Why Is Melchizedek Important? Gen. 14:18-20 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Why is Melchisedec Important?
Genesis 14:18-20 ; Hebrews 7:1-10
In this lesson we are going to look at why Melchisedec is so important. Many people get caught up with trying to figure out who he is or what happened to him after Abraham met with him. These facts would be nice to know but if we consume ourselves with these matters we will miss the really important ones. Let us look at what is found in the word of God and see the important things that God does give us concerning Melchisedec.
Some facts about Melchisedec (Genesis 14:18-20 ; Hebrews 7:1-4)
1) He was a Gentile and was a priest of the Most High God.
- Remember that the Jews are descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
2) He was King of Salem
- Salem is Jerusalem (Psalm 76:2-3)
3) He was also said to be King of Righteousness and King of Peace (Hebrews 7:2)
- There is a great Biblical Truth found in this truth about Melechisedec. Without righteousness there can be no peace (Isaiah 32:17)
4) He was a great man who received tithes of Abraham.
Why is Melchisedec so important? (Hebrews 7:11-22)
When God established the Old Testament Priesthood under the Law the tribe of Levi was the priest. This meant that to be a priest you would have to be from the tribe of Levi. In Hebrews 3:1 Jesus is said to be the High Priest for us now. But the problem is that he was from the tribe of Judah.
How can Jesus be our High Priest today? It is because he is a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. The term “order of Melchisedec” occurs 6 times in the book of Hebrews (5:6,10 ; 6:20 ;7:11,17,21). This is significant because 6 is the number connected with man in Bible. And as our High Priest Jesus is the one Mediator between God and man (1Timothy 2:5).
The Old Testament Law changed because it couldn’t save man. The priesthood also changed and we have a High Priest now that is not after the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus is connected with Melchisedec which is better because it is connected with an endless life. This is why Jesus is able to save us to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).
This priesthood through Jesus Christ is connected to a Gentile. Therefore in Jesus Christ today we are also a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). The sacrifices we offer today are spiritual ones.
Spiritual Sacrifices we are to offer today (Hebrews 13:15-17)
1) Giving thanks to his name.
2) To do good
3) To communicate
4) Obey those that have the rule over you.
Note that with these sacrifices God is well pleased.
Jesus Christ being a priest after the order of Melchisedec is very important for us today and it also connects us with a spiritual priesthood. Let us not be so concerned with who Melchisedec was but how he is connected to Jesus Christ.