Blessed to be a Blessing – Melchizedek

The story of Melchizedek is somewhat mysterious.  There are only three passages in the Bible that mention this character.  The first is in Genesis 14, then in Psalm 110, and then in Hebrews 7.

We will see that this Melchizedek is a very important lesson, because it will reveal how important our view of Jesus should be.  Melchizedek is a type of Christ, that is, he is a picture or representation of the real thing.   We learned that Noah’s Ark is also a type of Christ (as in: the way of Salvation).  When Paul wrote Hebrews, he was addressing a group of believers who were thinking of returning to Judaism because of persecution.  Paul shows them, using Melchizedek, that Jesus is better than Abraham (that is a blessing that cannot come from following the Law)

Life Action Points

Monday and Tuesday

The study of Melchizedek (see Genesis 14 and Psalm 110) really opened up some deep truths in the Bible.  In the New Testament, his name first appears in Hebrews (ch.5), and the writer (probably Paul) makes this bold statement:

11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14)

Paul was speaking of Melchizedek, echoing the prophecy in Psalm 110, that Christ is not only the son of God, but a high priest, in the order of Melchizedek.  What does that mean?  This is spiritual meat that needs a little chewing.

First, you have to know about the priesthood.  A priest is one who offers up sacrifices and gifts for sins, for the people as well as for himself, as Aaron did (see v.1-4).  Aaron was of the Levitical priesthood.  God had given Moses the 10 Commandments and had established the Aaronic Priesthood to offer up sacrifices of animals each year.  But following the law and offering up sacrifices of animals was not the answer to our sin problem:

For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (Hebrews 10:4)

Then for what was the Law?  And why where all those animals sacrificed? Because, we are “dull of hearing,” that is hard-headed, stubborn.  We needed an object lesson, a tutor.  Paul states it so perfectly:

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Galations 3:24)

Jesus is not a priest like that of Aaron.  He’s of a higher order; an order of priests who only need to make one sacrifice … Himself; and having only one law … Love.  Paul goes on to say this:

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)

Jesus has fulfilled the Law and has made the final sacrifice for sins.  He is our high priest:

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:11-12)

When you realize this, and apply this deep truth to scripture, it all makes sense, the Bible comes alive!

Consider these passages:

Wednesday

In Matthew 19, a rich young ruler claimed to have kept the Law (in other words, he never sinned).

20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. (Matthew 19:20-22)

The young man could not follow the Law, but he could have had faith.  Melchizedek, king of righteousness, king of peace, offers us hope where the Law only teaches us of our weaknesses.

Thursday

In Luke 18, a Pharisee and tax collector are praying to God:

10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get. 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’

Here we are reminded of what the Law can do to a heart without faith.  The Law can teach us things about ourselves.  Melchizedek, king of righteousness, king of peace, offers us hope where the Law only teaches us of our weaknesses.  The tax collector knew that; the Pharisee didn’t.

Friday

In John 4, we read of the woman at the well.  She was a Samaritan.  The Jews hated the Samaritans.  After revealing the truth about Himself to the woman, Jesus ends up staying there for two more days.

39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Melchizedek, king of righteousness, king of peace, offers us hope where the Law only teaches us of our weaknesses.  You can follow the Law all your life; to the point your religion is more important to you than people.  If you think that you are winning points with God because of how good you are, you are still bound to the Law.  Let the Law teach you this one lesson: you are a sinner who needs a Savior.