March 21, 2015

“So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:5-10

Abram had been told by God to pick up and leave his land—the only home he had ever known—and go. He had no idea where he was to go, just that G*d promised a place for him. You can’t possibly imagine how big this is unless your family has lived in the same land, or the same town for generations. This was what G*d was asking Abraham to do. In return, G*d said he would bless him and make him the father of many nations. After settling by the Oaks at Mamre he was still childless. So much for him being the “father of nations.” He was having some family issues, in particular problems with his nephew, Lot. And, subsequently he found himself in the middle of a grand war. A war among many kings. If Abraham’s story stopped there, he would be a sad laughingstock whose life had been completely turned upside-down by a G*d who had asked him to move, and who had promised him the world in return. And all he had to show for it was war, strife, and barrenness.

But, he won the war, and as the kings were settling the tab, a new person comes on the scene. With a name that hadn’t been referenced before, and in the narrative of the Torah wouldn’t be referenced again. A figure that appears and then vanishes again with hardly a comment. His name is Melchizedek. The name literally means “King of Righteousness.” He’s identified as “The King of Salem.” Of course, “Salem” means “Peace.” He’s also identified as the High Priest of “El Elyon”—or “God Most High.” And he comes into the valley with the other kings, and he offers bread and wine—and he blesses Abram. So, this guy is the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace, he’s the High Priest of the G*d of gods, and he offers blessing and a meal of bread and wine. Hey, does any of this sound familiar? Does he sound familiar?

The author of Hebrews isn’t clear on whether or not Jesus and Melchizedek are the same person, but the author is crystal clear that they are cut from the same cloth. Jesus is the High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek. I think what is most helpful to us today is that we are told here that Jesus is like Melchizedek: Melchizedek is not Jesus. But when we need Jesus, he, like Melchizedek, just comes. And he comes with peace, and righteousness, and blessing, and in the Sacred Meal of Holy Communion. So, if we find this Lent that we are told to move, or to change direction, or to make a major change in our lives, remember, we have a high priest just like Melchizedek – but he is not Melchizedek – He is Jesus.

Pastor Dave