Isn’t it amazing when you find out that your friend has clout? I mean, you know this person as a friend, and you hang out and converse with this person like normal. But then, you find out that this friend is friends with people you consider to be in the top echelon of society and has the hook up with a bunch of resources. This person is stronger emotionally and spiritually than anyone you know. This person also happens to be the most intelligent person, while also being very humble and encouraging to you. You think this person is just like you and me, but this person is more powerful than anyone. Wow!
This person is our Friend, Brother, King, and Savior. He is Jesus, Son of God. And He has so much to be said about Him that I could not finish after drinking a pot of coffee much less a simple cup of coffee. So many I will touch on a couple of attributes of Jesus.
I was reading Hebrews today. I read multiple times that He is “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” But who is Melchizedek? Genesis 14:18-20 says, “Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. He blessed him [Abram] and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” Didn’t Jesus make a new covenant with His disciples using bread and wine? Here is what the Bible says:
"As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take and eat it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:26-29 CSB)
This account can also be found in Mark 14: 22-25 and Luke 22:15-21. Three of the gospels record this account. Likely John didn’t add it to his gospel because he knew Matthew would have included it in his gospel. The bread representing His body, His very being and sustenance, and the wine representing His blood, His very life essence being poured out on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. These two items were given to Abram by Melchizedek as symbols, a shadow of what was to come. And what a foreshadowing it was!
We can also find out a little bit more about Melchizedek just in the very few mentions in the Scriptures. His story is told in Genesis 14:17-20, and he is mentioned in Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 5-7, specifically 7:1-4.He was the first priest/king of Scripture – a leader with a heart tuned to God.
"For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace. Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him. ... But one without this lineage collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior." - Hebrews 7:1-4, 6-7 CSB
The writer of Hebrews used the story of Abraham (then Abram)’s encounter with Melchizedek in Genesis 14 to show that Jesus is even greater than Abraham, father of the Jewish nation, and Levi (Abraham’s descendant). This showed that the Jewish priesthood (made up of Levi’s descendants) was inferior to Melchizedek’s priesthood (a type of Jesus Christ’s priesthood). His character reflected his love for God, and he reminds us of Jesus. Some believe that he was Jesus. Scripture is not clear on this view, but we can say truthfully that he showed the character of Jesus. He gave God the honor of the victory that Abram had. And we learn that we need to live for God. When we live for God, we are likely to be at the right place at the right time. If we examine our hearts regularly, asking ourselves “To whom or what is my greatest loyalty?”. If we can honestly answer “God”, then we are living for Him. If not, what is it that you have in that position in your heart? Why?
Jesus is the true King of Righteousness, the true King of Peace. He is far superior to anyone and anything. He is the Son of God, and He is our friend. In Psalm 25:14, we are told, “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant. (ESV)” In the ESV, this friendship is reserved for those welcome into His intimate company. The CSB translates ‘friendship’ as ‘secret counsel’. God offers intimate and lasting friendship to those who show reverence and respect to Him and to those who hold Him the highest honor. He is the Most High, and yet, He is our everlasting friend.
I can’t imagine what it is going to be like to be reunited with Him for eternity. To see Him forever and ever is going to be more than amazing! I am looking forward to that Day. I want to visibly see Him and hug Him and prostrate myself before Him and worship Him. And then we can walk together and talk together forever and ever. Oh if that day could come soon.
Gotta go fill up my cup…..
Coffee with Candee 