King of righteousness; King of peace

Hebrews 7:1-17 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. ³ Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.

⁴ Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. ⁵ And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. ⁶ But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. ⁷ But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. ⁹ And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, ¹⁰ for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

¹¹ Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. ¹³ For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. ¹⁵ And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever  According to the order of Melchizedek.”

In order for us to fully understand what the writer of Hebrews is saying, we would need to have a deeper understanding of the religion, the customs and the traditions of the Jewish people. Much of the letter to the Hebrews is comparing Jesus, and the new covenant He established to the law and old covenant regulations and traditions. Through the study of the religious regulations, feasts and festivals, Jesus is revealed. Everything God set for the Israelites to practice and follow, was pointing toward Jesus, the Messiah. Even the strict regulations of the law are meant to reveal Christ, who as He Himself says is the fulfillment of the law. In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus says:   “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”     Jesus and the new covenant are the completion and fulfillment of all that God intended and all that He set forth in the old covenant.

In today’s text it begins:    For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,  to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.  The text ends:  For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever  According to the order of Melchizedek.”       That Jesus, like Melchizedek, is the king of righteousness and the king of peace is something we can understand and apply to our lives, without studying the Jewish background and application. That He is the king of righteousness, is that Jesus is Himself fully righteous. I John 1:5 says:  This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.      Jesus is righteous, holy, without sin, It is a primary part of His character. It also is how He rules. The psalmist says: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You. (Psalm 89:14)   Jesus, fully righteous, perfect, without sin, gave His life as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, because the justice of God required that there would be a price, a consequence for sin. Romans 6:23 says:   For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.      Jesus paid the price for our sins. He became sin for us so that we could become His righteousness. Romans 13:14 says:  put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.   Ephesians 4:24 says: put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.     The righteousness of Christ is both a gift He gives to us and it is also the foundation of His throne and authority. After His finished work on the cross and His resurrection from the grave, Jesus says:  “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”        All authority, Jesus is the King, He is the King of Kings.

Jesus is also the King of peace. In Isaiah 9:6-7 the prophet speaks of Jesus birth saying:  For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end          Again, just as with His righteousness, Jesus peace is both part of His character and also as the King of peace, it is something He gives to us, an element of His rule and authority. Jesus says:   “ Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)  And again in John 16:33, Jesus says:  “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”     The peace that Jesus gives us is not always a peace that the world would recognize. There still may be chaos and turmoil all around us. There are times that He may indeed bring peace and calm to the circumstances of our lives. In Mark 4 there is an account of a time when Jesus and the disciples were in a boat in the midst of a storm. Verse 39 says:  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.      There are other times though that Jesus will give us peace in the midst of our trials and storms. His promise to us is that in spite of all that comes against us:  “I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  (Matthew 28:20)

The peace of Christ that we know and have from the King of peace, is the peace that the psalmist knew. He says:    The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Thank You heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, The King of Righteousness and Peace; and precious Holy Spirit, that through the finished work of the cross I have the righteousness of Christ and through the power of the resurrection, Christ alive with me, I have peace.   Amen