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 the bible and it is in reference to the person of Melchizedek. This appearance of Melchizedek is full to overflowing with Messianic prophetic truth for us in Jesus Christ. 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 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 Old Testament. But in the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews refers to Christ as 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). 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, in this one verse from genesis, where the word "priest" appears for the first time. Melchizedek came out to bless Abram, and 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, 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. Bless You Lord! Hallelujah!