Jesus Bridges the Gap - Part 519

We are introduced to Melchisedec in the book of Hebrews (which is found in the New Testament). Here, He is the King of the City of Salem and the priest of the most high God. Abraham is returning from a battle (known as the battle of the kings) and is blessed enroute by Melchisedec. Some might ask - what was the blessing? Well, Melchisedec brought forth bread and wine.

So the scene looks like this. There stands Abraham (who is identified in the scriptures as the father of the faithful) before Melchisedec receiving a blessing of bread and wine from Melchisedec whose name means King of Righteousness and Justice. Note that in the scriptures Melchisedec is not recorded as having a father or mother. Neither is there a recorded genealogical ancestry. The Word states, "without father, without mother and without descent; having neither beginning of days, nor end of life." Further, it would appear that Melchisedec was neither born nor did He die. His life as recorded in the scriptures is a true symbol and representation of the Son of God.

Melchisedec, appearing with bread and wine blesses Abraham. Throughout, He continues to be a priest without interruption. No successor. Upon reflection, how great this man must have been. The lesser being blessed by the greater and still the blessing is symbolized in bread and wine. But there is more. When Melchisedec, the priest of the most high God, creator and possessor both of heaven and earth met Abraham, the bread and wine presented was symbolic of this Priest's own sacrificial death at Calvary.

For without the blood of Jesus the Christ, there would be no priesthood. The life that was represented was the life of God Himself as a son, without which there would be no priesthood. Our great high priest then is none other than the one who sacrificed His own holy spirit as a son. It was He Himself purchased our redemption once and for all.

Further, Melchisedec's priesthood ruled and reigned because He had something to offer us. That offering was Himself. It was He who bridged the gulf of our sin which separated God from man. It was He in these scriptures that was represented as the bread and wine. Didn't Jesus state, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)   

Therefore, it quickly becomes apparent from the reading that apart from His earthly ministry as a man -- pure, holy and undefiled -- no priesthood could ever exist. Remember that God looked for a man that was free of sin but because of Adam's transgression in the Garden, there wasn't a sinless man to be found. Indeed, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

But with the priest Melchisedec and His own natural sacrificed life represented by the bread and wine in His hand, He was able to bless Abraham. He knew the promise that was to come. That the same God Almighty who created man and woman in the beginning would become our Saviour -- the only mediator between God and man. He told Abraham, "Blessed be the Most High God which has delivered your enemies into your hands."

Notice the blessing that was placed on Abraham by the High Priesthood of God. At this point, He was reaching out to man. God was making a way when there was no way. For God commends His love toward us, in that while we played around in sin, he was laying down His life so that we might be redeemed. At this point, God had already decided His plan of salvation before we were formed in the womb.

Therefore, when we speak of salvation, we can remain confident that we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus that washes whiter than snow. When you or I approach God's throne of grace, we come with nothing. We do not need to. Why? Because the price of our redemption and our subsequent justification has been paid in full. The blood of Jesus is enough!

Today, the holy spirit of God ministers to us because we come in the name of the Spirit of God's holy child -- Jesus. The same Jesus who is now our great high priest after the Order of Melchisedec. Jesus on earth -- touched by our infirmities. Moved with compassion over the souls of you and I. Indeed, Jesus wept. The God who created us wept so that we might have life.

And the best part of all is that the blessing -- His gift of salvation for each and every one of us -- is free. Not my will Lord but thy will be done! Stand in the offering plate.