May the mumbling commence!
Jesus and Melchizedek – they are greater than ancestry. They go beyond the limits of time. Read about the story of Melchizedek from Hebrews chapter seven:
Now this Melchizedek was, we know, king of Salem and priest of God most high. He met Abraham when the latter was returning from the defeat of the kings, and blessed him. Abraham gave him a tribute of a tenth part of all the spoils of battle. (Melchizedek means "king of righteousness," and his other title is "king of peace", for Salem means peace. He had no father or mother and no family tree. He was not born nor did he die, but, being like the Son of God, is a perpetual priest.)
Now notice the greatness of this man. Even Abraham the patriarch pays him a tribute of a tenth part of the spoils. Further, we know that, according to the Law, the descendants of Levi who accept the office of priest have the right to demand a "tenth" from the people, that is from their brothers, despite the fact that the latter are descendants of Abraham. But here we have one who is quite independent of Levitical ancestry taking a "tenth" from Abraham, and giving a blessing to Abraham, the holder of God's promises! And no one can deny that the receiver of a blessing is inferior to the one who gives it. Again, in the one case it is mortal men who receive the "tenths", and in the other is one who, we are assured, is alive. One might say that even Levi, the proper receiver of "tenths", has paid his tenth to this man, for in a sense he already existed in the body of his father Abraham when Melchizedek met him. (Verses 1-10)
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. Melchizedek is called the king of peace. And, as many peace advocates will tell you, there is no true peace unless there is righteousness. Melchizedek’s name means king of righteousness. Jesus is the only righteous One.
Melchizedek blessed Abraham and accepted the tenth from Abraham. Greater blesses the lesser. And we are talking about the father of all faithful Jews! This story is truly recorded in Genesis – and it happened before the covenant of circumcision. Indeed, it happened before Abram was given his new name Abraham. Read the story from Genesis chapter fourteen:
After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,
"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
And blessed be God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand."
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself."
But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.' I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me – to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share." (Verses 17-24 – NIV)
Note that Melchizedek offers bread and wine! Make you think of the elements of the Eucharist – of Communion? It should.
Did you notice that Melchizedek blessed Abram before Abram gave him a tenth of everything? God’s blessings on us are never wholly contingent on our offerings to Him.
Did you notice that Abram gave a tenth to Melchizedek without being prompted? He did.
And, did you notice how Abram responded to the request of the human king? He denied that wealth and riches could come from anywhere other than the Lord!
May we be as firm and as generous as we offer our lives to Jesus – our Melchizedek, our Prince of Peace!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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