos, 00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:21.560 through these invading armies. 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:24.399 You see, Abraham was a great man. 00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:26.680 No one could argue with that. 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:29.139 But the author of Hebrews says, 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:31.759 there's somebody even greater than Abraham. 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:36.879 And he picks up on a surprising detail in Genesis 14. 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.799 So if you look in verse 18, 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:41.200 Abraham's coming home from the battle. 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:46.399 And Melchizedek, this guy, appears out of nowhere 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:48.379 and comes out to meet him. 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:51.799 And the author of Hebrews points to two unusual aspects 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:53.980 of Abraham's meeting with Melchizedek. 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:57.200 So first he says, in Hebrews chapter 7, verse 1, 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:59.920 he points out Melchizedek blessed Abraham. 00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:04.600 And verse 7 in Hebrews says, 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:08.240 it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:13.519 In other words, when one human being bestows a blessing 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:15.560 on another human being, 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:19.800 it's the person in a higher position of authority or honor 00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:22.379 who gives the blessing, not vice versa. 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:24.980 So we have several examples in the Bible 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:28.019 of parents blessing their children. 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:32.939 Now Hebrews 11 mentions Isaac blessing Jacob and Esau 00:15:32.939 --> 00:15:35.659 and Jacob blessing Joseph and his brothers. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:39.860 So we might say they're passing on their honor, 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:43.659 their authority, their good name to their children. 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:46.919 We also see God blessing people. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:49.620 Genesis 1, he creates them in his image 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:51.940 and he bestows some of his honor. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:56.019 Some of his authority, some of his name upon us. 00:15:57.559 --> 00:16:00.840 And sometimes we also see people calling upon God 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:02.220 to bless others. 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:04.399 Not only directly blessing them, 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:06.320 but calling upon God to bless others. 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:08.120 As the priests did when they would say, 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:11.100 the Lord bless you and keep you. 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:14.659 And the Lord make his face to shine upon you. 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:20.620 But the point of what he's saying here is that the fact that Melchizedek blessed Abraham 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:24.059 shows that Melchizedek was even greater than Abraham. 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:28.519 That Melchizedek was bestowing his honor upon Abraham. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:30.839 And not vice versa. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:36.299 And then he points out that Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils. 00:16:36.299 --> 00:16:43.719 Now in the ancient world, giving someone a tenth of the spoils was an act of submission and self-dedication. 00:16:44.339 --> 00:16:46.439 It was a way of saying, I'm yours. 00:16:46.839 --> 00:16:49.379 So I'm giving you the first cut off the plunder. 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:51.019 The top of the heap. 00:16:52.479 --> 00:16:59.500 And in the Old Testament, God required the Israelites to bring the first ten percent of their produce to him. 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:04.059 As a way of saying, I'm loyal to you. 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:06.059 I trust you. 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:08.839 And the priest collected it. 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:12.220 Now verse 9 comes in here, in Hebrews. 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:15.900 Verse 9 is basically saying, you could even go one step further. 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:20.420 And say, not only did Abraham pay a tenth to Melchizedek, 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:25.500 but that Abraham, in a sense, acted on behalf of his descendant Levi. 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:31.599 Sort of like if your great-grandfather paid all the taxes that you would ever owe in your whole lifetime 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:34.319 to the federal government in advance before you were born. 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:37.019 That'd be sort of nice. 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:41.099 You get a really good refund every year. 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:48.200 And now the author of Hebrews recognizes that verse 9 and 10, he's being somewhat speculative. 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:50.279 And that's why he says, one might even say. 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:52.420 He doesn't say you must say this. 00:17:52.420 --> 00:18:02.720 But he's saying you could argue that in one sense, even Levi recognized or testifies to the greatness of this guy, Melchizedek. 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:07.160 Okay, so the blessing and the tithing all point to the greatness of Melchizedek. 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.220 He's even greater than Abraham. 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:08.900 So what? 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:10.680 And who is this guy anyway? 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:19.840 Well, the book of Genesis, as well as Hebrews, tell us two things about who is this Melchizedek that is so great. 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:21.379 So first it says he's a king. 00:18:23.439 --> 00:18:29.059 If you're back in Hebrews, verse 1 says, Melchizedek was the king of Salem. 00:18:29.939 --> 00:18:33.879 And then verse 2 says he's the king of righteousness by translation of his name. 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:38.839 Now in Hebrew, Melchi means king and Zedek means righteousness. 00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:42.019 So he's just using the etymology of the word, king of righteousness. 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:44.599 And then he's also the king of Salem. 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.940 In other words, the king of Jerusalem. 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:51.259 Salem is just a short form for Jerusalem that's occasionally used. 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:57.319 And the Hebrew word Salem or shalom, as we might pronounce it today, means peace. 