Tithing to My High Priest

Scripture: Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. Surely the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a command to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, though they also come from the seed of Abraham. But this man, whose descent is not numbered among them, received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. Without question, the inferior is blessed by the superior. Hebrews 7:4-7

Observation: In this long message relating Jesus to Melchizedek, the author spends significant time discussing the nature and greatness of Melchizedek. In addition to the translations about his name and home, he points out that Abraham himself - the greatest of the patriarchs and father of the Hebrews - gave his tithe to Melchizedek and was in turn blessed by him. This is an act of supplication, with Abraham forever acknowledging the inferiority of himself and his decedents to this priestly king who is without beginning, without end, and without lineage.

When the old testament, therefore, proclaims Messiah as the chief priest in the order of Melchizedek, it is declaring that Jesus is the great priest over the Hebrews, and that all the ritual law required by the priests descended from Aaron are no longer required as there is now a new priesthood.

Application: I have written about Melchizedek before, as I firmly understand him to be not a man who simply ate dinner with Abraham, but rather the appearance of the Son of God in the old testament. (I understand there are alternative interpretations, and I am not opposed to them.) Regardless of his nature, he was clearly acknowledged by Abraham as the high priest of the Lord, and the man most worthy of honor through the giving of God's tithe. Abraham, a man who at the time was so rich and powerful that his household was defeating entire other nations in battle, gave freely to God's high priest.

This lesson is directed to the Hebrews, who need to escape their ideas of ritual sacrifice of animals performed by temple priests, instead accept the permanent sacrifice of Jesus Christ as their high priest, and respond to that sacrifice with faith. I was never subject to the ritual law, and thus don't have a habit to break. However, I do need to remember to respond to Jesus in faith. I need to keep my tithe and remember it was established by Abraham himself. I need to remember what it establishes ... my subjugation to the Jesus, the high priest of God, and my acknowledgment of that greatness.

Prayer: Lord, I still carry a reminder in my wallet that I have is yours. It is burned in my heart. I know everything I have is yours, and I know that you do not even require all of it, but only what is expected to represent faith. I freely and joyfully give, fully acknowledging your greatness, your blessing, and your love. Amen.