Melchizedek and Jesus

Today’s Word Of Encouragement From Wayne:

“After his [Abram’s] 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; now he was a priest of God most High”

Genesis 14:17-18

This is the first time the word “priest” appears in Scripture and it is in reference to the person of Melchizedek.

This appearance of Melchizedek in Genesis is full-to-overflowing with prophetic Messianic truth for us concerning our “great High Priest” (Hebrews 4:14), Jesus Christ.

The name, Melchizedek, means “king of righteousness” (Hebrews 7:2), while king of Salem means “king of peace” (Hebrews 7:2). Melchizedek was a king and a priest, as was later prophesied of our Messiah in Psalm 110, which says, “The Lord says to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’ The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:1,4).These are the only two mentions of Melchizedek in the entire Old Testament.

However, in the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews referred to Jesus Christ as both our King and High Priest, specifically as the fulfillment of this word from Psalm 110 five times (Hebrews 1:13, 1:3, 5:6, 7:17, 7:21). So we see how God planted prophetic seeds, even as early as in the book of Genesis, to be later fully revealed and realized in Jesus Christ our Savior. Lord, and Priest forever.

Then, let us also consider what Melchizedek happened to be carrying with him, “bread and wine,” the very elements of our Lord Jesus Christ’s body and blood.

Our Savior, on the eve of His crucifixion, ministered the first ever communion, where the account reads, “And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ And in the same way he took the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood’” (Luke 22:19-20).

All in this one single verse from Genesis we are shown: Christ our King of righteousness and peace, His sacrifice for us through His body and blood, and His resurrection role as High Priest of a New Covenant, which now lives in us. All of this truth of our Savior, and God’s great love for us, appears in this one verse from genesis, where the word “priest” appears in Scripture for the first time.

Melchizedek came to bless Abram. Christ, our Savior, has come to bless us by becoming our King and High Priest, Who has offered us the “bread and wine” of His Own body and blood, that we would receive Him and be forever united with Him in a new covenant as His “kingdom and priests to our God”(Revelation 5:8).

God made it all clear, prophetically speaking, when the first reference to the word, priest, ever appeared, that He wants to live in His people in a new covenant of righteousness and peace, made possible through the body and blood of His Son, our resurrected High priest, Jesus our indwelling and reigning King of peace.

As you minister to your Lord in His presence today, Honor Him and thank Him for giving you this mighty prophetic word, all fulfilled for you now in and through our Savior, Lord, and High Priest, Jesus Christ. Bless You Lord! Hallelujah!