00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:59.720 So he's the king of righteousness and peace. 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.619 That's the first thing. 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:02.680 Second thing, he's also a priest. 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:06.460 He's a priest of the Most High God, of the one true God. 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:12.860 But if you compare him to every other priest in the Old Testament, he's a very unusual kind of priest. 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:18.019 And in particular, his genealogy is not recorded. 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:29.160 You see, in the Old Testament law, every priest in Israel was required to be descended from the tribe of Levi and the line of Aaron. 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:32.960 And this was a very strict requirement, with no exceptions. 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:35.700 After the exile, there was a big controversy. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:43.180 When some people claimed to be descended from Aaron and in the tribe of Levi, but they couldn't prove their genealogy. 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:48.580 Because they lost the records and the whole moving to Babylon and moving back home and all the chaos that was involved there. 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.720 So they couldn't prove it. 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:50.680 And you know what they did? 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:52.420 They were excluded from the priesthood. 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:54.019 They were not allowed to serve as priests. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.940 Because they couldn't prove it. 00:19:55.940 --> 00:20:06.120 But here, this Melchizedek guy is a priest of the true God with absolutely no record of where he came from. 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:07.600 Or where he went. 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:11.500 And it's unusual in Genesis, too. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:14.420 If you read the book of Genesis, it's full of genealogies. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:16.160 Family history records. 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:18.960 In fact, the whole book of Genesis has ten sections. 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:23.059 And each one of them begins with, these are the generations of so-and-so. 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:25.539 Or this is the family history of so-and-so. 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:30.960 So it's very unusual that this important figure appears, who's even greater than Abraham. 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:34.099 Perhaps one of the greatest figures in all of Genesis. 00:20:35.159 --> 00:20:37.420 But his genealogy is not recorded at all. 00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:41.740 So that's the point of Hebrews chapter 7, verse 3. 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:45.759 He says he is without father or mother or genealogy. 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:48.899 Now, some people have wondered, what does that mean? 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:52.120 Does that mean that Melchizedek was more than human? 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:52.880 Was he an angel? 00:20:53.320 --> 00:20:57.820 Or was he even the Son of God, appearing before he became incarnate? 00:20:59.820 --> 00:21:05.920 The problem with that view is that verse 3 says he was resembling the Son of God. 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:08.000 It doesn't say he was the Son of God. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:10.640 It says he was resembling the Son of God. 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:14.620 It's not saying that he literally was never born and never died. 00:21:15.020 --> 00:21:19.740 It's saying that he only appears in the Scripture as a living priest. 00:21:21.020 --> 00:21:23.420 He doesn't appear in any other way. 00:21:24.520 --> 00:21:30.460 And in fact, the only other reference in the Scripture to Melchizedek is Psalm 110.4, 00:21:30.540 --> 00:21:31.160 which says, 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:44.779 So it picks up on that theme of a priest who continues without interruption and without any record of his end. 00:21:46.300 --> 00:21:50.019 Now, King David in that psalm seems to be talking about a great priest to come 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:54.840 who would be like Melchizedek in that he would continue as a priest forever. 00:21:56.340 --> 00:21:56.640 All right. 00:21:56.759 --> 00:22:00.700 Now, we've just gone through a bunch of details about Melchizedek. 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:03.380 Okay, but the point of all these details, 00:22:03.820 --> 00:22:08.660 the point of all this very intricate argument that the author of Hebrews runs us through, 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:13.700 is that all these details point forward to the greatness of Jesus. 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:19.300 Jesus is the great king of righteousness and peace. 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:23.519 Jesus is the great high priest who lives forever. 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:27.340 Jesus is the source of every spiritual blessing. 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:34.199 And Jesus is worthy of our loyalty and our allegiance and the best that we have. 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:40.279 So the whole point of this passage, it's an invitation to consider the greatness of Jesus. 00:22:41.699 --> 00:22:45.699 That even 2,000 years before the book of Hebrews was written, 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:49.099 God orchestrated the smallest details of Abraham's life 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:53.359 to reveal the glory of his son who was to come. 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.619 Jesus is our king of righteousness and peace. 00:22:56.679 --> 00:22:58.959 I mean, we saw how Abraham was righteous 00:22:58.959 --> 00:23:02.619 in the sense that he was loyal to his nephew Lot. 00:23:03.399 --> 00:23:05.119 Lot had joined himself to Abraham, 00:23:05.679 --> 00:23:08.319 and Abraham had promised to look after Lot. 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:10.480 And so when Lot got into trouble, 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:13.159 Abraham went a great length to rescue him. 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:15.039 He didn't hold back. 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.919 He didn't say, it's too hard. 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:18.759 He didn't say, I'm busy. 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.980 He went to rescue him. 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:23.279 And not only did he rescue Lot, 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:25.299 he brought peace to the whole region 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:31.879 by defeating these kings who were carrying off city after city. 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:37.780 No, Jesus Christ is the ultimate king of righteousness and peace. 00:23:38.340 --> 00:23:41.840 Because Jesus Christ is faithful to all of his promises, 00:23:42.360 --> 00:23:44.620 even at great cost to himself. 