Hebrews 7:14-28 (NIV) 14For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.  15And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,  16one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.  17For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”  18The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless  19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.  20And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath,  21but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’ ”  22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.  23Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office;  24but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.  25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.  26Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.  27Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.  28For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Genesis 14:18-20 (NIV) 18Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,  19and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.  20And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

As the clues continue to unfold, we begin to realize that we need, not only a king but also, a priest - a king to rule and a priest to bring us into the presence of God.  One clue that is very confusing is found in Genesis 14:18-20 (NIV) “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.  And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

A very strange prophetic event took place in Abraham’s life when he met a priest of God, got blessed and then brought his tithes to him.  To understand this event we need to read Hebrews 7 (focus verses 14-28).  It would seem that this is a foreshadow of Jesus and the role of high priest that he will fulfill.  Abram knew that he needed someone to intercede for him before a holy and righteous God because he was a sinner.  All of us need a high priest, who is without sin, who can save us completely. Jesus is that high priest because he offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins once for all.  

When Jesus entered this world as a child, we celebrate his birth as king. But He also came as high priest to intercede for us before God.  What does it mean to you that today Jesus is in heaven, with the Father, acting as High Priest?  What does it mean to you that one day Jesus will come back to establish His kingdom and reign as king?  

Memory Verse:  Romans 8:34 (NIV)
 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.