“A Priest In The Order Of Melchizedek!”

“A Priest In The Order Of Melchizedek!”(Gen.14:17-20).
We are in the Eleventh Day of Lent 2023. Our text for reflection begins with the victory of Abram over four kings as he rescued his nephew Lot who had been taken as a POW(prisoner of war).
Upon his return after the victory, “Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
Just like it was in Africa in the days of old, when villages were independent states, kings functioned as priests as well. That is why Melchizedek gave Abram a priestly blessing. Mechizedeck means “king of righteousness,” Salem which is a shortened form of Jerusalem is related to the Hebrew word for peace.
It is likely that King Mechizedeck was simply interested in Abram’s military might. If Abram could overpower four kings who had overpowered five kings, then he had to be respected and wooed as an ally.
It is also in this text that we read the first mention of a tithe (one tenth). A tenth was a king’s share(I Sam.8:15&17). By giving a tenth of his war booty to Melchizedek, Abram thus recognized the kingship of Melchizedek over Salem and he also considered Melchizedek’s blessing as a divine benediction.
The question that begs for an answer is, “How does this story relate to Lent?” To answer the question, the psalmist says, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek”(110:4). The New Testament writer of the letter to the Hebrews says the psalmist was writing about Jesus Christ. He states further that Jesus Christ “was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek”(Heb.5:6&10).
What does this mean for us? The above author helps us further on this. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receieve mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”(Heb.4:14-16).
Bottom line my dear friend: The Lord Jesus Christ is our high priest in heaven. Therefore, approach the throne of grace with confidence, receive mercy and grace to help you in your time of need; especially to overcome temptation.
Prayer of the week: Lord Jesus Christ, the great High priest, show me mercy and give me grace in my time of need. Amen!
Welcome to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.