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:47.060 And throughout the Old Testament, 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:49.760 God promised that one day he would send a Messiah, 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:53.440 a great king who would defeat the enemies of God 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:56.520 and establish peace for God's people on earth. 00:23:57.800 --> 00:23:58.960 But you know, the problem was, 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:03.059 none of the kings of Israel ever lived up to that description. 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:05.259 They were all unrighteous. 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:07.319 They all, so were the people. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:10.720 They kept turning away from God over and over again. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:13.140 And so there was never a lasting peace 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:15.920 because there was never a true righteousness. 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:20.620 But God was faithful to his people again and again. 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:24.799 And he was faithful even though his people weren't faithful to him. 00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:26.700 And so he sent his own son, Jesus Christ. 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:29.740 And Jesus willingly came to be the Messiah, 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:32.460 to be the perfectly righteous king. 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:36.620 Jesus lived a perfectly righteous life 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:40.240 in line with God, in full obedience to God. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:42.000 And on the cross, he died, 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:44.019 and then he rose from the grave 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.940 to rescue us from our greatest enemies, 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:48.620 from sin and death and the devil. 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:51.879 The message of the Bible is that Jesus Christ, 00:24:51.959 --> 00:24:53.000 the king of righteousness, 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:57.359 who establishes peace for everyone who comes to him 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.959 and is joined to him. 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:01.099 And if you're joined to Jesus, 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:05.159 he promises that he will never leave you or forsake you 00:25:05.159 --> 00:25:06.919 because he's righteous. 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:08.539 He is faithful to his promises. 00:25:09.219 --> 00:25:11.399 He will not hold back from them. 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:13.279 And so, you know, if you get into trouble 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:15.819 or if trouble finds you, 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.680 Jesus won't give up on you. 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:19.319 He won't say, 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.399 it's too hard. 00:25:21.119 --> 00:25:23.460 I'm going to just count my losses 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.839 and let that one go. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:28.639 He will come and find you 00:25:28.639 --> 00:25:29.539 and bring you home, 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:31.319 just like Abraham did for Lot, 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:33.420 because he is a righteous king 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:35.019 who loves his people. 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:38.379 And Jesus is not only our king, 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:40.220 he's also our priest. 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:43.259 Now, this is the main theme of the next four chapters. 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:46.600 So I won't go into as much depth about it today 00:25:46.600 --> 00:25:47.920 because we'll get to see more about it. 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.740 But the point is, 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:50.539 Jesus is our ever-living high priest. 00:25:51.620 --> 00:25:53.460 And through him, we can draw near to God. 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:55.779 And as our great high priest, 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:59.019 he bestows every spiritual blessing upon us. 00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:00.380 In other words, 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.940 Jesus places his honor, 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:04.980 his name upon us. 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:08.039 You know, it's one thing 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:10.220 to stand at a distance 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:12.359 and recognize someone's greatness from afar. 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.879 And maybe you cheer them on. 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:18.779 Maybe you try to emulate them from a distance. 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:22.299 Maybe you recognize something about how great they are. 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:24.339 But it's a totally other thing. 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:27.420 If someone who is great 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.839 comes near to you 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:31.359 and bestows some of their greatness, 00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:33.019 some of their authority, 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:35.539 some of their honor upon you, 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:38.059 and associates himself with you 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.899 and blesses you. 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:43.599 And that's exactly what Jesus Christ has done. 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:46.539 He's not only the king of the whole universe, 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.839 but he associated himself 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:51.299 completely with us 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:53.139 in becoming human, 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:55.099 even to the point of dying on a cross. 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:57.119 And when he died on the cross, 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.859 he took upon himself our sin 00:26:58.859 --> 00:27:00.039 and our shame 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:01.920 so that we might be closed 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:03.500 in his honor. 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:06.519 This is the greatness of Jesus, 00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:09.480 our king and our high priest. 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:12.359 Now, as we said earlier, 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:15.200 it's impossible to recognize someone's greatness 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:17.079 and remain unchanged. 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:19.819 So I want to conclude with the question, 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:21.299 what does it look like to live 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:24.319 in light of the greatness of Jesus? 