Author of Eternal Salvation (Jesus)
Hebrews
5:9-10 (ESV)
And
being made perfect, he became the source (KJV – author) of eternal salvation to
all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of
Melchizedek.
There are not many messages
preached or books written on the subject of the Priesthood of Jesus. He is
often referred to as a priest, but where did He get His credentials? You may
say, “He was the Son of God!” True, but He operated on earth as the Son of Man.
If He was not a man then all are still lost. It took the innocent blood of a
human to atone for the sins of mankind.
When God gave Moses The
Law He also divided Israel into thirteen separate groups, or tribes. Jacob had
twelve sons. God chose Levi as His own and made them priests of the new law. In
order to keep the number at twelve, God divided the descendants of Joseph into
groups represented by Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
Those born in the tribe
of Levi were priests. Jesus descended from Judah, and therefore not a priest
according to the Law. So, where did he obtain His priesthood? He is a priest
after the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek is first mentioned when he
encountered Abraham.
Genesis
14:17-20 (ESV)
After
his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the
king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s
Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was
priest of God Most High.)
And
he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of
heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies
into your hand!”
Melchizedek was not from
the nation of Israel. He could not have been from Levi (this happened before
Jacob was even born!). His priesthood is described as eternal – it has no
beginning and no ending. This is where Jesus obtained His priesthood – from the
Order of Melchizedek.
Therefore, He can save
us eternally. The passage in Hebrews refers to Jesus as “the Author of Eternal
Salvation.” Jesus wrote a New Covenant between God and man. He authored a plan
of salvation that, for the first time in history, could save eternally. Until
this time the blood of animals would cover sin for a year. Now, after Jesus was
crucified, raised from the dead, ascended to Heaven, and was seated at the
right hand of the Father, He offers eternal salvation. He sent the Holy Spirit
for the purpose of drawing all people to the Father, and provided the means by
which all people can be saved – He shed is own blood.
Once you allow the
Author to write your story it becomes a tale of the love of the Father seeking
out His son or daughter and redeeming them back for the Kingdom of Heaven,
making them royal heirs of God.
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