"For there is one God and one Mediator between God and mankind, that being Jesus Christ." 1st Timothy 2:5
This verse emphasizes Jesus' unique role as our appointed Mediator by God the Father, himself... bridging the gap between God and humanity. It highlights His divinity as humanity's sole way to access God, through Jesus.
I've been studying the book of Hebrews, particularly chapter 7, which is often misunderstood. This chapter is not about tithing or following Old Testament laws, but rather about understanding the shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. Under the Old Covenant, people followed strict laws and rituals, including tithing and animal sacrifices, to try to earn God's favor. However, these practices were imperfect and couldn't fully address the problem of sin.
That's where Jesus comes in. He fulfilled the law and became our ultimate High Priest, offering a perfect sacrifice that finally atoned for our sins. Through faith in Jesus, we're no longer bound by the Old Law's rules and regulations. Instead, we're free to live a life empowered by God's grace. This grace isn't just forgiveness; it's also the power to live in a way that honors God. Further, we don't have to earn God's favor, at all. He ALREADY loves and accepts us, and proved that, on the cross. We never have to earn God's love, as it is freely given; independent of our performance. That's what "grace" means...UN-earned favor from God.
As believers, we're called to give freely and generously, not out of obligation or duty, but out of love and gratitude for what Jesus has done for us. Under the New Covenant, our relationship with God is now based on faith, trust, and a personal connection with Him, rather than following a set of rules. We serve God out of our deep love and appreciation for His sacrifice on the cross to pay for our sins; not out of obligation, and we're empowered by His Spirit, to live a life that honors Him.
Building on this understanding, Hebrews chapter 7, explains that Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood superior to the Aaronic priesthood established under the old law. This is demonstrated by Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek, showing Melchizedek's greater authority. The chapter uses Melchizedek's eternal nature—with no recorded beginning or end—to symbolize Jesus' eternal priesthood, which offers a perfect and permanent way to approach God, unlike the flawed and temporary Levitical priesthood.
Jesus' priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood:
The chapter contrasts the priesthood of Jesus with the Aaronic priesthood, which came from the tribe of Levi.
Melchizedek as the model:
Melchizedek is used as a model for Jesus' priesthood, because he was both a king and a priest, and was GREATER than Abraham, who paid him tithes.
Melchizedek is a fascinating figure in the Bible. Despite the limited information about him, he's an important type or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. The fact that he's described as a king-priest and greater than Abraham, makes him a compelling model for Jesus' priesthood. The author of Hebrews uses Melchizedek's unique characteristics to highlight Jesus' superiority over the Levitical priesthood and to emphasize the eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood. It's interesting to consider how the biblical authors use different figures and narratives to convey deeper theological truths.
Jesus' eternal nature:
The lack of a recorded genealogy or end to Melchizedek's life in the scriptures, is used to show that his priesthood was not temporary. This mirrors Jesus, who is an ETERNAL priest, unlike the Levitical priests who had to be replaced by death.
Perfection and salvation:
Because Jesus' priesthood is eternal and sinless, he can offer a perfect and once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The old covenant's system of sacrifice was imperfect and could not provide a permanent solution. We don't have to be perfect and Jesus doesn't expect us to. He provided the perfect solution for our sins so that they could not condemn us anymore.
"There is, therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1
The New Covenant:
The chapter reveals that Jesus' new, eternal priesthood, brings a "better hope" and makes the old covenant obsolete. Therefore, abandoning faith in Christ, means returning to a lesser, imperfect system.
Thank you, Jesus, for your saving grace and ultimate bodily sacrifice, just for us, though we did not deserve it. I, for one, shall always be grateful. And I'm so thankful that salvation is available to everyone who wishes to have it, through you. Thankful that you turn no one away, regardless of status, race, or performance. Thank you for forgiving our sins. Amen.
*Here's a footnote, for those who may seek clarity on what scripture says about tithing.
By the way, thank you for reading my article and for your thoughtful comments.
The Ten Commandments are part of the Old Testament law, but in the context of Hebrews chapter 7, the author is specifically discussing the ceremonial and priestly laws that were fulfilled by Jesus' sacrifice. The New Testament teaches that while the ceremonial laws are no longer binding, the moral laws, including the Ten Commandments, are still relevant and important for Christians. In fact, Jesus himself affirmed the importance of the commandments in Matthew 19:16-22 and other passages.
Regarding tithing, Jesus' statement about giving to Caesar what is Caesar's and giving to God what is God's is often seen as a call to prioritize our relationship with God and to be good stewards of our resources. While Jesus didn't directly command tithing, he did rebuke the Pharisees for neglecting justice and mercy, suggesting that our giving should be accompanied by a heart of obedience and love for God and others. I hope this clarifies the points I was trying to make in the article.
The phrase "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's" is more about paying taxes and respecting the government's authority rather than directly commanding tithing. In the context of Matthew 22:15-22, Jesus is teaching about the distinction between civic duties and spiritual obligations. He's not necessarily establishing a specific percentage or amount for giving to God. Instead, He's emphasizing the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God and recognizing that our resources ultimately belong to Him.