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:27.680 This passage doesn't spell out the applications, 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:30.200 but I want to point to three other verses in Hebrews 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:32.819 that apply some of the themes 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:34.779 that come out of this passage. 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:38.700 So chapter 4, verse 16 of Hebrews says, 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:41.319 Since we have a great high priest, 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.420 let us then with confidence 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:45.940 draw near to the throne of grace. 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.700 Now, many of us 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:50.559 don't approach God 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.920 and don't live 00:27:51.920 --> 00:27:53.660 with confident assurance 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:55.259 in God's love for us, 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:55.879 but instead, 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:58.019 we live in our shame. 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.839 You know, if you've last, 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:02.099 if you have seen 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:03.440 the last two episodes 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.259 of Downton Abbey, 00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:06.500 this is Anna's situation, 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:07.559 right? 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.839 She's filled with shame 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:11.799 because of a horrible thing 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:13.379 that someone did to her. 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.680 And so she draws back, 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.500 even from Bates, 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.400 even from her husband, 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.839 the person who loves her 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:20.140 more than anyone else in the world. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.140 And she moves out 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:22.920 into her own apartment. 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.700 She doesn't even want 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.420 to let him touch her. 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.620 She lives in isolation 00:28:26.620 --> 00:28:27.980 and anguish, 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:29.480 but her husband Bates 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.160 pursues her, 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:32.120 and he pursues her gently, 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:34.059 and he pursues her gradually, 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:35.819 but he pursues her persistently 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:37.080 because he's determined 00:28:37.080 --> 00:28:38.279 to win her back, 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.279 whatever the cause of the shame. 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.559 You know, sometimes our shame 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:45.400 comes from ugly things 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:47.420 that other people have said about us 00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:48.680 or done to us. 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.220 And sometimes our shame 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:53.000 comes from our own failures, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.539 and our own sin. 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.579 But whatever the source 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.180 of the shame, 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.839 Jesus has come 00:28:58.839 --> 00:29:00.119 as our great high priest 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:02.299 to bestow his blessing 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:04.819 and a love upon us, 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:06.720 to clothe us in his honor 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:08.880 and crown us with his glory 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:09.599 and his love 00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:11.119 and draw us near to him. 00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.980 So if you are crippled, 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.779 if you feel hindered by shame, 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.900 consider the greatness 00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:20.040 of Jesus, 00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:22.600 our high priest, 00:29:23.060 --> 00:29:25.240 who has not drawn back from us, 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:26.800 but has drawn near to us. 00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.220 Through Jesus, 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:30.480 you and I can approach God 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:32.280 with freedom and confidence, 00:29:32.280 --> 00:29:34.960 and we can live before the world, 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:37.200 not in shame, 00:29:38.080 --> 00:29:39.860 but in freedom and confidence 00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:42.480 of knowing his love for us. 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:45.240 Second verse, 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.000 chapter 13, 00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:47.640 verse 5. 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:50.220 Keep your life free 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.039 from love of money 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:52.440 and be content 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.339 with what you have, 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.779 for he has said, 00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.740 I will never leave you 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.539 nor forsake you. 00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:58.720 When we recognize 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.880 the greatness of Jesus, 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:01.519 that he has promised 00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.680 never to leave us 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:04.460 and never to forsake us 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:06.400 and never to abandon us, 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:08.420 temporary things 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.740 like money 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.779 and possessions 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:12.380 and worldly status 00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:13.680 begin to fade 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.440 into the background 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:16.019 of our lives. 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:17.740 They become secondary, 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.820 just means to the end 00:30:19.820 --> 00:30:20.680 of loving Jesus 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:22.400 and loving his people. 