Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?

And here we get to the point that the author of Hebrews is trying to make by telling us that Jesus came in the order of Melchizedek. The priests in the Levitical priesthood collected a 10th of acquired wealth from all of the Israelites, because this was written in the law. The law and its judgement brought death to the Israelites because of sin. However, Melchizedek was a priest of a different order. He was a priest of the living, not found by the law that came after Abraham, but a priest of God because of his righteousness.

And for the Jews, Abraham was the patriarch, the one they looked up to for his faith. He was the one who believed in God so much that he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar. And Melchizedek was greater than him. This is a pretty great man!

And Jesus came in his order because he was not bound by death, because he was sinless. Instead, he is a living priest. He did not need to make sacrifices for himself, but he sacrificed himself for us. And he lives and reigns as a priest forever at the right hand of God the Father.

The main point here is there is no way to get to heaven by trying to work hard enough on our own, doing good works. Our works are dead on arrival because we were sinners on arrival. Jesus is the only way. He is the best way. And he gives us a great life in relationship with the Lord.

God, thank you for this passage that points out that Jesus is a different kind of priest. Teach me to recognize that I can go to him frequently and often for help. He is there to advocate for me with you.