In yesterday’s sermon we heard about Melchizedek, and enigmatic figure who meets Abram as he returns from rescuing Lot, his family and others from the ‘Black Hat Gang’ of four kings (to get that reference you will need to have seen the talk – check out the video below). We’re going to step out of Genesis this week and see what Hebrews has to say about him.
Hebrews 7:1-3 (NIVUK)
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness’; then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace’. 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest for ever.
In these opening verses of Hebrews 7, the writer portrays Melchizedek as a foretaste or type of Jesus. He’s righteous like Jesus. He’s the King of Peace, like Jesus (Salem = peace, and went on to become Jerusalem). There’s no record of his death, just as through his resurrection Jesus lives forever. This means there is no clear end to his role as priest, just as Jesus’ priestly work never ends.
Jesus, thank you that the peace and righteousness you offer us are not temporary, but permanent, and that we are secure in you.
Image used with permission from www.lambsongs.co.nz
Leave a Reply