"For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?"
Yesterday's lesson made note that Jesus was a high priest in the order of Melchisedec. Today's quote identifies who Melchisedec was and defines the authority he held over Abraham, the father of the Jews.
In essence, this lesson tells us that God the Father gave Jesus Christ supreme power over all of mankind just as Melchisedec had had authority over Abraham and his seed. And just as Abraham owed homage to Melchisedec, we today, including the Jews, owe homage to Jesus.
God also gave Jesus the power to fulfill all the demands that had been placed on the Jews by the Law. He has done just that for all of us whom have believed in Him.
We should remember that this letter was written by Paul to his Jewish brethren concerning the authority God has turned over to Jesus Christ exclusively for the purpose of eternally redeeming all of mankind who seek such eternal redemption. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18)~
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