Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. He blessed Abram. (Genesis 14:18-19)
So there’s this mysterious man named Melchizedek in this chapter. We learn that he was both a king and a priest, something that wasn’t too common. After Abram defeated the four kings and rescued his nephew, this Melchizedek suddenly appeared and met with Abram. Several important things took place at this meeting. But before we go there, there’s something really fascinating about this man. The name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness.” Melchizedek was also the king of Jerusalem, which translates “king of peace” (Gen. 14:18; Psalm 76:2). And so, Melchizedek was called the “king of righteousness and peace.” Wow! Are the bells ringing for anyone? Many people believe Melchizedek gives us a glimpse of the future King and Priest, who would come and do far more magnificent things.
In Psalm 110:4, David tells us that the messiah would be a Priestly King “according to the pattern of Melchizedek.” The writer of the book of Hebrews also agrees that Melchizedek was pointing us to the greatest Priest and King of all time (Heb. 7:1-8:13).
Now, if Melchizedek is supposed to be a picture of Christ, then this moment between Melchizedek and Abram in chapter fourteen, gives us an extraordinary illustration of Jesus Christ with us. In Genesis 14:19, Melchizedek pronounces his priestly blessings upon Abram, who would become the father of nations. For us, our great High Priest has done the same. In 2 Corinthians 1:20, it tells us that in Jesus Christ “all the promises of God find their Yes in him.” Do you believe that Christ has pronounced his blessing on you through the gospel? His blessings of love, joy, peace, a new heart, a new mind, unending forgiveness, mercy and grace, justification, adoption, righteousness, sanctification, resurrection, inheritance, and eternal life! Jesus, as our Great Priest, he speaks this over us every day.
In Genesis 14:20, we see Melchizedek point Abram to “God Most High.” And Jesus has done the same for us, revealing to us “our Father in heaven” (Matt. 6:9). As the Apostle John has put it, “No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side —he has revealed him” (Jn. 1:18). Jesus is continually directing our gaze to the Father. We’ve got the best Priestly King anyone could ask for. And so today, give him what he’s so worthy of, your heart.