Christ Our Priest (WSC 25)

If it weren’t for Psalm 110, Genesis 14 - the story of Abraham and Melchizedek - might have stood simply as a somewhat strange episode in the life of Abraham.

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

Psalm 110 speaks of the kingly rule of the Son of David. But Psalm 110 also speaks of a priest – but a priest not of the line of Aaron – rather, a priest after the order of Melchizedek, and Melchizedek was both King of Salem and a priest of God Most High. David saw with the eyes of faith, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that Melchizedek prefigured something in the future of his own line.

This obscure event in the life of Abraham reveals God’s plan for the salvation of the human race. There must be a priestly king who never dies.

Q. 25. How does Christ execute the office of a priest?

A. Christ executes the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.