“….if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek…according to the power of an indestructible life.”
HEBREWS 7:15-16
Last week a very mysterious character walked into the story of Abram, blessing him and then exiting just as quickly. Mentioned again in the Psalms, the book of Hebrews lays out his role and significance. This coming Sunday, Randall Gruendyke will help us see why Melchizedek matters.
How fascinating to see the “Gandalfian” Melchizedek make an appearance in our Abraham story – this curious priest who prefigured Christ. It reminds us that our God can raise up the greatest light in the middle of gross darkness. Isaiah predicted as much when he wrote that the people living in darkness would see a great light.
And just as Melchizedek takes on the priestly role in the presence of Abraham, we note that God can raise up instruments for his service, and for his glory, when, where, and however he desires.
John Owen wrote concerning Melchizedek that he was:
“…the first personal Type of Christ in the World and arguably the most eminent. The signal prefiguration of Christ in the nations of the world, at the same time when Abraham received the promises for himself and his posterity, gave a pledge and assurance of the certain future call of the Gentiles, unto an interest in him, and participation of him.”
Spurgeon shines a light beyond Melchizedek to Christ in the following:
“Christ meets us, brethren, as a priest and as a King in all our battles. What a mercy it is that Christ visits us as a priest, for we never fight against sin without being in some measure partakers of it.
I do not believe there ever was a controversy for the truth of God upon which any gracious man, though engaged upon the right side, could look back without some regrets and some tears. I much believe that even Martin Luther or John Knox, when upon their dying beds, though never regretting that they contended earnestly for the faith, yet felt that while they were in the flesh, something of flesh mingled with all that they did.
Thus it will be to the end, and even when contending against our own sins and lusts, yet, beloved, our very repentance has something in it to be repented of, and our very flying to the cross has something in it of a lingering from the cross, and therefore, something of evil.
Jesus, all hail! How much I need to meet You as a priest! And you, beloved, do you not feel that you need Him, too? Do you not, as you look upon Calvary and the flowing blood, confess that you need, in all spiritual conflicts, to meet Christ?”
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