00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:24.160 And so if Jesus 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.759 is our righteous 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.640 and faithful king, 00:30:26.060 --> 00:30:27.279 it makes sense 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.320 to tithe, 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.980 to give 10% 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:30.700 of our income 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:31.900 as an expression 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.480 of submission 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.460 and loyalty 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.440 to Jesus, 00:30:34.800 --> 00:30:35.180 our king. 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.840 As Abraham did 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:39.019 to give honor 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.819 to Melchizedek, 00:30:40.459 --> 00:30:40.939 as the people 00:30:40.939 --> 00:30:41.599 in the Old Testament 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:44.879 did under the Old Testament law. 00:30:45.679 --> 00:30:46.379 So whether it's giving 00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:47.339 to the local church 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:48.879 or giving to missionaries 00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:49.779 or giving to the poor 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.839 in the name of Christ, 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:51.720 we're saying, 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:53.019 Jesus, I give you 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.399 the first cup 00:30:54.399 --> 00:30:57.139 of what you've given me 00:30:57.139 --> 00:30:58.859 because my first priority 00:30:58.859 --> 00:31:00.220 is to see your greatness 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:02.619 proclaimed in all the world. 00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:06.679 Third, chapter 13, verse 15. 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.459 Through Jesus, 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.319 let us continually 00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:10.480 offer up a sacrifice 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:12.000 of praise to God 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:13.379 that is the fruit of lips 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.579 that acknowledge his name. 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:17.439 The third response 00:31:17.439 --> 00:31:18.559 to the greatness of Jesus, 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:21.659 to draw near to him, 00:31:21.919 --> 00:31:22.599 to surrender 00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:24.099 and give ourselves to him. 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:25.099 And third, 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:26.679 to acknowledge him publicly. 00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:27.899 You know, 00:31:27.939 --> 00:31:28.899 whatever we recognize 00:31:28.899 --> 00:31:29.559 as great, 00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:32.299 the most natural response 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:33.439 is to acknowledge 00:31:33.439 --> 00:31:34.919 that person to others, 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:37.779 to praise them. 00:31:37.860 --> 00:31:39.100 It's the most natural thing to do. 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.160 You know, 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:42.580 if you're a Broncos fan, 00:31:43.560 --> 00:31:44.600 sometime today, 00:31:44.800 --> 00:31:46.039 you're going to express 00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:47.380 your loyalty to your team. 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.940 You're not going to sit 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:51.160 and watch the game 00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:52.160 completely silent, 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.539 pretending that you don't care 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.519 at all who wins. 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:57.480 You're going to express 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:59.220 your admiration 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.400 and your love 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:02.240 for that which you think 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:02.740 is great. 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:04.839 And when we recognize 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:05.779 the greatness of Jesus, 00:32:06.180 --> 00:32:07.240 the natural response 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.160 is not to keep it 00:32:08.160 --> 00:32:08.740 to ourselves. 00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:10.240 Now, 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:10.660 there's no need 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.539 to be obnoxious, 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:13.839 but the natural response 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:15.039 is to publicly acknowledge 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:15.380 Jesus 00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:16.960 and to tell others 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:18.120 about his greatness 00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:19.319 and to invite them 00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:19.900 to consider 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:21.339 his greatness 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.720 that we have seen 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.559 and experienced. 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.319 So let us consider 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.380 the greatness of Jesus, 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:29.059 our great king 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.900 of righteousness 00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:30.539 and peace, 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:31.779 our high priest 00:32:31.779 --> 00:32:32.819 who lives forever. 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:34.039 Let us pray. 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:47.920 Lord Jesus, 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.660 we thank you 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:50.539 that in your word, 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.279 Lord, 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:56.519 even in small portions 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.539 of your word 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:58.119 that we might 00:32:58.119 --> 00:33:00.179 be tempted 00:33:00.179 --> 00:33:00.779 to neglect. 00:33:01.419 --> 00:33:01.779 Lord, 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:02.559 that we see 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.839 your greatness 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:05.099 and your glory revealed 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:07.000 in this person 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:07.759 of Melchizedek. 