How Is Christ Our Priest?

[Sung Psalm: 110]

Melchizedek is a strange fellow. Who is he? Where does he come from? Unlike most of the characters in Genesis Melchizedek is not connected to anyone else. (That's why Hebrews will say that he has no father or mother).

In Genesis 14, we see the blessing of Abraham in action. God is with Abraham, and so therefore Abraham becomes a blessing to the nations. Those who bless Abraham are blessed. Those who curse Abraham are cursed.

And in Abraham all the nations of the earth are blessed.

But that's precisely where Genesis 14 turns strange. Because Melchizedek, whose name means, “King of Righteousness” who is the king of Salem, namely, “King of Peace” brings bread and wine as priest of God Most High, and as a priest blesses Abraham and celebrates a covenant meal.

As Hebrews will tell us, it is the greater who blesses the lesser.

So the fact that Melchizedek blesses Abraham means that Melchizedek is greater than Abraham.

But Melchizedek, king of Salem, disappears from the scene as quickly as he appeared, and there is no further trace of Melchizedek until you get to Psalm 110....