There’s not much to say about Melchizedek since he’s really just a bit player in
the Bible and most of what is said about him is shrouded in mystery and speculation. But Melchizedek is
not the point of the passage. Learning obedience from suffering is. During the
days of our lives we experience suffering, both our own as well as the pain and
sorrow of those connected to us. But submission to suffering does not mean grin
and bear it since fervent cries and tears are anything but silent. Jesus'
obedience is not about being stoic. It's about being steadfast. He did not cease
in crying out. It was his obedience unto death that made him perfect.
Hebrews is the letter that contains descriptions of Jesus like “since the
children have flesh and blood he shared their humanity” (2:14) and “he was
tempted as we are in every way yet without sin” (4:15) and “he suffered
death…so he might taste death for everyone.” (2:9) The point of all this is
that we who are flesh and blood, tempted in every way, with our days numbered,
can hope that our fervent cries and tears will be heard by the One who can
save us from death. Not because Jesus is like Melchizedek but because Jesus became like us so that we will one day be like him.
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