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:10.279 We thank you, 00:33:10.339 --> 00:33:10.559 Jesus, 00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:12.919 for how you 00:33:12.919 --> 00:33:14.839 arrange that 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:16.979 to display 00:33:16.979 --> 00:33:17.619 your glory, 00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:19.619 to display 00:33:19.619 --> 00:33:21.159 not only 00:33:21.159 --> 00:33:21.839 your kingly 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:22.539 authority, 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:26.720 but your faithfulness 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.279 to us 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.460 as our high priest. 00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:32.379 Lord, 00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:32.859 we pray 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:34.819 that you would 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:35.559 open our eyes 00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:36.299 to your greatness 00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:37.879 and, Lord, 00:33:37.899 --> 00:33:38.720 that we would respond 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:40.240 appropriately to you, 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:43.599 knowing that you 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:45.220 have blessed us 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:46.440 with every spiritual blessing. 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:49.039 In your name we pray. 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.220 Amen. 00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:50.319 Amen. 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:50.379 Amen. 00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:50.399 Amen. 00:33:50.399 --> 00:33:50.420 Amen. 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:50.440 Amen. 00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:50.480 Amen. 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:50.519 Amen. 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:50.539 Amen. 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:50.599 Amen. 00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:52.519 Amen. 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.519 Amen. 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.519 Amen. 00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.200 Well, there's one more thing 00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:56.319 about Melchizedek 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:58.259 that the author of Hebrews 00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:58.900 doesn't mention, 00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.700 and that's when Melchizedek 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:02.019 came to Abraham, 00:34:02.539 --> 00:34:03.680 he brought out bread and wine 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:05.500 to refresh him 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:08.500 after the battle, 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.239 and he blessed him. 00:34:09.759 --> 00:34:10.679 And this morning we come 00:34:10.679 --> 00:34:11.539 to the Lord's table, 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.340 and at the Lord's table, 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:14.280 Jesus Christ, 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.179 our great king 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:16.900 of righteousness 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.579 and peace, 00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:18.980 our great high priest, 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:19.719 our representative, 00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:21.119 offers us bread 00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:22.539 representing his body, 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:23.859 and a cup 00:34:23.859 --> 00:34:25.199 representing his blood 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:26.739 as visible signs 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.539 of his promise 00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:28.559 and his blessing 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:29.519 upon us. 00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:31.299 The message 00:34:31.299 --> 00:34:33.239 that we proclaim here 00:34:33.239 --> 00:34:34.000 is that Jesus 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:35.179 has not held 00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:36.099 anything back 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:37.039 from us. 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.699 He gave us himself 00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.299 when he died 00:34:39.299 --> 00:34:39.960 on the cross, 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:41.559 and when we are 00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:42.339 joined to him 00:34:42.339 --> 00:34:43.000 by faith, 00:34:43.719 --> 00:34:45.279 he promises 00:34:45.279 --> 00:34:46.219 that he will never 00:34:46.219 --> 00:34:46.859 leave us 00:34:46.859 --> 00:34:48.079 nor forsake us. 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:50.119 So if you're 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:50.960 a Christian 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.619 here today, 00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:53.039 if Jesus Christ 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:53.739 is your king 00:34:53.739 --> 00:34:55.199 and your high priest, 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.579 take the bread 00:34:57.579 --> 00:34:58.179 and the cup, 00:34:58.819 --> 00:34:59.519 eat and drink, 00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:01.059 and be assured 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:02.420 of God's promise 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.599 and his love 00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:05.319 and his faithfulness 00:35:05.319 --> 00:35:05.739 to you. 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:07.539 And as you take it, 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:08.559 offer yourself 00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:08.980 to him 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:10.900 in a fresh way. 00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:12.519 If you're not 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:12.960 a Christian, 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.319 if you're not sure 00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:15.139 who Jesus is, 00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:16.159 we're glad 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:16.819 you're here today. 00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:18.740 Instead of taking 00:35:18.740 --> 00:35:19.640 the bread and the cup, 00:35:20.620 --> 00:35:21.320 use this time 00:35:21.320 --> 00:35:21.880 to consider 00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:23.300 what they represent, 00:35:23.760 --> 00:35:24.280 to consider 00:35:24.280 --> 00:35:25.059 what it would mean 00:35:25.059 --> 00:35:25.940 for you 00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:28.059 to trust 00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:28.940 this Jesus. 00:35:30.740 --> 00:35:31.700 With those who are 00:35:31.700 --> 00:35:32.980 helping to serve communion, 00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:34.380 come to the front today. 00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:34.440 Amen. 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:34.600 Amen.