I've been studying the book of Hebrews, particularly chapter 7, which is often misunderstood. This chapter is not about tithing or following Old Testament laws, but rather about understanding the shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. Under the Old Covenant, people followed strict laws and rituals, including tithing and animal sacrifices, to try to earn God's favor. However, these practices were imperfect and couldn't fully address the problem of sin.
That's where Jesus comes in. He fulfilled the law and became our ultimate High Priest, offering a perfect sacrifice that finally atoned for our sins. Through faith in Jesus, we're no longer bound by the Old Law's rules and regulations. Instead, we're free to live a life empowered by God's grace. This grace isn't just forgiveness; it's also the power to live in a way that honors God. Further, we don't have to earn God's favor, at all. He ALREADY loves and accepts us, and proved that, on the cross. We never have to earn God's love, as it is freely given; independent of our performance. That's what "grace" means...UN-earned favor from God.
As believers, we're called to give freely and generously, not out of obligation or duty, but out of love and gratitude for what Jesus has done for us. Under the New Covenant, our relationship with God is now based on faith, trust, and a personal connection with Him, rather than following a set of rules. We serve God out of our deep love and appreciation for His sacrifice on the cross to pay for our sins; not out of obligation, and we're empowered by His Spirit, to live a life that honors Him.
Building on this understanding, Hebrews chapter 7, explains that Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood superior to the Aaronic priesthood established under the old law. This is demonstrated by Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek, showing Melchizedek's greater authority. The chapter uses Melchizedek's eternal nature—with no recorded beginning or end—to symbolize Jesus' eternal priesthood, which offers a perfect and permanent way to approach God, unlike the flawed and temporary Levitical priesthood.
Jesus' priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood:
The chapter contrasts the priesthood of Jesus with the Aaronic priesthood, which came from the tribe of Levi.
Melchizedek as the model:
Melchizedek is used as a model for Jesus' priesthood, because he was both a king and a priest, and was GREATER than Abraham, who paid him tithes.
Melchizedek is a fascinating figure in the Bible. Despite the limited information about him, he's an important type or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. The fact that he's described as a king-priest and greater than Abraham, makes him a compelling model for Jesus' priesthood. The author of Hebrews uses Melchizedek's unique characteristics to highlight Jesus' superiority over the Levitical priesthood and to emphasize the eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood. It's interesting to consider how the biblical authors use different figures and narratives to convey deeper theological truths.
Jesus' eternal nature:
The lack of a recorded genealogy or end to Melchizedek's life in the scriptures, is used to show that his priesthood was not temporary. This mirrors Jesus, who is an ETERNAL priest, unlike the Levitical priests who had to be replaced by death.
Perfection and salvation:
Because Jesus' priesthood is eternal and sinless, he can offer a perfect and once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The old covenant's system of sacrifice was imperfect and could not provide a permanent solution. We don't have to be perfect and Jesus doesn't expect us to. He provided the perfect solution for our sins so that they could not condemn us anymore.
"There is, therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1
The New Covenant:
The chapter reveals that Jesus' new, eternal priesthood, brings a "better hope" and makes the old covenant obsolete. Therefore, abandoning faith in Christ, means returning to a lesser, imperfect system.
Thank you, Jesus, for your saving grace and ultimate bodily sacrifice, just for us, though we did not deserve it. I, for one, shall always be grateful. And I'm so thankful that salvation is available to everyone who wishes to have it, through you. Thankful that you turn no one away, regardless of status, race, or performance. Thank you for forgiving our sins. Amen.
*Here's a footnote, for those who may seek clarity on what scripture says about tithing.
By the way, thank you for reading my article and for your thoughtful comments.
The Ten Commandments are part of the Old Testament law, but in the context of Hebrews chapter 7, the author is specifically discussing the ceremonial and priestly laws that were fulfilled by Jesus' sacrifice. The New Testament teaches that while the ceremonial laws are no longer binding, the moral laws, including the Ten Commandments, are still relevant and important for Christians. In fact, Jesus himself affirmed the importance of the commandments in Matthew 19:16-22 and other passages.
Regarding tithing, Jesus' statement about giving to Caesar what is Caesar's and giving to God what is God's is often seen as a call to prioritize our relationship with God and to be good stewards of our resources. While Jesus didn't directly command tithing, he did rebuke the Pharisees for neglecting justice and mercy, suggesting that our giving should be accompanied by a heart of obedience and love for God and others. I hope this clarifies the points I was trying to make in the article.
The phrase "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's" is more about paying taxes and respecting the government's authority rather than directly commanding tithing. In the context of Matthew 22:15-22, Jesus is teaching about the distinction between civic duties and spiritual obligations. He's not necessarily establishing a specific percentage or amount for giving to God. Instead, He's emphasizing the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God and recognizing that our resources ultimately belong to Him.
