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.
Hebrews 7:6,7
We all like shortcuts. When looking for directions, you’re always thankful when someone tells you a way to make the trip shorter. Because of the way I am, I’m forever looking for the fastest route to anywhere. I’m willing to try going different ways just to save a couple of minutes.
My parents became snowbirds right after my dad retired. They started spending their winters in Florida and enjoyed it immensely. My dad enjoyed fishing and piddling around their small single-wide manufactured home. My mom liked this even more because it meant that my dad was out somewhere so she could do whatever she wanted without being told what to do or how to do it.
Anyway, when we moved to Florida in 1996, I mapped out a route that took us about two hours each way. And life was fine. That is until my friend Chuck told me about a shortcut. If I was to turn onto 80 Foot Road and then turn right where it dead-end, it would save us about 10 minutes.
Now, I have to tell you that when he said 80 Foot Road, I thought he was kidding. But there really is such a road outside Bartow, FL. It’s county Route 559 and it’s so unknown that it’s not listed on the internet. But it does exactly what Chuck said it would. We avoided going through Bartow and saved 10 minutes.
If we’re honest, we’re all looking for ways to make life easier. To shave off a few minutes off any trip. To save a few dollars. To get a better deal without sacrificing quality. And to do this, we have to keep comparing things. Figuring out which one is better or worse.
Or, to put it another way, we keep measuring things. Which one is greater. Which one is better. Which one is bigger. And when we do this, we’re saying which ones are less than the other. Which one is smaller. Which one is weaker.
This is what the writer to the Hebrews is doing. He’s comparing Melchizedek, Mr. M, and Abraham. He didn’t do this to bribe Mr. M. This wasn’t some payback for something Mr. M. did. No. It was because Abraham figured out that Mr. M. was more important than he was.
Without saying a word, Abraham was shouting the truth that the inferior always, always, always looks up to the person who’s above them. And even though Abreham is a big deal in God’s plan, Mr. M’s an even bigger deal. It didn’t matter that through Abraham the whole world was going to be blessed, Mr. M. was more important. And in response to who he was, Abraham gave Mr. M. a tenth of everything he captured.
If we think about this for a minute, we all believe this. No one probably taught us this idea or truth. We didn’t watch some YouTube videos or pick it up from some DIY show on cable TV. In our hearts we know the truth that the lower gets blessing from the higher. The weaker receives from the stronger. The inferior is blessed by the superior.
I know that we like to think that everyone is the same. And in a certain way this is true. We’re all made in the image of God[1]. When it came to God loving, he loves all the people of the world the same[2]. Or, to use the words of an old hymn, “the ground is level at the foot of the cross[3].”
So, what’s this mean for us in our daily lives. It means that everyone is to be treated well and with respect. But there are certain people that have been given a role where we’re to honor them. To show respect for them.
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Romans 13:7
And while this plays out in our relationships here on planet Earth, there’s an eternal truth here too. God, our loving Heavenly Father who made us, wants us to recognize him for who he is. And this means giving ourselves totally to him. He’s the greatest greater in all the universe. Everyone and everything is less when compared to him.
So, how are we going to show our being less that God? How are we going to live so that he’s seen as being greater? Greater than us? Greater than all our sin. Greater than oue best and highest good?
The answer isn’t all that tough. He gets first place in our life. In all the nooks and crannies, God gets to call all the shots. He’s the one we worship. He’s the only one we call on when life goes sideways. He’s the one who walks with us when we’re going through the valley of the shadow of death[4]. He’s always our great God who’s greater than any problem that comes into our lives.
Noodling Questions
What’s your favorite shortcut? Explain why.
How do we move towards what’s more popular? What gets us more “Likes?”
Why is letting God call all the shots the best way of living?
[1] Genesis 1:26
[2] John 3:16,17
[4] Psalm 23:4
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